A drag queen was hired to entertain inmates at HMP Moorland during a 'sports day' event, sparking fury among prison experts and politicians. The prison, a category C training and resettlement facility in South Yorkshire, houses over 1,000 prisoners, approximately half of whom are convicted sex offenders, according to GB News.
The drag act was part of an LGBT diversity day at the prison, where rainbow flags were hung on the walkway of a segregation unit. However, one witness described the performance as lackluster, stating the drag queen 'did not do much and just stood about'.
Former Prison Governor Condemns Decision
Ian Acheson, a former prison governor and ex-Government adviser on extremism in jails, questioned the judgment of prison bosses. 'I simply can't imagine what possessed prison bosses to put on such an event,' he said. 'This prison holds people convicted of very serious sexual crimes against men, women and children. And to add insult to injury, a drag queen was invited for entertainment.' Acheson added that the prison service has 'completely lost its way'.
Political Backlash
Nick Timothy, the Shadow Justice Secretary and MP for West Suffolk, demanded accountability. 'Victims will be outraged that prisons are hosting special sports days for sex offenders,' he said. 'Whoever thought it was appropriate to book a drag artist to entertain them should be sacked.' Timothy vowed to end such waste and ensure prisons focus on punishment, deterrence, and rehabilitation.
Prison Inspection and Response
A 2023 inspection of HMP Moorland produced a positive assessment, noting declining violence and self-harm incidents, as well as good staff-prisoner relationships. The report also indicated that gay and bisexual prisoners felt well-supported. A Prison Service spokesman stated: 'No taxpayer money was spent on this event.' However, the Ministry of Justice has been contacted for further comment.
