UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Rising gang activity leads Britain to enhance its prison crime unit, targeting drone smuggling, staff corruption, and violence.
The British government plans to implement measures to control illegal activities in prisons across England and Wales.
Why the UK is expanding its prison crime unit?
According to the prisons minister, James Timpson, to tackle growing gang violence and the use of drones, the Prison Service is increasing its squad to disrupt jail gangs.
Mr. Timpson confirmed the expansion of the serious organised crime unit, while also raising concerns about the corruption of a few prison officers by highly manipulative individuals.
He also backed the prison watchdog’s claims that drones used by gangs are a “national security threat,” highlighting incidents of the illegal transport of drugs and weapons smuggled into high-security prisons.
How is the UK government tackling gang infiltration in prisons, according to James Timpson?
As reported by The Guardian, when asked about the government’s initiative to prevent gangs from infiltrating prisons, Timpson stated,
“We have a serious organised crime unit, which we are beefing up, and we are going to really focus on this.”
Mr. Timpson added,
“I personally recognise what a toxic culture it can bring on to the wings when serious organised criminals really start to take advantage of vulnerable people.”
The unit will play an essential role in monitoring and dismantling organised crime groups in 123 prisons in England and Wales in collaboration with the National Crime Agency and local police forces.
Why does the UK government view drones as a national security threat?
Earlier this month, Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, criticised the police and prison service for failing to maintain control over the airspace above two categories A prisons, HMP Manchester and HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire.
Responding to Taylor’s warning about drones posing a national security threat, the prisons minister acknowledged the claim, adding that drones have been a major issue for some time and are closely tied to organized crime, drugs, financial debts, and assault.
Mr. Timpson highlighted that new measures to tackle drone use are in development, but he refrained from sharing additional information due to security reasons.
How are drone incidents and debt impacting UK prisons?
Figures from a freedom of information request reveal that 1,296 drone incidents occured in English and Welsh prisons in the 10 months to October 2024, a significant increase since 2020.
Mr Timpson raised concerns after discovering that groups are imposing debts on vulnerable new prisoners for drug money owed by former cell occupants.
Referring to the harsh reality within prisons, the prison minister pointed out that
“If you and I are sent to prison today and we are put [in] a cell together, that cell may have a debt on it that wasn’t paid, and we both have to pay off that debt. Some people are taking advantage of very vulnerable people at the lowest point in their lives.”
What’s behind the surge in prison staff dismissals?
HMPPS revealed that a total of 165 prison staff were terminated for misconduct between June 2023 and June 2024.
Among the reasons for these dismissals were inappropriate relations with inmates, smuggling drugs and phones, and involvement in illegal activities. Mr. Timpson also stated that while the majority of prison officers do their job well, a small group is engaged with organized crime networks.
He added, “99.9%” of prison staff
“turn up to do a fantastic job every day, but like any organisation, there are a few people that really let the side down.”
An internal counter-corruption unit within HMPPS is focused on addressing prison workers engaged in criminal activities, with efforts to prevent, detect, and expose such behaviour.
What are the statistics of organised crime in England and Wales prisons in 2024?
By June 30, 2024, England and Wales’ prison population stood at 87,726, reflecting a 2% rise from the previous year. This marks a rise of around 4,700 prisoners from pre-pandemic times.
During the 2023/24 period, approximately 6.66 million crimes were recorded across England and Wales. While this shows a minor decline from the previous year, it still ranks as one of the highest in recorded history.