Prisons Watchdog Demands Isolation for Jailed Drug Dealers
Charlie Taylor, HM Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales, has called for a radical overhaul in how imprisoned drug dealers are handled, urging authorities to treat them similarly to radical extremists. He argues that major dealers are operating "consequence-free" within jails, fueling a cycle of violence and chaos through large-scale drug smuggling.
Assertive Management and Isolation Proposed
In an interview, Taylor emphasized that serious organised crime gang members often continue their operations from behind bars, making substantial profits with little interference. He proposed that these individuals should be separated from the general inmate population and subjected to strict controls, including regular searches and the use of sniffer dogs. "We should be thinking about assertively managing some of these people within prisons – separating them, controlling the regime," Taylor stated, highlighting the need for clear consequences to deter drug sales.
Taylor pointed to the success of separation centres for Islamist extremists as a model, noting that prison governors have expressed relief when such measures are implemented. He stressed that the police and Prison Service already have knowledge of who these dealers are, making targeted isolation feasible.
Drugs Fuel Violence and Debt in Prisons
A report by the justice select committee revealed that drug use in prisons is "endemic", leading to increased violence and inmate debt. The findings show that more than 10% of men and nearly 40% of women develop drug habits while incarcerated, with 39% of prisoners reporting easy access to drugs. Recent inspections at high-security facilities like HMPs Manchester, Swaleside, and Woodhill have uncovered soaring violence linked to drug trafficking.
Drones Pose National Security Threat
Taylor also raised alarms about the use of drones to smuggle contraband into prisons, describing it as a "national security threat". He cited instances where drones delivered weapons to HMP Long Lartin, which houses terrorist offenders, and large packages containing items like mobile phones, cannabis, and pharmaceuticals. "The state should be rallying around and I don't think it has done," he criticized, urging faster government response to this growing issue.
Concerns Over Prisoner Recalls and Public Safety
With his tenure ending in October, Taylor expressed worries about the Prison Service's preparedness for an influx of prisoners under new recall policies. Since March 31, short-term recalls have been replaced with 56-day releases for licence breaches, which he fears could lead to a "revolving door" effect without adequate planning. He warned that this could increase risks, particularly for domestic abuse survivors, as offenders may be released homeless and without support, potentially returning to victims.
The Ministry of Justice did not directly address Taylor's isolation proposal but acknowledged the inherited prison crisis. A spokesperson mentioned investments over £40 million in security measures, including £10 million for anti-drone technology, to combat illicit items. They also defended the 56-day recall system as providing more time for risk assessments to protect the public.
