Prisoner and Escort

It's New Years Eve, and Norman Stanley Fletcher is escorted from London to Slade Prison in the far North of England to begin a five-year sentence for stealing a lorry. But it's a long journey from London to HMP Slade – can Fletch escape his escort?

First broadcast: 1st Apr 1974

1. New Faces, Old Hands

It's New Years Day, and Fletch enters Slade Prison, along with two fellow prisoners – Lennie Godber, a young Birmingham man imprisoned for the first time, and another old-timer, Heslop. Fletch introduces Godber to the ways of survival inside – “little victories” over the warders and other staff – although his scheming doesn't quite have the desired effect.

First broadcast: 5th Sep 1974

2. The Hustler

Gambling fever has hit Slade – subjects include the number of bricks in a cell, and the number of eggs laid by the hens on the prison farm. Fletch has organised a big game in a secret location, but will anyone actually win?

First broadcast: 12th Sep 1974

3. A Night In

Godber moves into the bottom bunk in Fletcher's cell. Unable to sleep, the two spend the night discussing their hopes, fears, and the lives they left outside.

First broadcast: 19th Sep 1974

4. A Day Out

Fletcher and Godber join MacKay and Barrowclough's work party, digging drainage ditches for the council. When MacKay calls into the village, the party take advantage of Barrowclough's easygoing nature, but get more than they bargained for after taking shelter from the elements in a church.

First broadcast: 26th Sep 1974

5. Ways and Means

Demoted to making fishing nets, Fletcher is keen to get back into the governor's good books. After offering advice to fellow "knitter" McLaren on curbing his short temper, Fletch attempts to make amends with the governor when McLaren forgoes angry outbursts for a more peaceful rooftop protest.

First broadcast: 3rd Oct 1974

6. Men Without Women

Fletcher has been offering his advice to his fellow prisoners on the topic of romance. Letters written home result in a visiting room full of wives and sweethearts, but Fletcher's visitor is his eldest daughter. Should he be following his own advice?

First broadcast: 10th Oct 1974