About this episode
The episode explores life in Wandsworth Prison and the societal upheaval surrounding the Great Train Robbers and the Profumo affair.
This episode contains reference to self harm. We’re in Wandsworth Prison, where the lights never go out. And where freedom for Ronnie Biggs might only be a chess game or a rope climb away … Meanwhile - outside the jail walls - the British establishment is shaking under the weight of working-class anger, the Profumo affair, the Swinging Sixties, and a media frenzy at the severe sentences handed down to the Great Train Robbers. If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this programme, details of organisations offering information and support can be found at bbc.co.uk/actionline Credits: Presenter - Daniel Mays Producers - Phoebe McIndoe & Jude Shapiro Executive Producer - Jack Howson Associate Exec - Chris Pickard Mix Engineering - Will Fitzpatrick Additional Production Support - Ashley Clivery Commissioning Producer - Sam Proffitt Commissioning Executive - Louise Kattenhorn Commissioning Editor - Richard Maddock Contributors include: Professor Dick Hobbs, criminologist Noel ‘Razor’ Smith, writer and former armed robber Brian Stone, cellmate of Biggs A Peanut & Crumb production for Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
People in this episode
Host: Daniel Mays
Guests: Noel ‘Razor’ Smith, Brian Stone
Topics covered
- prison life
- working-class anger
- Great Train Robbers
- Profumo affair
- Swinging Sixties
- media frenzy
Keywords
- Wandsworth Prison
- Ronnie Biggs
- Great Train Robbers
- Profumo affair
- Swinging Sixties
- self harm
- working-class anger
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Wandsworth Prison, BBC Radio 5 Live, A Peanut & Crumb, BBC Sounds
More episodes of Gangster
- 5. The Magic Balloon Gang · June 4, 2026 · 30 min
- 4. The Slip-Up · May 28, 2026 · 35 min
- 3. The Land of Milk and Honey · May 21, 2026 · 32 min
- 1. The Big One · May 7, 2026 · 30 min
- Introducing Gangster Presents: The Story of Ronnie Biggs · May 4, 2026 · 2 min
- 6. Losing Face · April 9, 2026 · 28 min
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