When this series began as Prisoners of Conscience five years ago, it created a unique tradition of involving British TV audiences inhuman rights campaigning.
"We simply wanted to transpose the prisoners of conscience concept to television and alert people to the plight of innocent men, women and children shut up in jails all over the world", says producer Rex Bloomstein.
Now, with 43 of the 60 featured prisoners released, the aim remains to draw attention to human rights abuses wherever they occur. This year's new format reflects a dangerous worldwide trend. Potential troublemakers are more likely to be executed or "disappeared" than taken prisoner, and torture is becoming a way of life in many prisons.
Tonight's introduction by John Simpson examines these changes and looks back at some of the prisoners featured in previous years. "Free men and women have a clear duty to those who aren't free," says Simpson. "They can't fight back, they can't organise, they can't protect themselves."
Through the week five presenters will outline different human rights abuses and explain how viewers can campaign for justice.

Update on past prisoners of conscience: See Feature page 42