Inside Maximum Security


Inside Maximum Security is a Singaporean documentary series produced by CNA, which focuses on the lives of five inmates at B1 institution, the maximum-security section of Singapore's Changi Prison. The series, which consists of four episodes, aired between 16 January and 6 February 2022.

Synopsis

Inside Maximum Security focuses on B1 institution, the maximum-security section of Changi Prison, where it imprisons some of Singapores most hardened criminals and those who committed violent crimes or serving long sentences. The series contains the interviews of five selected inmates, whose daily lives behind bars were also filmed and shown on camera. Several prison officers and some of the inmates' family members and friends were also featured in the interviews filed for the documentary series, and there were also explanation of prison rules and prison life made by the officers. Rehabilitation programmes and the yard time of inmates were also shown on-screen.
Inmates:
;Khai
;Boon Keng
;Rusdi
;Graceson
;Iskandar

Episodes

  • EP1: Inside Maximum Security - S1E1: Life In Lockdown
  • EP2: Inside Maximum Security - S1E2: Keeping Bonds Beyond Bars
  • EP3: Inside Maximum Security - S1E3: Breaking Bad Habits
  • EP4: Inside Maximum Security - S1E4: Road To Freedom

    Production

produced the series, and the filming took place at Changi Prison over a four-month period between October 2021 and January 2022. Before that, the production team pre-interviewed 22 inmates who volunteered to take part, with a majority of them hoping to make use of the filming project to remind themselves to not re-offend and come back to prison again. In the end, five inmates - Khai, Boon Keng, Rusdi, Graceson and Iskandar - were selected for the interviews and filming of their lives behind bars.

Streaming

The series is currently available for streaming on YouTube, Netflix, Discovery Asia and meWATCH.

Reception

Inside Maximum Security was positively received by the general public. However, there were also criticisms aimed at some of the unfavourable prison living conditions, including the absence of beds and electric fans inside the cells, which the Law Minister K. Shanmugam responded that beds in prison cells pose a hygiene issue and security risk and may add to contraband smuggling in jail, though beds can still be given to elderly prisoners and those who had medical conditions. He also responded that adding the fans in cells might also lead to inmates possibly hanging themselves.
On 23 June 2022, the series received the award for Best Documentary at the World Media Festivals 2022.

''Beyond Maximum Security''

A three-part sequel documentary series, Beyond Maximum Security, followed Khai, Boon Keng, Graceson, and Iskandar, for nearly a year after the original documentary aired. This sequel series premiered on 20 December 2022, and was broadcast on CNA and also released on YouTube.