Hidden cameras behind bars.

"We have live footage, no bullshit, live as it's unfolding." Prison riot mobile phone footage

A prison on fire, 600 inmates on the loose from their cells, and a band of prison officers desperately trying to contain a full-blown riot, all while footage of the violence is streamed live on social media.

"Who's got the keys man, who's got the keys blood?"

"Outta control mate, outta control." Rioting prisoners

This was not the scene from an action film blockbuster, it was frighteningly real.

"You could see staff were genuinely scared. You could see the fear in the face from everybody. Because the potential now for you to lose the jail was as real as it was going to get." Prison officer

The astonishing footage revealed a prison system at breaking point.

"They were filming to put it on social media so that they make the public aware - the way they were being treated in the prison, because nobody else is hearing them." Former prisoner

The riot, at a major prison in Britain, highlighted problems facing governments around the world, including in Australia: how to manage soaring prison populations driven by law and order debates and public demands for tougher sentencing.

"Prisons are in crisis. Violence continues to increase, but with so much violence, particularly assaults on staff, prisons are not under proper control and the risk of further riots must be substantial." Former head of the UK Prison Service

Using footage filmed by prisoners themselves in correctional facilities across the UK, the program reveals a system rife with drug use, violence and squalid living conditions.

"Cells were filthy. They were damp, they were dark, lavatories were blocked. There were rats, there were cockroaches." Chief prison inspector

The UK crisis has focused debate on the growing role of private companies in running prisons, among them global companies like G4S, which also operates in Australia.

"People just get lawless you know? Especially when there's not much staff around." Former prisoner

This revealing documentary opens a rare window into life behind bars and the pressures on those keeping watch.

"The government doesn't have a grip on the system and there's a cost in blood being paid." Former chief prison inspector

Prisons Uncovered, from Clover Films for ITV and presented by Sarah Ferguson.

The sophisticated corporate campaign to future-proof the Crown.

"What you get now is a very packaged royalty...It is a very professional operation in spin management, media management, media operations." Author

For almost two weeks Australia has felt the full force of a royal charm offensive. The visit by the newly minted Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has been a triumph for the Royal couple and the House of Windsor brand.

"I think the marriage...has injected a real shot of adrenaline into people's interest in the Royal Family." Tabloid royal correspondent

It's a world away from the scandalous 1990s when the Royal family was embroiled in a rolling series of crises, indiscretions and PR disasters leaving them out of fashion and out of step with the times. Some were even talking about the end of the monarchy itself.

"All bets were off with the Royals in the nineties. Spectacular own goals, things that 50 years earlier would have had discreet veils drawn over them: Camillagate, Squidgygate, Tampaxgate, all those terrible, terrible, gruesome little scandals." Author

On Monday Four Corners charts how the Royals have rebuilt their reputation and changed the way they manage "The Firm".

"From those ashes, a lot of lessons have been learned. There's obviously had to be more deliberate management about how people behave, what they're saying, what they're wearing." Global advertising consultant

"It was the Royal family accepting that things needed to change if they were to survive. Survival is the name of the game for the Royal family." Author

The program reveals a highly controlled operation with spin doctors and media management at the forefront.

"You don't see it but... what we see and read about the Royal family is pretty much controlled by them." Former Private Secretary to the Royal household

The Royals are increasingly bypassing traditional media and finding new ways to get their message out by joining the ranks of social media "influencers". Those combined efforts have resulted in one of the most spectacular rebranding exercises in modern times.

"In many ways, they've brought innovation. They're brand innovators to the Royal family." Global advertising consultant

This new image has helped divert attention away from questions over the funding and financial interests of the Royal household.

"We don't know where the money is invested. We don't know where it's spent. We don't know what the income is. We only know what they tell us." Former UK MP

As the palace prepares for the next generation to take the throne, Four Corners examines the very corporate campaign to future-proof the Crown.

Windsor Inc, reported by Louise Milligan and presented by Sarah Ferguson.