Channel 5 commissions Court Martial: Soldiers Behind Bars
August 2, 2023
Channel 5 has commissioned Emporium Productions to produce Court Martial: Soldiers Behind Bars, a 3 x 60′ observational series following serving soldiers who are convicted of serious civilian or military crimes as they serve their sentences under lock and key in the army’s own detention facility, the Military Corrective Training Centre.
Court Martial: Soldiers Behind Bars was filmed over several months, and with exclusive access inside MCTC for the first time in 30 years, it follows the tough everyday existence for soldiers who find themselves Court Martialed and detained under sentence, and the Military Provost Staff who are there to guard them. Described by one senior MCTC officer as an ‘employer’s prison’, this is a notorious establishment of back-to-basics discipline and a challenging penal regime, yet it puts deadly weapons and live ammunition into the hands of its inmates. It’s where breaking the strict rules can mean the end of your Army career and punishing training pushes some detainees to the limit.
From sex offenders to deserters to violent criminals and fraudsters, new detainees are faced with the strict daily regime of MCTC, introduced to the uncompromising rules they must follow, and the ultra-disciplined behaviours expected of them.
While some detainees will return to the military if they prove themselves at MCTC, others will find themselves discharged for good.
Guy Davies, Commissioning Editor, Non-Scripted, Channel 5/Paramount+ said: “The regime at MCTC is tough and uncompromising, which this series really captures. It’s raw and revealing, with real insight into what happens when a military career hits the rocks.
Emma Read, Managing Director at Emporium Productions added: “We are proud to present exclusive access for the first time in 30 years to Colchester’s Military Corrective Training Centre formerly known as the notorious Glasshouse. Emporium Productions has extensive experience filming within the world’s toughest prisons but this is one of the most fascinating places we have ever worked in, and we are delighted to have collaborated with the British Army to deliver this hard-hitting documentary series.”
The series will air this summer.
Court Martial: Soldiers Behind Bars is an Emporium production for Channel 5. The series has been commissioned by Guy Davies, Commissioning Editor, Non-Scripted, Channel 5/Paramount+, the Executive Producers are Emma Read & David Emerson for Emporium Productions. It was produced and directed by Ruben Pracas.