Page "Porridge (TV series)" Paragraph 7

The central character of Porridge is Norman Stanley Fletcher, described by his sentencing judge as " an habitual criminal " from Muswell Hill, London.

Fletcher is sent to HMP Slade, a fictional Category C prison in Cumberland, alongside his cellmate, Lennie Godber, a naïve inmate from Birmingham serving his first sentence, whom Fletcher takes under his wing.

Mr Mackay is a tough warder with whom Fletcher often comes into conflict.

Mackay's subordinate, Mr Barrowclough, is more sympathetic and timid — and prone to manipulation by his charges.