The repeat on GOLD was cut.That SHOULD be a crime!Only fault of GS and Porridge was their lack of continuity.For instance-Fletcher recalled being convicted on September 11 so how come he'd been escorted to Slade on New Year's Eve?And it was said on his first appearance that McLaren was serving three years to Fletcher's five-so how could Fletcher be released first?
shareMcLaren was a bit of a hard case though, maybe he got involved in rioting or something and had his sentence added-to?
It's also possible Fletcher was convicted in September but sentencing was delayed or there weren't enough prison spaces so he was remanded until late December?
On the subject of fletcher leaving first. Parole means being released early on licence. If he had served all five years he would not have had to attend a probation service, or guarantee that he had a job to go to (all be it one that fell through). So there is no problem with him being released before McLaren.
shareFletch was moved up from London by McKay, so could well have been at another jail from September.
As for McLaren, wasn't he renowned for regularly having scuffles ? Probably added considerably to his sentence although it's a TV comedy so no need to get so 'FRUSTRATED'...