Prisoner: Cell Block H

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Network Ten (ended 1986)
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Show Summary

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Prisoner (Prisoner: Cell Block H in the United Kingdom) is a long running Australian soap about the inmates at the fictional women's prison Wentworth Detention Centre. The show ran from 1979 to 1986, with 692 episodes being made in total.
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Episode Guide

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S 8 :  Ep 104 Aired 12/11/86
S 8 :  Ep 103 Aired 12/9/86
S 8 :  Ep 102 Aired 12/4/86
S 8 :  Ep 101 Aired 12/2/86
S 8 :  Ep 100 Aired 11/27/86

Cast & Crew

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Prisoner: Cell Block H News

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Fan Reviews (8)

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  • Women in prison....

    10
    "Perfect"
    By iamthelexx, Apr 01, 2009
    Running for 692 episodes, from 1978 - 1986 Prisoner (branded Prisoner Cell Block H) external to Australia, concentrated on the lives of the inmates and staff at Wentworth Detention Centre. These women were from all walks of life, the school teacher who murdered her husband for having an affair, the scorned mother who killed her ex husband for letting down her children whilst she was in prison for murdering his mistress, the petty larcenist opportunist, the drug dealer, the innocent, and the guilty. Some of the officers were as bent as the criminals, the most memorable being Joan "The Freak" Ferguson, who got her come-uppance in the final episode....moreless

  • One for the history books.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By CellBlocknutter, Apr 07, 2008
    Prisoner made quite a few mistakes, some of the actors weren't great, and the sets could have been better. Yet what it got right was all that any shows needs to get right and thats good stories with memorable charecters.

    Bea, Lizzie, Vinegar Vera, The Freak amongsts others are for those who watched it, if only casually, are charecters that you never forget. PCBH has some of the best charecters ever made, and are largly unique. DIspite its obvious flaws this shows stongest point, is the compelling chrecters it creates.

    Prisoner remains a very controversial show, the issues its delt with over 20 years ago have often not been delt with as poiniantly as in this show. Furthermore new controveries arise. It dealing of homosexuality, is bound to be seen as politically incorect in todays world. Gay watchdogs if you believe the cynics would want it censored. Nevertheless homosexuality was delt with excellently, and from a historical viewpoint is now fascinating to watch.

    Prisoner will proabably be always remember for its flaws and cheap look, fast is forgotton is its huge international success and longevity, as well as how new and different it was for the time.

    Theres more to this show than meets the eye, its suprising how easy it is to enjoy.moreless

  • This show was the best. Qween Bea was the best top dog Wentworth had ever seen.Seris finale was great but thought could have been more dramatic with the women managing to get to the freak in solitary.moreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    By peachey1601, Feb 17, 2007
    great seris from start to finish. This show always had you on the edge of your seat.With Qween Bea rulling the roost it was fantastic she always had the womens best interest at heart. lizzie was great always trying to make her brew"birdsworths brew". Meg Jackson/Morris was great glad she got the deputy govenors ship when she did. The FREAK was great too. This show should be brought back. You can still see today that PCBH was a hit as all the new prison dramas now like bad girls has similar story lines as prisoner did.moreless

  • Loved it!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By loverob, Mar 18, 2006
    This show was maligned for bad acting & wobbly sets, but hey thats what made it enduring. The characters were hilariously good with tragic undertones e.g.Frankie Doyle or Vera Bennett. Inmate Bea Smith was too matriarchal as the original top dog, her well intentioned anti-drugs stance didn't ring true in place where drugs or the effects of drugs are a reality. Those in authority at Wentworth were ineffectual types such as Meg Jackson(annoyingly upbeat) & Erica Davidson(someone who should be doing coffee mornings or charity work), until the arrival of Joan Ferguson. Joan was a corrupt lesbian officer who terrorised the inmates & undermined her superiors wherever possible, when most if the original characters left this uniformed monster carried the show til the end of it's run.moreless

  • One of the best shows ever made in Australia.

    8.5
    "Great"
    By DennyRosario, Jan 18, 2006
    I think I was about 7 or 8 when I first watched Prisoner. Then never again until 10 years later. Gee I loved this show.. My favourites would have to be Lizzie, Bea, Rita and Meg Morris although I sometimes couldn't stand her whiny voice. "Are you satisfied? Have you got what you wanted" became a catch phrase with me and my mate Dougie. Although I know the series off by heart, I still miss it being on Tele on a regualar basis. Just one question though what did ever happen to Sandy Edwards. Did she die or was she killed by Kate Peterson. I know there are theories, but was there any actual proof she was murdered? And another thing did Rita die in the last episode or was everyone crying for nothing.
    moreless
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Prisoner: Cell Block H Forums


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Replies
  • Post-fire changes at Wentworth
    Hello, It's my first time posting here, although I've loved the show "PRISONER" for decades! Saw it back during the early 1980's...
    By Coffeegulper, Oct 19, 2010
    10/19/10
    1
    Reply
  • Re-runs
    do you think they will ever show them again? I use to run home from school so i could watch it with my mam. Then years ago they st...
    By lyndzi, May 22, 2008
    06/10/10
    4
    Reply
  • Who's the prettiest inmate ever
    It's got to be Karen Travers (the enchanting Peta Toppano).
    By loverob, Jun 08, 2006
    12/30/09
    11
    Reply
  • Revival Idea
    Here's my idea for the premise of a much wanted revival of Prisoner cell block H.Its 2008 and Wentworth is now a model Prison and ...
    By CellBlocknutter, Apr 30, 2008
    03/31/09
    3
    Reply
  • DVD release news
    Just wanted to give the Prisoner fans here (not that there seem to be many of us!) a heads-up that a full-series (PAL, so not suit...
    By tansydog, Aug 31, 2006
    11/19/06
    3
    Reply

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