Mountjoy Prison documentary ?The Joy? proves ratings winner for TV3

TV3 GROUP RELEASE                                                                               

IMMEDIATE: Tuesday 10th November, 2015

 

Mountjoy Prison documentary ‘The Joy’ proves ratings winner for TV3

 

The series premiere has proved a ratings success reaching 339,000 viewers.

 

The brand new four-part series lifts the lid on life inside Mountjoy, one of Ireland's largest prison facilities.

 

In next week’s episode, a serious incident in the Challenging Behaviour Unit sees several officers hospitalised in one of the worst attacks on prison staff in the history of the service.

 

‘The Joy’ episode 2 airs Monday (16th November) at 10pm on TV3

 

The series premiere of TV3’s hard-hitting documentary series The Joy has proved a ratings success, reaching 339,000 viewers or approximately 16% of the available viewing population. An average of 201,000 people tuned in to watch the compelling series which lifts the lid on life inside one of Ireland’s largest prison facilities.

 

From the governor's boardroom to the prison landings to the punishment block, this brand new four-part series gains unprecedented access to the inner workings of this notorious Irish institution. Filmed over the course of nine months, the series gets under the skin of this closed community, shining a light on the challenging and often dangerous work undertaken by prison staff and on the harsh reality of prison life for those behind the cell door. Through candid interviews and immersive, fly-on-the-wall footage The Joy uncovers the hardship, humour, heartbreak and humanity on both sides of the bars.

 

In the first episode, management made the tough decision to install screens into the visiting boxes for D-wing prisoners, to cut down the increasing level of contraband entering the prison. This means that contact with loved ones and visitors will now no longer be possible. Mountjoy West’s Governor Kavanagh expected a hostile reaction from the inmates and, as anticipated, on the day the screens were fitted a violent incident broke out in the school on D Wing. Whether the newly installed screens have heightened anger or whether it’s an isolated incident, this is something prison chiefs will need to take a look at.

 

In the next episode of the series, which will be airing on Monday 16th November at 10pm, staff in Mountjoy West are steeling themselves for the inevitable backlash from inmates, with the screened visits now in place for all D-Wing prisoners. One prisoner, Paul is hoping to prove to his girlfriend on the outside that he has turned his back on a drug-fuelled past by making it to the Training Unit. Over in the semi-open facility, Officer Moran is trying to use sport as a way of getting prisoners on the right track - his Training Unit FC is hard at work preparing for a tournament against Bohemians Football Club. Conor, one of the prisoners on the team, is hoping to get out on temporary release for a college course. Meanwhile, over in the main jail, prisoner James is about to get a surprise transfer. With the jail almost full, tensions are at boiling point and there will be violent consequences for both prisoners and staff. A serious incident in the Challenging Behaviour Unit sees several officers hospitalised in one of the worst attacks on prison staff in the history of the service.

 

The Joy is produced by Midas Productions for TV3.

 

‘The Joy’ episode 2 airs Monday (16th November) at 10pm on TV3

 

Images have been sent to your picture desks and are available on request 

 

ENDS

 

 

For further information

Sharon McHugh – Head of Press & Publicity – 087 922 4143

Ciara Byrne – Press Officer – 087 319 9732

Clodagh Egan – Press Officer - 086 328 0141

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NOTES TO EDITOR

 

The Joy - ratings:

 

Total Reach

339,000 (TV3 &+1)

Average thousands

201,000 (TV3 &+1)

Peak

246,000 (TV3 only)

Average share for Individuals              

15.8% (TV3 only)

Average share for Adults 15+               

15.5% (TV3 only)

 

About Midas Productions

Midas Productions is a leading television production company dedicated to creating thought-provoking, entertaining, challenging and informative television programming.

 

www.midasproductions.ie