Jailbreak 10 locked away

Cuff luck: Ben Amponash has his handcuffs removed upon arrival

Channel 5's alternative to Big Brother, in which contestants have to try and escape from prison, has got under way.

Jailbreak features 10 "inmates" who have to try and get out of the specially-designed compound within three weeks. The first escapee wins £100,000 in cash.

The five men and five women, who include a bodyguard, a glamour model and a builder, were "arrested" at their homes and taken to the prison in Cuffley, Hertfordshire.

The Hertfordshire compound where the prisoners are held

A Channel 5 spokeswoman said: "They are all in the jail now. I think they are excited, but they have to find their feet."

The first show will be screened this Tuesday at 1900 BST, with Craig Charles presenting.

The five women were taken to the open prison first, accompanied by prison officers, and were joined by the men later.

Monitor

Each group had their irises scanned for security reasons before being handed their prison uniforms and taken to single sex dormitories.

Like Big Brother, there are cameras positioned all over the prison - 35 in all - so viewers on the internet can monitor their every move.

Usual suspect: Giuliano Zampi is photographed with his number

Edited highlights will be screened on television six days a week - from Sunday to Friday - with updates in the morning and evening.

The prizes will be awarded on a sliding scale from a total fund of £250,000. If inmates escape in a group - of which there can be no more than three - the money is split between them.

Members of the public also have a chance to cash in. They are allowed to offer the prisoner of their choice escape tips via e-mail or phone - with the best idea worth £20,000.