Adam Pigott is a final-year journalism student at TU Dublin, from Finglas, Co. Dublin. With a strong interest in storytelling and real-life narratives, Adam has developed a keen focus on producing meaningful and engaging multimedia content that reflects authentic human experiences. For his major project, Adam produced a documentary titled Following in the Footsteps. The piece explores the unique bond between a father and son connected through their work in the Irish Prison Service. The father dedicated over 30 years to the service, and now his son is beginning his own journey along the same path. Through honest and reflective conversations, the documentary highlights the challenges, harsh realities, and responsibilities associated with the role. It also examines how a career in the prison service shaped their family life both inside and outside prison walls.
Following in the Footsteps
Following in the Footsteps tells the story of the Redmond’s from Finglas, a father and son connected by a career in the Irish Prison Service. After more than 30 years working behind prison walls, the father reflects on a life shaped by responsibility, pressure and sacrifice, while his son now follows in his footsteps.
Through honest and personal conversations, they speak about the realities of prison work: the challenges, the harsh realities and the emotional impact the job can have both inside and outside of the prison walls. The piece explores how growing up around the service influenced the son’s decision to join, and what it means to carry on a family legacy in such a demanding profession. At its core, Following in the Footsteps is a story about family, duty and understanding a side of Irish society rarely seen by the public. It offers a human insight into the people behind the uniform and the lasting effect the prison service can have across generations.
