5 has commissioned Richard Madeley On Murder Row, a new feature length documentary presented by broadcaster Richard Madeley and produced by ITN Productions, offering rare access inside one of the most controversial prisons in the world.
The film follows Madeley as he enters, Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT), the vast maximum security prison that has become the cornerstone of El Salvador President Nayib Bukele’s war on gangs.
With exceptional access to the entire site, Madeley confronts the realities of life inside this extraordinary facility. He talks to the inmates living under one of the strictest prison regimes in the world, made famous by images of the hundreds of tattooed inmates sitting cross-legged on prison landings. He’s also talks to the guards responsible for running the prison 24/7.
As well as his stint inside the jail Richard also visits the tough urban areas where the gangs still exist to find out what the impact of CECOT has been.
Richard Madeley said: “I was genuinely thrilled to be asked to front this film for 5. It’s not every day you’re given the chance to step inside a place as extraordinary and talked about as CECOT. What struck me straight away was the sheer scale of it, and the stories behind it. In meeting the people who run the prison and those living inside it, what unfolds is a fascinating and often surprising look at justice, security and the human realities behind the headlines. It’s been a remarkable experience.”
Guy Davies, Consultant Editor for Commissioning 5, added: “This access to CECOT was a tantalising prospect. Richard is at heart a first-class popular journalist and we were thrilled to get the chance for him to serve some time there. I think viewers will be very surprised by the results.”
Andy Dunn, Senior Executive Producer, ITN Productions, said: “Gaining access to CECOT, the most secretive and notorious prison in the world, took months of negotiation. It was really important for Richard to experience the extreme conditions there first hand and he takes us on a compelling and unique journey as he considers the effectiveness and ethics of such a harsh regime.”
Richard Madeley On Murder Row will air later this year and was commissioned by Guy Davies, Consultant Editor for Commissioning ‘5′. The 1 x 90’ ITN Productions documentary is executive produced by Andy Dunn, with Sam Budd and Oliver Price as producer/ directors.
Jon Creamer
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