Parole.

[Toddlerteaplease]

Anyone watching? Really interesting.

Probation officers have to give their opinions in front of the person every time. Discussing risk factors and management plans plus what level of risk they are assessed at can be tricky, especially if the person disagrees. However, it's something that is done all the time so not as 'scary' as it may seem. Prior to Dominic Raab's changes last summer probation officers were expected to give a recommendation whether to release or not. Now no recommendations are made which has it's own challenges.

The online platform is still used. Prior to that it was held within the prison.

Am watching it now - can't believe the psychologist said she thought the con man showed empathy!

To me he came across as an overwhelmingly narcissistic man from the first 2 seconds.

I really enjoyed this.

Can anyone recommend anything similar please?

24hours in Police Custody has a similar feel to it.

There were others you didn't see in the programme. The prison offender supervisor for example, who would be either a prison officer or a probation officer.

Their behaviour and progress whilst in prison also has to be taken into account and Colin's was clearly very good.

Psychologists are generally all like that btw. It's their life's work to be "ever the optimist".

I guess they have the psychologist in front of the offender as you can then truly see if they have changed, or it's been an act. Having people discuss your character in front of you I am sure would bring the bad in some people to the fore.
The con man was odious. I never thought I'd be more behind a murderer being released than a con man! The murderer was also awful, don't get me wrong, especially after reading about what he did originally and then his repeat offence when he was released.

I felt like they made the right decision with both, although with the fraudster the decision brought its own problems in that he came out right at the end of his sentence without any supervision period so he'll be able to reoffend easily without anyone keeping tabs on what he's up to.

I think Colin deserves a chance, from what I saw he took responsibility and had obviously worked hard in prison to build some self control.

The fraud man seemed really strange and insincere. He was almost childlike in some ways, like he really couldn't understand the difference between right and wrong but knew he had to act like he was sorry. He seemed shocked that his bullshit story about the fictional Olga didn't work, I think that shows that he believes he is a lot more intelligent than he really is, and naive to think it would be taken at face value. There was no empathy there at all, just entitled narcissism and really bad acting

David had a hair cut and shave too in preparation for him leaving.

Why would he accept an invite to be filmed? If he got out (I know he's out now) then no woman would go near him.

I know he said his Russian girlfriend turned the tables on him but I didn't understand how that got him recalled?

To me, the whole thing about how she supposedly turned the tables on him and he got a sudden realisation, just seemed too clear cut and simple to me.
Maybe it did happen? I don't know but that's how it came across to me

Presumably he got recalled because he left the country without telling his probation officer while out on licence rather than anything the possibly make believe Russian woman actually did to him.

Another interesting case.

Not sure about his explanation for the tattoos.

Watching

Suntan seems to be an obvious "parole" ready person so far. Interesting to see how this pans out

Simran.

Not convinced by his story of the fire.

Aha his story of "I've always been a good boy" in the VTC earlier is falling to bits abit

Don't think he's particularly intelligent.

I believe this chap. But could he really offset all that misery and actually control himself? His rejection and anger?

Fascinating

Didn't set that coming.

Good heavens

Which bit?

Was not expecting that!

Tbh prison is probably their best chance of counselling given the state of MH provision now.