Within These Walls: For Life (ITV 11 Apr 1975 at 9.00pm, with Paul Darrow)

In For Life Officer Berryman seems to be going through a crisis of confidence, her mind is definitely not on her job and she has a serious run in with troublesome inmate Nellie Evams. However for the second time this season Mrs Spencer (who was a witness) lies about what she saw, again to prevent a fellow officer getting in trouble.

Meanwhile prisoner Agnes Morris tries to kill herself after she discovers that her husband has found somebody else. It’s only quick reactions from Pat Berryman that saves her life. Both Mrs Armitage and Faye think that Pat Berryman could get promotion to chief officer if she was willing to take the exam. Pat makes it clear that she is simply not interested.

David Butler, series creator and writer of this episode, makes another of his occasional appearances as the Reverend Prentice. Paul Darrow also makes another appearance on the show as Janet Harker’s boyfriend Dr Richard Green. He has just got an important promotion and proposes to her. He also expects Janet to give up her job and make the move to Bristol. It’s a difficult decision because her job is hugely important to her – before she can make a decision she is caught up in a major issue with Nellie Evans who sets fire to her bedding and beats Janet quite badly. When Richard issues her with an ultimatum

It’s a very strong episode to close out the season, all of the main cast get screen time and it’s another excellent David Butler script. Very prescient as it happens – inmate Thelma Baker is involved with another woman and tells Reverend Prentice that she wishes he could marry them, obviously at that time gay marriage was a definite no no, but having thought about it he tells her he would be happy to give them a blessing.

production details
UK / ITV – London Weekend Television / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Friday 11 April 1975 at 9.00pm

Writer: David Butler / Production Design: Bryan Bagge / Director: Philip Casson

Series: Within These Walls Season 2 Episode 13

cast
Googie Withers as Faye Boswell
Mona Bruce as Mrs Armitage
Jerome Willis as Charles Radley
Janet Lees Price as Janet Harker
Sonia Graham as Martha Parrish
Raymond Adamson as Bill Boswell
David Butler as Reverend Prentice
Beth Harris as Miss Clarke
Denys Hawthorne as Dr Mayes
Diana Rayworth as Officer Berryman
Elaine Wells as Officer Spencer
Betty Romaine as Mrs Weeks
Maria Charles as Nellie Evans
Christina Greatrex as Thelma Baker
Sheila Grant as Agnes Morris