Mr Grout - Porridge

[Purple_Popple]

In the BBC series Porridge, how come the character Mr Grout ('Grouty) always had all the home comforts in his cell in prison & special privileges etc ?

[VHG]

That was part of the "joke", that all the other prisoners had to have stark cells and stick by the rules, whereas Grouty seemed to be able to do whatever he liked. Almost as though he "ran" the prison.

I remember one episode where Fletcher went into Grouties cell and saw a budgie.

Fletcher said "of course we are'nt allowed pets are we"

And Grouty said "aren't we?" as if he just did it and never had to ask anyone.

[joggerjayne]

Yes, I think he was supposed to be a sort of criminal overlord, and everyone else was either on his payroll, or afraid of him and his minders.

He was like that guy in The Italian Job, who masterminded the whole operation from inside prison.

[ABerrant]

... "that guy" as played by Noël Coward.

[askyourgran]

Noel Coward was called Mr Bridger, in the Italian Job. It seems the prison 'overlord' is always called Mr. and has minders to do their bidding.