Ministers have expressed anger after Reform UK used taxpayer money to fund a £20,000 podcast studio in a high-security prison that holds rapists and killers. HMP Leicester, a Category B facility, runs two workshops a day for inmates to produce podcasts, which are broadcast internally to other convicts.
Political backlash over spending
Nick Timothy, the shadow justice secretary, called the spending a misuse of taxpayer money and an insult to victims. He told The Telegraph: "It is a waste of taxpayer money to build prisoners their own personal podcast studio, while partnering with Labour to match their funding. The Police and Crime Commissioner should spend this money on fighting crime, not letting prisoners cosplay as Joe Rogan. Victims will be insulted that their taxes are funding this, and Reform should end this ridiculous project now."
The reception prison holds around 330 inmates, primarily people on remand to the local courts before sentencing, as well as sentenced prisoners. This could include people who are being charged with rape.
Funding and support
The project was backed and part-funded by Reform UK's Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, Rupert Matthews, who defected from the Conservatives last year. His office issued £10,000 to build the studio, topped up by a further £10,000 from the HM Prison and Probation Service to supply equipment, according to figures released in response to a parliamentary question.
Anne Strickland, of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said taxpayers will be "utterly sickened to see their hard-earned cash blown on boutique podcast studios for convicted criminals". She said it was an "insult" to spend so much on high-end media kits while families are being "taxed to the hilt and public services breaking down".
Defence of the project
Mr Matthews defended the investment, describing it as an "appropriate use of Community Action Fund money". He said rehabilitation saves "far more" in policing, court and prison costs, making it a "sound investment for taxpayers". The real cost of the project will be much higher, since the fees for an instructor, who runs the workshops every weekday morning and evening, are not included in the figures.
One episode featured an interview with the Governor, while another explained what new inmates could expect on their first night. Catherine McKinnell, the prisons minister, said "purposeful activity" was a proven method to tackle reoffending by developing skills, improving their behaviour and preparing them for employment on release. A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "Equipping prisoners for work on release is a vital part of reducing reoffending and keeping the public safe."
