Joan Henry's original novel 'Who Lie In Gaol' was based on her own experiences of prison. In debt from gambling, she took a forged cheque from a friend as a loan, and was convicted at the Old Bailey in 1951. Sentenced to twelve months, she served eight, primarily in Holloway Prison of which she was very critical, and later at Askham Grange Open Prison. The Glynis Johns character is based on her, although Henry thought her "a bit goody-goody".
Two years later, J. Lee Thompson again directed Diana Dors in Meu Amor, Minha Ruína (1956), also based on a novel by Joan Henry.
Prolific character actress Marianne Stone appears unbilled as a fellow prisoner who comforts Diana Dors' character.
Released in the U.K. at 88 minutes, and the U.S. version was cut to 72 minutes. The American Film Institute viewed a British print at 84 minutes.