Alex Swney full interview: Jail 'every bit as bad as they say it is'

When we first come across Alex Swney in prison, he's peering through the window pane in the door of the prison library. 

Like all doors here, he has to wait for security to open it and let him through to where we have set up the cameras. 

He opens and greets the library staff warmly - it's clear he spends a lot of time here. 

It's a place to escape the sterility of his room in the self-care residence - a low risk unit. 

But it doesn't protect him from mixing with high-risk offenders, and he learnt early on what that meant for his safety.

Watch the video for the full extended interview.