# Prisoner season 1

The first season of Australian drama television series Prisoner (commonly known as Prisoner: Cell Block H) premiered on the then-known 0-10 Network on 26 February 1979 in Sydney and 27 February 1979 in Melbourne. The season contains 79 episodes and concluded on 28 November 1979.

## Episodes

| No. overall | Episode | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
| 1 | Episode 1Episode 2 | Graeme Arthur | Reg Watson | 27 February 1979 (1979-02-27) |
| 2 | Episode 1Episode 2 | Graeme Arthur | Reg Watson | 27 February 1979 (1979-02-27) |
| Two new prisoners arrive at Wentworth Detention Centre; Karen Travers, convicted of murdering her abusive husband and Lynn Warner, convicted of burying a baby alive, but she claims she is innocent. Bea enjoys 24 hours of freedom: she visits her daughter's grave, then shoots her husband dead. |||||
| 3 | Episode 3 | Rod Hardy | Ian Bradley | 28 February 1979 (1979-02-28) |
| Bee surrenders and is put back inside, to face off against Franky Doyle. Bill Jackson is stabbed. |||||
| 4 | Episode 4 | Graeme Arthur | Ian Bradley | 6 March 1979 (1979-03-06) |
| The murderer of Meg's husband is forced to confess. |||||
| 5 | Episode 5 | Rod Hardy | Reg Watson | 7 March 1979 (1979-03-07) |
| 6 | Episode 6 | Graeme Arthur | Denise Morgan | 13 March 1979 (1979-03-13) |
| 7 | Episode 7 | Gary Conway | Denise Morgan | 14 March 1979 (1979-03-14) |
| Vera's mother dies. |||||
| 8 | Episode 8 | Brian McDuffie | Ian Coughlan | 20 March 1979 (1979-03-20) |
| 9 | Episode 9 | Gary Conway | Ian Bradley | 21 March 1979 (1979-03-21) |
| 10 | Episode 10 | Graeme Arthur | Ian Coughlan | 27 March 1979 (1979-03-27) |
| Bea's plan to help Marilyn reconcile with Eddie backfires. Lynn struggles with life at home. A depressed Vera is almost arrested when she gets drunk and becomes aggressive in a bar. Helen is released and the prisoners discover what she really thinks of them when she appears in a TV interview. |||||
| 11 | Episode 11 | Gary Conway | Denise Morgan | 28 March 1979 (1979-03-28) |
| Franky goes berserk when she learns her brother is critically injured. |||||
| 12 | Episode 12 | Brian McDuffie | Michael Brindley | 3 April 1979 (1979-04-03) |
| Lynn marries Doug. Franky, Doreen and Lizzy escape. |||||
| 13 | Episode 13 | Godfrey Philipp | Michael Brindley | 4 April 1979 (1979-04-04) |
| 14 | Episode 14 | Godfrey Philipp | Michael Brindley | 10 April 1979 (1979-04-10) |
| 15 | Episode 15 | Gary Conway | Denise Morgan | 11 April 1979 (1979-04-11) |
| 16 | Episode 16 | Gary Conway | Marcus Cole | 17 April 1979 (1979-04-17) |
| 17 | Episode 17 | Simon Wincer | Dave Worthington & Marcus Cole | 18 April 1979 (1979-04-18) |
| 18 | Episode 18 | Simon Wincer | Denise Morgan | 24 April 1979 (1979-04-24) |
| 19 | Episode 19 | William Fitzwater | Jill Kavalek | 25 April 1979 (1979-04-25) |
| Catherine Roberts drives her car backwards and forwards over the man that raped her daughter. |||||
| 20 | Episode 20 | William Fitzwater | Denise Morgan | 1 May 1979 (1979-05-01) |
| Franky is shot dead by police. Doreen hands herself in to pay Karen back, accusing her of getting Franky killed. |||||
| 21 | Episode 21 | Marcus Cole & Charles Tingwell | Marcus Cole | 2 May 1979 (1979-05-02) |
| 22 | Episode 22 | Marcus Cole & Charles Tingwell | Michael Brindley | 8 May 1979 (1979-05-08) |
| 23 | Episode 23 | Julian Pringle | Maree Teychenne | 9 May 1979 (1979-05-09) |
| 24 | Episode 24 | Julian Pringle | Ron McLean | 15 May 1979 (1979-05-15) |
| 25 | Episode 25 | Alan Coleman | Stanley Walsh | 16 May 1979 (1979-05-16) |
| 26 | Episode 26 | Alan Coleman | Sarah Darling | 22 May 1979 (1979-05-22) |
| 27 | Episode 27 | William Fitzwater | Denise Morgan | 23 May 1979 (1979-05-23) |
| 28 | Episode 28 | William Fitzwater | Dave Worthington & Ian Bradley | 29 May 1979 (1979-05-29) |
| 29 | Episode 29 | Marcus Cole | Michael Brindley | 30 May 1979 (1979-05-30) |
| 30 | Episode 30 | Marcus Cole | Sheila Sibley | 5 June 1979 (1979-06-05) |
| 31 | Episode 31 | Julian Pringle | Denise Morgan | 6 June 1979 (1979-06-06) |
| 32 | Episode 32 | Julian Pringle | John Drew | 12 June 1979 (1979-06-12) |
| George Lucas ties Vera up before running off with her bail money. |||||
| 33 | Episode 33 | Peita Letchford | Ray Kolle | 12 June 1979 (1979-06-12) |
| Vera is found by Erica who is less than happy with her involvement with George Lucas. The women get bored of Monica and want Bea back, unbeknown to them that the police are already on her trail. |||||
| 34 | Episode 34 | Peita Letchford | Sheila Sibley | 19 June 1979 (1979-06-19) |
| Bea and Val have a night out resulting in a very bad hangover the following morning. Lizzie is forced by Monica to make some of her famous brew but Noeline tries to muscle in on the production line. Noeline's brother makes a big mistake during a burglary. |||||
| 35 | Episode 35 | Leigh Spence | Michael Brindley | 20 June 1979 (1979-06-20) |
| Clara throws a party for the other women and manages to make even more booze, but Noeline drinks the lot. Bea is concerned about the young girl who lives next door. Noeline's brother is shot dead by police when his burglary goes wrong. |||||
| 36 | Episode 36 | Leigh Spence | Denise Morgan | 26 June 1979 (1979-06-26) |
| Bea's time is up on the outside and she's returned to Wentworth where she takes over as Top Dog, much to the dismay of Noeline and Monica. Meg is injured when Bea and Monica fight in the laundry over who is working the steam press. |||||
| 37 | Episode 37 | Marcus Cole | John Drew | 27 June 1979 (1979-06-27) |
| Business woman Marianne de Vere has been persuaded to fund the Half Way House project so a celebration barbecue is organised for the prisoners. She also arranges a new colour television for the Recroom but Noeline ensures that nobody will watch it. |||||
| 38 | Episode 38 | Marcus Cole | Sheila Sibley | 3 July 1979 (1979-07-03) |
| 39 | Episode 39 | Brian Faull | Ron McLean | 4 July 1979 (1979-07-04) |
| 40 | Episode 40 | Brian Faull | Denise Morgan | 10 July 1979 (1979-07-10) |
| Jim Fletcher makes his debut, and is greeted by some crass political correctness. |||||
| 41 | Episode 41 | Leon Thau | John Hepworth | 11 July 1979 (1979-07-11) |
| 42 | Episode 42 | Leon Thau | Maree Teychenne | 17 July 1979 (1979-07-17) |
| 43 | Episode 43 | Leigh Spence | Denise Morgan | 18 July 1979 (1979-07-18) |
| 44 | Episode 44 | Leigh Spence | Dave Worthington & Ian Bradley | 24 July 1979 (1979-07-24) |
| 45 | Episode 45 | Marcus Cole | Michael Brindley | 25 July 1979 (1979-07-25) |
| 46 | Episode 46 | Marcus Cole | John Drew | 31 July 1979 (1979-07-31) |
| 47 | Episode 47 | Philip East | John Upton | 1 August 1979 (1979-08-01) |
| 48 | Episode 48 | Philip East | S. E. Unsworth | 7 August 1979 (1979-08-07) |
| 49 | Episode 49 | Leon Thau & Philip East | Denise Morgan | 8 August 1979 (1979-08-08) |
| 50 | Episode 50 | Leon Thau & Philip East | John Wood | 14 August 1979 (1979-08-14) |
| 51 | Episode 51 | Leigh Spence | John Upton | 15 August 1979 (1979-08-15) |
| 52 | Episode 52 | Leigh Spence | Sheila Sibley | 21 August 1979 (1979-08-21) |
| Bella Albredcht is murdered. |||||
| 53 | Episode 53 | Marcus Cole | Ray Kolle | 22 August 1979 (1979-08-22) |
| 54 | Episode 54 | Marcus Cole | Denise Morgan | 28 August 1979 (1979-08-28) |
| 55 | Episode 55 | Simon Hellings | Margaret McClusky | 29 August 1979 (1979-08-29) |
| 56 | Episode 56 | Simon Hellings | Anne Lucas & John Wregg | 4 September 1979 (1979-09-04) |
| 57 | Episode 57 | Philip East | John Wood | 5 September 1979 (1979-09-05) |
| 58 | Episode 58 | Philip East | Dave Worthington | 11 September 1979 (1979-09-11) |
| 59 | Episode 59 | Leigh Spence | Denise Morgan | 12 September 1979 (1979-09-12) |
| 60 | Episode 60 | Leigh Spence | Michael Brindley | 18 September 1979 (1979-09-18) |
| 61 | Episode 61 | Marcus Cole | Ian Bradley & Anne Lucas | 19 September 1979 (1979-09-19) |
| 62 | Episode 62 | Marcus Cole | Margaret McClusky | 25 September 1979 (1979-09-25) |
| 63 | Episode 63 | Leon Thau | Denise Morgan | 26 September 1979 (1979-09-26) |
| Ros shoots Toni McNally after the court dismisses the charges against her, after a key witness is terrified into giving a false account. |||||
| 64 | Episode 64 | Leon Thau | Sheila Sibley | 2 October 1979 (1979-10-02) |
| Toni McNally dies in hospital, meaning Ros Coulson will be charged with her murder. |||||
| 65 | Episode 65 | Philip East | John Upton | 3 October 1979 (1979-10-03) |
| Chrissie Latham is brought back to Wentworth, to Meg's horror. |||||
| 66 | Episode 66 | Simon Hellings | Dave Worthington | 16 October 1979 (1979-10-16) |
| 67 | Episode 67 | Leigh Spence | Denise Morgan | 17 October 1979 (1979-10-17) |
| 68 | Episode 68 | Leigh Spence | Ray Kolle | 23 October 1979 (1979-10-23) |
| 69 | Episode 69 | Marcus Cole | John Wood | 24 October 1979 (1979-10-24) |
| Greg reveals the results of Chrissie's pregnancy test. Also, Pat's son visit Wentworth in the working party, but Vera catches them talking, putting Pat's release in jeopardy. |||||
| 70 | Episode 70 | Marcus Cole | John Wregg & Eric Scott | 30 October 1979 (1979-10-30) |
| Rosie prepares for baby Sam's first birthday, oblivious to the fact he will be taken from her when he reaches a year old. Doreen is released to the halfway house and spends an afternoon with Alice. |||||
| 71 | Episode 71 | Leigh Spence | Margaret McClusky | 31 October 1979 (1979-10-31) |
| Psychiatrist Dr Weissman is called in to assess how Rosie is coping with the impending loss of her son, Sam. Vera offers Rosie some last minute advice. |||||
| 72 | Episode 72 | Leigh Spence | Denise Morgan | 6 November 1979 (1979-11-06) |
| Doreen tries to come to terms with the realisation that Alice is her long lost mother. On the inside, Bea keeps an eye on the recently sentenced Ros. It's Vera's birthday and she throws herself a party. |||||
| 73 | Episode 73 | Philip East | Sheila Sibley | 7 November 1979 (1979-11-07) |
| Karen tries to turn Ros away when she turns up at the halfway house but is persuaded to let her stay one night. However, it's not long before the police are knocking on the halfway house door. |||||
| 74 | Episode 74 | Philip East | Ray Kolle | 13 November 1979 (1979-11-13) |
| With Christmas approaching, Lizzie suggests the prisoners write their annual Christmas play, so the women use the chance to ridicule the officers. A reporter takes an interest in Ros' escape story. |||||
| 75 | Episode 75 | Kelvin Fogarty | Denise Morgan | 14 November 1979 (1979-11-14) |
| It's Christmas and the women are preparing for their play. Erica is furious following the publishing of a newspaper article on Pat, and tells Greg to choose between the prison and the halfway house. |||||
| 76 | Episode 76 | Kelvin Fogarty | John Wood | 20 November 1979 (1979-11-20) |
| Lizzie is still upset, convinced Vera stole her Christmas cake. Pat's house is swarmed with police and reporters, all looking for her son David since his prison escape, but he can't stay away from her. |||||
| 77 | Episode 77 | Marcus Cole | John Wregg & Ian Bradley | 21 November 1979 (1979-11-21) |
| Chrissie helps Ros break into Greg's surgery, where she manages to steal some pills. Following the shootout, Pat is arrested and sent back to Wentworth. |||||
| 78 | Episode 78 | Marcus Cole | Margaret McClusky | 27 November 1979 (1979-11-27) |
| Security is increased inside the prison. Bea blames Ros, and plans to tell her when Ros is out solitary. Greg and Karen announce their engagement, oblivious to David's plans to end Greg's life. |||||
| 79 | Episode 79 | Leigh Spence | Michael Harvey | 28 November 1979 (1979-11-28) |
| Karen is rushed to hospital, where she remains in a serious condition. Political activists Janet Dominguez arrives at Wentworth and is immediately put in solitary confinement. |||||

## Reception
### Viewership

In 1979, Prisoner was the second most popular program in Australia, averaging at 1,494,000 viewers.

### Accolades

* Penguin Award for Best Sustained Actress in a series – Carol Burns (1979)
* Logie Award for Best Lead Actress in a Series – Carol Burns (1980)
* Logie Award for Best New Drama Series – Prisoner (1980)

## Home media

Select episodes from season one are available on both VHS and DVD formats.
Season one availabity :
| Title | Episodes | Release date | Format | Country | Rating |
| Episodes 1 & 2 | Episodes 1 & 2 | 1993 | VHS | UK | BBFC: 15 |
| Episodes 3 & 4 | Episodes 3 & 4 | 1993 | VHS | UK | BBFC: PG |
| Episodes 5 & 6 | Episodes 5 & 6 | 1993 | VHS | UK | BBFC: PG |
| Episodes 7 & 8 | Episodes 7 & 8 | 1 February 1994 | VHS | UK | BBFC: 15 |
| Episodes 9 & 10 | Episodes 9 & 10 | 15 August 1994 | VHS | UK | BBFC: PG |
| Episodes 11 & 12 | Episodes 11 & 12 | 7 November 1994 | VHS | UK | BBFC: PG |
| Prisoner: 2 | 1–4 | 24 February 2003 | VHS & DVD | AUS | ACB: M |
| Prisoner: 2 | 1–4 | 19 December 2006 | DVD | US | NR |
| Volume 1 | 1–16 | 19 October 2006 | DVD | AUS | ACB: M |
| Volume 2 | 17–32 | 19 October 2006 | DVD | AUS | ACB: M |
| Volume 3 | 33–48 | 20 November 2006 | DVD | AUS | ACB: M |
| Volume 4 | 49–64 | 20 November 2006 | DVD | AUS | ACB: M |
| Volume 5 | 65–79 | 17 March 2007 | DVD | AUS | ACB: M |
| The Complete Collection | 1–79 | 29 September 2007 | DVD | AUS | ACB: M |
| Volume 1 | 1–32 | 10 November 2008 | DVD | UK | BBFC: 15 |
| Volume 2 | 33–64 | 1 June 2009 | DVD | UK | BBFC: 15 |
| Volume 3 | 65–79 | 12 October 2009 | DVD | UK | BBFC: 12 |
| Volume 1–3 | 1–79 | 30 November 2009 | DVD | UK | BBFC: 15 |
| Volume 1 | 1–32 | 9 March 2011 | DVD | AUS | ACB: M |
| Volume 2 | 1–64 | 9 March 2011 | DVD | AUS | ACB: M |
| Volume 3 | 65–79 | 11 May 2011 | DVD | AUS | ACB: M |
| The Complete Collection | 1–79 | 5 October 2011 | DVD | AUS | ACB: M |
| The Complete Season One | 1–79 | 2 November 2016 | DVD | AUS | ACB: M |

### Streaming

Prisoner began streaming on Network 10's service, 10Play from 1 January 2022. The complete first season is currently available to stream.
The series began streaming in the UK on Channel 5's service My5 on 1 September 2023, the first UK broadcast for 22 years. It reached the season finale (episode 79) on 20 October 2023. It is also became available to stream on Pluto TV in November 2023. The first season also began broadcasting on TV, with 5Select from 20 December 2023, followed by That's TV 2 on 3 January 2024.