'Biased' Richard Madeley accused of 'feeling sorry' for mass murderers and rapists during his Inside the World's Mega Prison documentary
Richard said it 'plucked at the heart'Richard Madeley has been accused of “almost sounding sorry” for the very dangerous criminals featured in his Inside the World’s Mega Prison documentary.
The TV presenter entered the terrifying Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT) max prison in El Salvador, Central America for his one-off show.
Richard immediately shared his shock at conditions the prisoners are housed in.
Hundreds of heavily tattooed and shaven-headed men were staring at him from cramped jail cells, all stacked up on metal beds.
The majority of them will never see the outside world again. They include murderers, rapists and child killers.
But Richard’s reaction sparked a backlash after saying the conditions “plucks at the heart”.
Richard Madeley visits El Salvador prison for documentary
Richard’s documentary was a step in a new direction for the former This Morning presenter. He met prison staff and questioned all the very strict procedures put in place.
Minutes into the show, the TV host was taken to a large hangar. Hundreds of men glared down at him from their metal beds, which don’t have mattresses.
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Richard was told that the prison follows a “24/7 lights-on protocol,” meaning the lights are never dimmed. Prisoners are allowed only a Bible.
“It was more of a shock than I was expecting,” Richard said.
“Whatever the reason these men are here, we accept they are very very dangerous criminals. This is a terrible sight. It plucks at the heart.”
‘Never seen anything like it’
He asked prison staff: “Nobody has a book, or a newspaper or a screen of any kind? There is nothing? Is that strictly necessary? They can have a Bible, but that’s it?
“Everyone here, all of these men, are going to die here. Not one of them are coming out? So this is their present, their future and their death.”
Prison staff told him he was correct.
Richard admitted: “I’ve never seen anything like this in my entire life and it’s going to take a whole to process it. The reality of seeing 3000 men in cells on metal bunks with nothing to do at all is one hell of a thing to see.”
Richard added: “I still feel the need to press him on why they are so harsh.” He told the officers that it could be seen as “cruel”.
Prison staff insisted: “They have food, basic necessities, healthcare, and access to ongoing legal processes.”
Viewers brand Richard ‘biased’ over prison documentary
Watching at home, viewers felt Richard was too sympathetic to the prisoners housed at CECOT in El Salvador.
Writing on X, one said: “Richard seems biased with his views on the mega prison. No murderer, pedo or criminal should have human rights in this world. UK HMP should seek advise from El Salvador about prison sentences.”
Another added: “#richardmadeley almost sounding sorry for the multi murderers in the #megaprison.”
A third wrote: “Don’t think Richard Madeley would have been so sympathetic if one of his kids was one of the victims of any of those monsters.”
A fourth remarked: “The way Richard almost weeps for these men really shows his middle class upbringing. You need to learn that some people do not, under any circumstances, deserve mercy.”
And someone else asked: “Why is Richard feeling sorry for them monsters!? As it seems from him.”
