Have watched possibly all the episodes of each series and just re-visited the whole of the first series (comprising of six classic situations behind bars. The way each of the characters are introduced gave a strong foundation to the the two series (+ film) that followed. It's funny today that if 'Porridge' plays on T.V, they warn you about the outdated language but it's exactly this biting prison slang, that keeps it sharp, highly funny and in many ways endearing to the time. The real 'Porridge' prison, is actually located in St Albans (which was closed in 1914). The interiors were a cleverly designed set and the audacious opening credits (of the cell doors slamming) were filmed at the police station at Ealing (West London).
Review of Porridge
