Prisoners’ Wives - POPS press release ‘Prisoners Wives’, the much-anticipated addition to BBC’s original drama season, shines light on the other victims of crime, the families of offenders; the hidden casualties. Starring Emma Rigby and Jonas Armstrong the series is set around the lives of four very different women, highlighting the impact of imprisonment upon family life and the stigma families face as they come to terms with the challenges of being ‘prisoners’ wives’. Behind the drama lie the real-life stories and experiences of men and women who have faced the reality of supporting a family member through a prison sentence. In 2010 POPS (Partners of Prisoners and Families Support Group) were approached by Tiger Aspect Productions to act as consultants for the series ‘Prisoner’s Wives’. Established by families of prisoners in 1988, POPS now deliver support services to families throughout the Criminal Justice System both locally and nationally. As a charity directed and developed by families POPS pride ourselves on our user-led approach and were keen that the voices and experiences of offenders’ families were reflected in any drama concerning them. As a result, a group of 15 family members were invited to share their experiences with Tiger Aspect, guiding the development of the script and visiting the set to meet the cast. It was important to the families that the series represented the trauma of arrest and the reality of the emotional and practical issues that arise when supporting a loved one through a prison sentence. Stigma, from within families and communities, is a significant issue and it is our hope that the series will help to break down some of the barriers families face and promote better understanding. We recognise that as a drama series there will be twists and turns that many regular families do not experience when supporting a relative in prison, but our initial impression is of a drama which highlights the isolation, confusion and distress that many families experience and which tackles head on the reality that imprisonment can affect people from all walks of life. If you would like any further information about POPS please get in touch with us on 0161 702 1000 or by emailing rebecca@partnersofprisoners.co.uk. If you are a family member supporting a relative within the Criminal Justice System and you require information or support you can contact the National Offenders’ Families Helpline for free and in confidence on 0808 808 2003 or by email on info@offendersfamilieshelpline.org
I'm looking forward to watching this. I'm dying to see whether it is real life or just another OTT drama. xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm a lifers wife so I'm waiting with baited breath and will give my opinion when I've watched it tomorrow ......
ReplyDeleteOMG I loved the BBC drama and thought it brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI just cried my eyes out at the drama. Some of it was me!
ReplyDeleteAs a mother who's son is in Prison, I am so pleased that Prisoners wifes has come on the BBC.. I am glad they are finally realising that it is a complete nightmare to have someone you love so much taken away from you..especially in the beginning, I just thought I was going to fall apart and never beable to cope with my son being in prison. He has been there for a year now and has one and half years to go.. I have learned to live with it and I wake up each morning and no I have to keep going.. I pray for the day he comes out to us again. Thank you BBC for bringing our side of things to light..
ReplyDeleteI agree with anonymous, and hope that the public see us in a different light. I too thank the BBC because it has been a long time coming where a programme has portrayed us in the right light. My man is serving 8 years and my love goes out to families who have a loved-one serving a lot longer..
ReplyDeleteHi. I am still a little dubious, simply because it is a drama. I did enjoy the first episode( if that's the right word for it ) and I thought it was well written and acted out. No doubt there will be the characters court trial coming up, so again, this will make for interesting viewing. I have been a prison visitor for years, so I am eager to see how the programme portrays life's wives.
ReplyDeleteIm a teenage girl and my dad is a lifer... so i would like to see the problems that teenagers go through because i feel alone in all of this...
ReplyDeleteI really feel for you.. I am 44 and a mother of a son who is in prision and its hard enough for me... There is plenty of prison helplines out there for you to contact.. they are very friendly and understanding..they will listen and give you good advice on how to cope.. you will realise you are not alone as there is many teenagers going through the same feelings as you and they helped me so much.. you can call them as much as you want and as often as you want. .. its a free number too 08088082003... All the best x
DeleteI disagree with the whole thing to be quite honest.. The BBC should have produced a hard hitting documentary on the real deal..
ReplyDeleteMy partner has been in prison for 4 years and has got to serve another 3 before he gets out. I watched it as well and I thought it was ok. I will watch them all to see if they get it right and what the public think of it or should I say us.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was very realistic ,especially when the character Gemma put the music on and smelt his t-shirt I was crying ! and as I have not been able to visit my partner for over 7 months due to location I seem to do that alot ! Lets hope they show more of how the whole family copes with a loved one inside especially the kids.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see a documentary though I think it is important to show prison life from all angles.
The drama is a gripper!! Tonight's episode was a bit much especially when Gemma flung herself on her stomach when she saw a cop car. Shes preggy and it made her out to look desperate. It makes her out to be a right bore as well, but that could be down to the actress as she hasnt much expression going on. Just my two pence worth
ReplyDelete