The drama has been praised by viewers and critics (Photo: BBC)
The Prison Reform Trust has praised new BBC One drama Time for ‘telling a fundamental truth’ about the UK’s prison system.
The organisation’s director Peter Dawson hit out at ‘years of political neglect’ as he had kind words for the new three-part series show – which stars Sean Bean and Stephen Graham – and how it deals with major issues on screen.
In a statement to Metro.co.uk, he said: ‘Time condenses a lot of experiences into one man’s story, but it is telling a fundamental truth about our prison system.
‘Too many people – many of them very unwell – are being forced to live in overcrowded, dilapidated prisons.
‘Years of political neglect have produced a system that makes life more dangerous both for those inside it and for the communities they will rejoin on release. This government, with its addiction to more prison, is making exactly the same mistake.’
The show – which started last night and is available in full on iPlayer – was written by Jimmy McGovern and sees Sean’s character Mark Cobden sent to prison for accidentally killing someone, and he must quickly adapt to his new surroundings while coping with being separated from his loved ones.