Inside the World's Toughest Prisons

Watched the whole four seasons on Netflix here in Sweden. It's very interesting but what a difference between hosts! I do like Paul but not for this series. When Raphael started in the second season it became a totally different show with so much better interaction and understanding. I must say Raphael is a man with a big heart and mind and I'd like to see him in different formats of other series. He's extremely human and humble and it's a joy to watch him.

The series span prisons across the globe and boy how different countries handle their politics of law and order and how different the prisoners are treated and viewed. It's almost ironic to see the difference between the Norwegian prison and those of South America for example. I do like the fact that we get an insight into the prisoners life and mind but should never forget about the victims even though we feel sympathy with the murderers. I'm still very conservative when it comes to offenders and I feel no punishment is enough for the really heavy criminals.

I agree with other reviews about Paul, he was not a good fit. Raphael on the other hand has experience in prison and knows generally how to interact with the inmates

In season 1 episode 1, Paul (the host) was invited to "sit in" on an inmate's meeting with a judge. Not only did the host interrupt that meeting, by asking both parties questions instead of waiting until the end, but he completely undermined the inmate in front of the judge. The host asked way too many probing questions into the lives of these inmates, and according to Raphael Rowe, season 2's host, that's a rookie (and costly) mistake. Paul's lucky he had cameras with him, or else he would've been screwed for sure!

How are people getting this backwards?? They probably switched hosts because bless Pauls heart he sucked at it, they needed someone who knew what prison was like, and they found the perfect host in Raphael. He's been to prison, he knows what it's like, but the big thing is he wasn't guilty. So, perfect. Love the show, not season 1 so much. Would love to see Raphael re-visit the season 1 prisons and do it right.

To start, a lot of the reviews for this show have issues with one or both hosts. I happen to like both hosts. Paul because as an investigative journalist without a criminal background he's unfamiliar and uncomfortable with the environments he is put in. Raphael because of his prison history (he served 12 years in maximum security after being wrongly accused and later released) and an understanding of what goes on inside. I like the fact the show isn't just beeped out profanities thrown at each other, fighting, etc. The show creates a non-threatening vibe that tends to get some really bad people, in some really bad places, to open up about some things. If you want a bunch of thugs acting like animals and going after each other this isn't the show. If you want to learn about the way different prisons work and get an inside look at internal politics, gang power, and individual stories this show is for you.