Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars has been ordered by W, the UKTV free-to-air entertainment channel. In this new five part series Katie Piper goes undercover in the American justice system to witness the birth and convoluted processing of infants and young children at some of the country’s most notorious jails.
Katie Piper, OBE said, “I am thrilled to be working with the W Channel in 2023. I have always had a strong interest in real-life documentary formats and Piper Behind Bars is already proving to be a fascinating project. As a long-standing volunteer in UK women’s prisons, I’m intrigued by the varying treatment within the US system. I have no idea what to expect when I’m across the Atlantic, but that’s the magic of a documentary. I can’t wait to see how this project unfolds.”
Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars, a Flicker Productions show, will premiere later this year on W and UKTV Play.
Over the course of five riveting episodes, Katie will meet women in prison who are not only negotiating their prison sentences but also the long-term effects of their incarceration on their children. Inmates at different facilities take varying approaches to helping expectant mothers and new mothers. Katie Piper’s Babies Behind Bars delves into the varying experiences of women and their children in prison, including the agonising decision of whether or not to place their infants for adoption.
Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars has been commissioned by Helen Nightingale, Head of Factual and Factual Entertainment and ordered for W by Adam Collings, channel director and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning. Executive producer for Flicker is Colleen Flynn with Kate South as series producer and Rosie Wilcox as director.
Adam Collings said “with subject matter seldom seen it feels like a real moment for the channel. Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars is a captivating format and we’re excited to give W viewers the chance to see mother and baby care through a completely new lens. Katie is the perfect fit for the channel and we’re delighted to welcome her to W.”
Helen Nightingale said “I am delighted to be commissioning this exciting new series Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars for W and to welcome Katie into our roster of brilliant talent on the channel. I can’t think of anyone better than Katie, with her unique take on the subject matter, to take us into the world of the women and children living within the US justice system. It’s going to be a fascinating and emotional watch.”
Colleen Flynn, Executive Producer said “we are thrilled to be working with W and Katie on such an important series. The complexities of women within the criminal justice system is a subject that desperately needs to be explored further and with Katie at the helm we hope to ask a pivotal question about whether anyone should ever have to give birth behind bars.”
Katie Piper: Babies Behind Bars will air on UKTV’s free-to-air channel W this year and is the latest celebrity led series to be announced following Alex Jones: Making Babies which premiered this month and the return of Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over in February. The series starts filming next month and will be also be available on UKTV Play.
