Watch The Krays The Prison Years

The Krays The Prison Years is a gripping docuseries that delves into the lives of Britain's most notorious, identical twins, and criminals, Ronnie and Reggie Kray during their imprisonment. Composed of three episodes, the show tells the never-before-heard tales of the brothers, their lives in prison, their criminal network outside, and their psychological state during those years.

The first episode of the series kicks off with an insight into the Krays' criminal background and how their influence became so ubiquitous in the East End of London. With first-hand accounts from prison guards, associates, and family members, the episode offers a compelling portrait of the twins' reign of terror during the 1960s.

The episode primarily focuses on their arrest in May 1968 that led to their transferal to HM Prison Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight. While the twins had the reputation of being strict disciplinarians in their gang, the series meticulously showcases their transformation behind bars. The brothers had to adapt to the prison environment and had to employ different tactics to stay on top. Drawing from exclusive interviews and archival footage, the documentary offers a captivating portrayal of the twins' behavior while they were serving their time.

The second episode of the series explores the events that occurred after their transferal from HM Prison Parkhurst to HM Prison Durham. The brothers had to cope with the lack of freedom and comforts they enjoyed previously, and this resulted in their mental state weakening. What follows is a detailed account of how the twins' behavior inside prison made their lives harder as they struggled to deal with their mental health issues.

One of the standout moments of the episode is the testimony of former prison inmate Tony Lambrianou, who offers his insights into the twins' mental makeup and how that had a significant bearing on their time behind bars. The episode is unquestionably the most emotionally charged out of the entire series, and would grip viewers' attention.

The concluding episode offers a glimpse of the Kray twins' release from prison, their criminal activities following their release, and their eventual re-arrest that followed. While the first two episodes were more character-driven, this episode showcases the brothers' influence on organized crime and how they managed to maintain that even after imprisonment.

What makes the show special is how it offers a unique view of the Krays from a completely different perspective. The common perception of the twins is that of violent, ruthless individuals who were untouchable. Still, the show's creators have done an excellent job in showcasing the twins as people who were not immune to the effects that come with imprisonment.

Discovery has done well in not only highlighting the prison years of the Krays and their descent into mental instability but also in offering a new perspective on how people can suffer inside prison despite creating an aura of invincibility. The creators of the documentary have not glorified the Krays' criminality but have strayed away from preaching a moral standpoint, which makes the show fascinating.

The Krays The Prison Years is an engaging, well-paced, and informative docuseries that offers a new insight into the lives of Britain's most notorious criminals. The use of archival footage, interviews, and reenactments bring the story to life, making the series a must-watch for fans of true-crime stories.