Peter Hitchens: "It Often Seemed Quite Close To Violence" - Banged Up Behind Bars

Imagine being locked up with ex-convicts for four days, fearing for your safety every moment. This is exactly what journalist Peter Hitchens experienced in a recent documentary. Hitchens, who initially thought the television company would prioritize safety, found himself in a situation where anything could go wrong. In this eye-opening experiment, Hitchens gives us a glimpse into the power dynamics, lack of authority, and the shocking reality of life behind bars.
Hitchens, known for his strong opinions, went into the documentary with certain preconceptions about prison life. However, his time inside HMP Shrewsbury shattered any illusions he may have had. The experience was far more challenging and frightening than he anticipated. There were moments of nervousness and a constant feeling that something could go wrong at any time. Hitchens admitted that if given the chance to leave on the third morning, he would have gladly taken it.
Peter Hitchens told TalkTV's Mike Graham that the whole experience, "often seemed quite close to violence."
#peterhitchens #talktv #mikegraham #prison #palestine #gaza #israel

[@talktv]

Could you survive in Prison?

[@mrpopo8298]

Yes.

[@bigjoeangel]

No.

[@mkaz3997]

Maybe? 😁

[@ruthcollins2841]

Depends on which prison. Probably not.😮

[@kerbal666]

4 DAYS!! I had to endure 9 months! So yeah I HAD to survive prison. It's not as bad as he makes out but coming from his toff background I'm not surprised he had a shock.

[@valeriegrimshaw1365]

My brother was the only white pupil in his 4th year class at secondary school in Newham in 1983. Every day he was targetted and beaten up until the last lesson teacher told him to leave early and run home. This was despite reports to the head teacher by my parents on many occasions. At age 15 my brother refused to attend school and missed all his exams. The council's response? They took mum and dad to court for his non-attendance.

[@anthonyreed480]

That's how it is. They're allowed to beat us, and we have to take it. If you don't like that, vote and act accordingly 🤷‍♂️

[@ryanstjust4930]

The ONLY white pupil in a 1983 East London secondary tear group… OK… then everyone started clapping

[@postmanpat9799]

​@@ryanstjust4930what do you mean here? I am from Newham and started school there in 1992, it was certainly the case that there were very few white kids at school with me then, I can't say I really had any opinion on it at the time, it's just what we knew

[@kali_pow3389]

Not in 1983, no way, us lot remember it the other way round tbh. Today 2023 in certain parts of London and even other places, I can beleive that yes. I fully hear what your saying and one thing I can confidently say is if I went to school today in 2023 I would probably not have to go through a lot of what I had to.

[@papaspears5035]

I had the same in Manchester in 1990. I was told to leave early and teachers felt so bad for me. The paid and powerlessness as Hitch says here..the kids who targeted me had the power. I'd have to run to another borough and get a different bus. Luckily my year 11 I grew yo 6f5 a twated one lad for squeezing a kids breast. I'm an electrician now and I'd be surprised if my bullies are even alive because I've heard things about them dying through drugs unfortunately. It's very easy to be a nice person.

[@markgullick1725]

I once saw Mr. Hitchens stop his beautiful bicycle - a Raleigh, I think - opposite Hyde Park at a red traffic light. There was no other traffic. He waited, not for amber but for green. I introduced myself and informed Mr. H that I admired his work. He was courteous and receptive to courtesy. His behaviour at the traffic lights is symbolic of an Englishness which has now waned.

[@richards9407]

Hyde Park and no other traffic? Really?

[@barrylongstaff2816]

@@richards9407do you often accuse people of lying ? Just curious

[@markgullick1725]

Is your name really Barry Longstaff? If not, you are lying.@@barrylongstaff2816

[@serenityinside1]

Must say I agree a lack of traffic is hard to believe. 🤔

[@George-nv1ri]

​@@serenityinside1he might have been out doing uber ears at 4am

[@kevinsmith2993]

It’s harder to get into prison than university these days says it all

[@brelshar4968]

I love it when people say "i'll never commit a crime, i'll never delete someone, I won't go to prison".. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US.. is capable of evil things.

[@I_Don_t_want_a_handle]

You do not have to be evil to go to prison, you do not even have to be bad. You can just be unlucky and say, miss a red light and run someone over or post a spicy meme. There are many crimes on the law books that can get you a prison sentence. Not paying the fine for not have a TV licence is one.

[@lilacfloyd]

"EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US.. is capable of evil things." And good things...

[@Jordanbackland]

​@@I_Don_t_want_a_handle😂 you'd never see the inside of a cell for not paying a TV licence. Please don't be so ridiculous.

[@I_Don_t_want_a_handle]

@@Jordanbackland ​ @JayTay189 No, but you will if you don't pay the fine. Please learn to read.

[@SynphamyMusic]

@@I_Don_t_want_a_handle It might not be evil but you're still responsible if you run a red light or if you fail to pay a fine, to call these things 'unlucky' is ridiculous. It's hilarious how people love to predictably whine about low they think the bar is for committing a crime and then act completely oblivious when they face consequences for their own stupid actions.

[@briangc1972]

I have been in several prisons in Arizona as a contractor doing work. His stories pale in comparison to what we saw and heard from inmates. Keep in mind, the 8 inmates assigned to assist us were the cream of the crop; it was an earned privilege for them to work and assist us. We also had an armed guard with us at all times. Still you could feel the tension in the air. You could see the look of hatred from other inmates with whom we had never met or spoken; the raw anger, hatred and evil in their eyes. Every middle school student should have to go on a field trip to a prison and take a walk down the hallways between the cells. Crime would drop significantly if we did that.

[@Bollibompa]

Lol, as if you're the first brainlet who thought of that. They even made it into a TV show.

[@stevenlarge895]

Would imagine American prisons are a whole different animal

[@gerwynbirtles7505]

Nice to see Peter happy and not throwing his toys out the pram.

[@tennysonfordblackbird2087]

The countrys gone to the dogs and no one should be surprised that the prisons are full😅

[@23Beau]

You are a national treasure, courageous and a voice of reason much needed at this time.

[@InfinityProTeam]

What did you make of his interview with Alex O’Connor?

[@M8d9R]

​@@InfinityProTeam Peter Hitchens acted like a pathetic little baby, and was clearly threatened by being bested by O'Connor.

[@John-nb6ep]

@@M8d9R He just got fed up of a sperg drug debate again.

[@nuuky]

Very true most of us do not realize that we could easily go to prison for a single slip while driving a car. It could could come as a result of someone walking out in front of us.

[@Matt-kt9nm]

The bigger problem is sending that person to the same place as career criminals. There's a huge difference between the two.

[@BarriosGroupie]

Sadly, prison is a common step for some kids brought up in the care system, so that they can survive in our competitive society.

[@XYisnotXX]

Clear and on target as ever Peter, your value to us all is underestimated Sir.

[@ManGoatHamburger]

“If you called your dad he could stop it all”

[@annastybeach9064]

Living amongst threat is experienced by many people, whether growing up in an unstable home with the threat of a step parent 24/7 (which becomes normal) or being a boy in a rough area just trying to make it through the day without having your head kicked in. Mr Hitchens will NEVER know this REAL threat, it stays with you throughout your life and you are always ready to defend yourself even when don't need to. His experience in boarding school and with selected prison situations will never be real threat.

[@hermansohier7643]

Did you grew up in this violent situation? I

[@anthonyreed480]

Perfect comment. I'm a Hitchens fan, but this is one subject he'll really never be expert on.

[@rachellandry3116]

?!? dafk makes u think ur trauma is more pathetic than his?!? psychological trauma aint a contest. cripes, u peeps...

[@AsphodeliaD]

Actually for some, the experience of boarding school was not so dissimilar - rife with bullying, ultra sadistic teachers, an atmosphere of incarceration, and no parents to protect. Our 'leaders' mostly passed through this system and it might explain significant aspects of the culture and society we have created.

[@ReturnOfTheJ.D.]

When I found out a step-parent of 13 years had kidney problems and needed dialysis and a transplant, no matter where I looked I felt no empathy. Normal these days is avoiding that person at all times. I have no interest in engaging with people who've harboured ill-will to me for almost thirty years and attempted to rob my and my siblings inheritance, possibly succeeding.

[@CrossPurposes]

I know it's not how the format works but I'd like to see Peter ask Mike questions just once.

[@peterwilkinson2998]

Yes, lets all hear exactly what they think.

[@Qkano]

10:05 = 4 police officers in the street. ? Must be heading to deal with someone who posted a rude word on facebook ... of the exponentially expanding list of illegal words and phrases to be covered by the online safety bill.

[@Rambletripe1]

I had four police officers turn up to my door a few months back. They were there to ask me to stop reporting crimes and gave me five alternative ways to contact them about the illegal all night street parties (drugs, antisocial behaviour, music etc.)

[@goodyeoman4534]

I hope you ignored them and carried on reporting it. If everyone did the same, they'd not be able to fudge the crime stats.

[@Rambletripe1]

@@goodyeoman4534 I did indeed ignore them, it's the only way to get issues taken seriously as they track crimes on a heat map. If you screw up their heat map they have address it.

[@randomname3109]

snitch

[@goodyeoman4534]

@@randomname3109 Keyboard warrior. I'd snitch on you in a heartbeat if you were disturbing me, saddo.

[@randomname3109]

@@goodyeoman4534 oh noes 😭😭

[@neighbourhoodmusician]

There have been studies that show that people are more deterred from committing crime based on their perception of how likely it is that they're going to get caught, rather than the severity of the crime. There is obviously a balance to be found but I would say that the increase in the prison population goes hand in hand with the underinvestment in the police and the legal system.

[@BlueOstinato]

Fascinating. Could you please be as kind to tell me what some of these studies are? I'm really interested in this topic and would love to know more.

[@patricka.crawley6572]

Talk TV is never seen as close to journalism.

[@mrpopo8298]

Steroids in prison is 100% happening, not just the prisoners either.

[@alanmcbride6658]

Ok. Thanks. Not good.

[@hubrisnaut]

I did 7 days in jail and read half of all the books the anemics wheeled in on carts, some I requested.. and took two showers, looking as dangerous as I could muster. There was something interesting about how they socialized around "The Price Is Right" tv show every day.

[@saintfrancis412]

Interestingly, just looking at the stats - the suicide rate in UK prisons is roughly 1:1000 people per year. For the general public the rate is also about 1:1000 people per year.

[@George-nv1ri]

So not extraordinary then

[@cleetorres1351]

Only problem with this mathematical assumption. Is this . The internal incarcerated suicide rate is one in 877 And outside its one in ten thousand .

[@George-nv1ri]

@@cleetorres1351 so the commenter was just blatantly lying?

[@cleetorres1351]

@@George-nv1ri maybe or perhaps misunderstood or I'm wrong in which case I apologise. Peace

[@andykemp9777]

I’ve never been to prison, and I hope I never do. I’m guessing, but I dare say no experience of prison like conditions will ever get anywhere near the actual experience of prison.

[@MichaelUrbanReed]

man, I miss his brother so much

[@naysayer1238]

Yawn

[@lauraj8429]

Me too

[@NZealandKiwi]

No-one asked

[@redjacc7581]

why doesnt the home secretary tell the chief of police to sort out these jihadis or she will remove them and get someone who will. This government is ALL TALK and NO FEKING ACTION.

[@AsphodeliaD]

The days of Fletcher, Godber and Mr BarrowClough are over then I take it? I mean they obviously never really existed but back then they could at least be imagined.

[@sirrathersplendid4825]

My neighbour returned not too long ago from nine months in prison. Says he spent most of the time sitting around playing cards and joking. Only thing he really missed was booze.

[@danieIlondon]

Did he walk off this interview?

[@MaverickSeventySeven]

A little off topic to those who oppose the Death Penalty - What is the penalty for those doing "Life without Parole" when they commit murder in Prison? - and why do those who oppose that death Penalty EXPECT OTHERS TO BE RESONSIBLE FOR THEIR CONTROL!!!???

[@tonyoliver2750]

RESONSIBLE?

[@I_Don_t_want_a_handle]

The death penalty is a cop out.

[@chuckyarlaw7380]

@@tonyoliver2750what?

[@tonyoliver2750]

@@chuckyarlaw7380 Read the original poster's comment and you'll understand.

[@chuckyarlaw7380]

@@tonyoliver2750 I see. Good job tony. Apologies. 👍

[@rupertwroe]

I'm so depressed.

[@captaingrammar]

Talk to someone.

[@patrickkirwan3353]

Nice to see Peter smile for a change. Other guests seem to irritate him,😂

[@MagicalMukhina]

Yes indeed but he doesn't suffer fools gladly!

[@lorenzbroll0101]

The only time I see them outside their cars and in any numbers is when they are in the local supermarket getting their sandwiches

[@quip1584]

uncontrolled immigration no doubt a contributing factor

[@earlcollins9310]

Why does anyone think it shouldn’t be terrible 🤔 surely that’s the whole point

[@spivvo]

Sounds like by boarding school (in the 1970s)

[@johnwelsh6065]

I like Mr Hitchens, even though I don't agree with all his views. But the son of a Naval Commander should have a little more 'mainbrace' I would have thought.

[@richardjames5147]

'Let them say what they want so we can have a debate' The people chanting their support for baby-killing terrorists ain't interested in civilised debate Peter...

[@primafacie6442]

He’s referring to good old free speech.

[@richardjames5147]

@@primafacie6442 we're beyond such luxuries now

[@manoftrent71]

If only...

[@DynastyUK]

Seriously? You're going to talk about drugs for an hour!? damn you Peter.

[@paulleader4]

If you are a guy it's either flick on the primal defence while in prison or be the prey for others. Someone in for theft will end up leaving violent

[@robert-hh2ft]

peter you should of just walked out and not said anything just walk away and leave it please

[@philipclemoes9458]

He,s a public school boy, should be no problem.

[@chriswilkes2438]

Should of kept him in

[@dave_goldcrest]

It was never close to violence. You were all on camera 24/7 and free to leave whenever you wanted to. Had any of the ex-cons been violent you they would have been recalled to court. There was no real threat.

[@nakednomad1]

The UN needs Peter Hitchens at this time

[@mw89181]

I think the issue isn’t the protestors saying their mind. The issue is it highlights how many immigrants we have let into our country with incompatible views and culture.

[@user-ur4jv6si7o]

Peter says prison is not a deterrent. He was in a controlled environment with cameras and security 24/7. When u go to a real prison he would of been the wing bitch and would have to fight in his first day. U got a taste of the regimen not the real interaction that happens with 100 inmates on the wing.

[@user-ur4jv6si7o]

I don’t think he’s ever been punched in the face. If he did maybe he would think different. He compared boarding school to prison? Mate u don’t know nothing.

[@gunternetzer9621]

@@user-ur4jv6si7o You weren't listening.

[@robert-hh2ft]

i would watch that idf video though

[@nomore2001]

Still think its worth jailing people for taking drugs then Peter?

[@ResurrectingLeviathan]

Ever since his embarrassing debacle with Alex O’Conner I no longer respect him

[@happyhammer1]

Now do American prisons.

[@richarddelanet]

Has their Robespierre revealed himself yet, or otherwise??!!!

[@richardlewis7498]

oh he is in his villa in spain

[@richarddelanet]

@@richardlewis7498 You got me. The Crossword was patently not my thing.

[@happinesstan]

Hitchens and Mike Graham? No thanks.

[@aaronwalderslade]

Peter needs to work a bit on his sibilants. Almost every "S" is a loud whistle.

[@thewoodlander9868]

Nearly three times the amount of people in prison than in the 60s.. and Peter puts it down to the prison system, and not the demographics and offending behaviour of our new citizens..

[@user-ur4jv6si7o]

He reminds me of George Galloway! Just a posh version.

[@JCOwens-zq6fd]

Israel couldnt exist without the Haavara agreement & they created/funded HAMAS to begin with.

[@stephenglasse2743]

'to begin with'? have yo read hamas charter? it states, Palestine is a muslim possession until judgement day, no jew is allowed to rule over any of it, jihad is obligatory to bring that about, jews control all wars, media and create freemasons and other groups! Why does koran 5:31-35 advocate killing, crucifixion, amputation, expulsion and admit jewish teachings are more gentle than allahs to muslims? Just google koran 5:31-35 and read it.

[@lowgrade84]

two ppl taling about something they have no clue about even tho one had a little look at it comparing it to boarding school, just tells me how much he will never understand it

[@MrDenzal27]

Most of the people that say prison is too soft haven't been. Hamas dosent want peace in the middle east. S arabia and Israel were shaking hands. Were.

[@donnyjay9046]

His mugshot looks too good to be true.

[@robert-hh2ft]

fair play to peter on this much better than his rant and walk out recently its like the old peter is back just dont go back to that tantrum please peter

[@sokolshala485]

well who wouldnt walk out on an interviewer that says " yeah we will wave your book in front of the camera" ......

[@dlwf11111]

@@sokolshala485Peter made a fool of himself I’m that interview.

[@anthonyreed480]

Oh shut up, you dork. He told a pencil-neck to pull his head in, just like you need to be told.

[@martinmcdonald4207]

@@dlwf11111He behaved like a spoiled brat that threw his rattler out of the pram.

[@tonyoliver2750]

Well Mike's a far better interviewer that young Alex, and he' a lot more entertaining. Alex seems to have an an over inflated opinion of himself at the moment; hopefully he'll grow up. I'm glad Peter walked out when he did - I could never have sat through another hour of Alex's dull and repetitious interviewing.

[@MrMjp58]

I hope Peter’s got over that appalling interview he had to walk out of last week.

[@thegrandmuftiofwakanda]

Hi I'm Greg Secker and I'm a c...

[@michaelfern4079]

Do Christians believe Israel needs to exist for Jesus to come back? Or is it just evangelicals who think this?

[@richardfox6595]

To think you could go to prison for a pro-conservative tweet.

[@kensho123456]

It's murder listening to him.

[@burtingtune]

It´s mass murder reading you!

[@kensho123456]

@@burtingtune "We aim to please".

[@alphabetaxenonzzzcat]

I surprised Peter was so shocked by his prison experience, as he went to public school after all. Prediction for tomorrow - Peter will whinge about the clocks going back.

[@djneils100]

poor Peter mistaking TV show for being in jail!

[@gunternetzer9621]

You weren't listening.

[@djneils100]

pardon?@@gunternetzer9621

[@alandean9674]

Fake TV

[@dlwf11111]

Hey look it’s that guy that made a right ass of himself when he stormed out of that interview 😂 glad that clip has come out so I can see how mardy the man can be.

[@anthonyreed480]

No, it's the internationally renowned, well-respected, widely-read author, political commentator who appears across all media all the time on a range of issues. You're, apparently, a fan of some dork with a KZbin channel.

[@tonyoliver2750]

Alex was a bit mardy, I agree; still he got the views he was after if not the interesting interview he could have had.

[@dlwf11111]

@@tonyoliver2750 how on earth are you trying to act like it was the other way around? 😂 did we watch the same thing?

[@JiGsAwxX2k9]

​@@dlwf11111As you can see Peter is being invited on TV by everyone moving on with his life, while you all have PTSD listening to a little boy get scolded by Peter like a disappointed and disciplinary father figure. 😂

[@dlwf11111]

@@JiGsAwxX2k9 what are you talking about? It’s clear Peter only goes on things that won’t ask him questions he doesn’t like. He acted like a child during that interview. You’ve just got a very f*cked up perspective of the world.

[@outshout1054]

Anybody see his interview on Cosmic Sceptic? Bloody child like behaviour

[@randomname3109]

yeah he was a right twit wasnt he

[@outshout1054]

@@randomname3109 Shame really as I usually enjoy Hitchens for his wit, probably just saw the 15 minutes he could produce before having a diva moment

[@Gerlaffy]

This Peter Hitchens fellow seems like the arrogant type to behave childishly and storm out of interviews...

[@BaronVonGreenback1882]

Chomsky said, that Israelis could have had full security but instead, they chose expansion, Hamas is a result of that choice.

[@stephenglasse2743]

chomsky is so wrong he may be the most intelligent man who has ever got anything so wrong. in fact one wonders if he's just lying. in 1967 israel possessed Gaza, sinai, west bank and golan heights (all of which were given to them by the league of nations excepting golan and sinai) and before 2010 israel had given almost 99% away including gaza, sinai, and areas of west bank. So this is another case of antisemitism in the 'jews are magical gremlins who can do things that even god can't' ie they can give away land YET somehow be 'expanding'!! (and Yes I do know chomsky is jewish)

[@thesolarengineer]

Ah, the pedantic, eternally boring Hitchens brother.

[@sciencegoblin7775]

Peter Hitchens looks like a owl... shame he is not as wise as one...

[@antiochiaadtaurum3786]

is he going to storm off this show like a tantrum-throwing child also?

[@HowDeepIsYourJesus]

This ponce wouldn't last 5 minutes in a real prison - I doubt he could navigate a bus station to be honest.

[@LongSeax88]

I bet you're hard. Do you spend a lot of time in bus stations or prisons? Do you split your time between the two?