ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with a discussion of the cultural contexts within which Prisoner was produced, moving on to an analysis of Prisoner itself. Believing Prisoner to be an outstanding achievement of the Australian commercial television industry, it argues that it should be accorded a secure and honourable place in Australian cultural history. When production began late in 1978, Prisoner was to show for one hour per week, but an early decision was made to increase the production schedule from one hour to two. The appearance of Prisoner is varied to some extent by indoor and outdoor scenes set outside the prison but overall the look of Prisoner is spare, hard, and yet dynamic. Prisoner has undoubtedly been popular, only in its eighth year showing signs of falling ratings. Right from the beginning, on Monday, 26 February, 1979, in Sydney and Melbourne, Prisoner achieved and then maintained good solid ratings in its 8.30–9.30 timeslot.
