How criminal gangs are profiting from prisons - and what’s being done to stop it

15 November 2021, 08:07 | Updated: 15 November 2021, 12:25

Body scanners in action at HMP Lincoln

Charlotte Lynch

By Charlotte Lynch

Criminal gangs have been making millions from within prison cells - able to sell heroin and spice on the outside world using mobile phones no bigger than a domino piece.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

LBC discovered that dealers have been profiting from the exploitation of the prison remand system. They’ve been paying convicts released on license as much as £1,000 a pop to commit a crime and get sent back to jail, so they can smuggle drugs, weapons and miniature mobile phones back inside with them.

Prison officers aren’t allowed to look inside of inmates bodies, so they have been able to swallow or secrete deadly substances that go undetected. They then wreak havoc inside of jails, with some inmates overdosing, leaving officers with no choice but to call out ambulances that could be used elsewhere.

The Prison Officers Association had been asking the government for X-ray body scanners to detect illegal contraband, and they have now been installed in every closed men’s jail in England and Wales. In just over a year, they have stopped more than 10,000 attempts to smuggle in dangerous and life-threatening substances.

The scanners are so effective in disrupting organised crime gangs (OCGs) that a bounty has been placed on them by dealers, who governors believe will pay £10,000 to anybody who can damage the machine enough to take it out of action.

Read more: Nation honours the fallen as Queen unable to attend Remembrance service on health grounds

LBC was granted access to HMP Lincoln to see one of the scanners in action. Already, hundreds of inmates there have been caught trying to get drugs, tobacco, and other illegal items in to the prison. Our reporter Charlotte Lynch was also shown a tiny mobile phone the size of a typical index finger, which drug dealers can use to operate a criminal enterprise from within their cell, and intimidate witnesses in trails on the outside world.

Paul Cawkwell, Prison Group Director for the East Midlands, showed our reporter Charlotte Lynch a doggy bag which contained the drug spice - the size of a two pound coin. It had been found on a prisoner using the scanner. He described it as a "cancer" within jails.

He said: "It’s an extreme high, in some cases it causes hallucinations. In some cases it will cause extreme behaviour, people to pass out and require hospitalisation, and it can cause death.

"That will go a long way. It trades at a very high price. Whilst it looks small - the impact it will have is grossly disproportionate."

Read more: Three arrested in terror probe after fatal taxi explosion at Liverpool hospital

In January, more than 1 in 10 inmates who were scanned were found to have illegal contraband on them. Last month, it was down to 1%. Mr Cawkwell said it shows: "You can’t beat this technology. Don’t try and evade it - if you’re confronted with it you will lose."

Prisons Minister Victoria Atkins said: "What happens in prison can have many repercussions beyond the walls. I’d much rather ambulances were going to members of the public and my constituents, rather than having to come to HMP Lincoln because somebody swallowed a condom full of heroin or a Class A drug.

"It’s much better that we detect this as soon as they come in to the prison, because that helps to protect the public beyond the prison walls."

Figures obtained by LBC show at least 12,500 ambulances and paramedic cars were sent to prisons in England in 2019 and 2020. More than 200 of those were because of an overdose or a stabbing. Most recent data shows that every ambulance call-out, which resulted in a patient being taken to hospital, cost NHS England £292 in 2019/20.

When asked if the Ministry of Justice had acted too late, Ms Atkins said: "This is part of an ongoing programme of investment - this has been rolled out across all male prisons in the country and we are investing in enhanced gate security in 42 of our highest risk areas. We will continue to rebut whatever the criminals throw at us."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

WATCH: Three family members of Sara Sharif were arrested at Gatwick Airport for her muder

WATCH: Moment police board plane and arrest fugitive family of schoolgirl Sara Sharif on suspicion of murder

Craig pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual offences against a teenage pupil

Ex-teacher jailed after he 'groomed' and sexually assaulted pupil in classroom cupboard

A 22-year-old woman died from a stab injury at Spenlow House on Jamaica Road, Bermondsey

Boy, 17, jailed for stabbing woman, 22, to death in 'laughing gas-fuelled row' on Christmas Eve

Jackie Scully will trek 100km across the Sahara desert to mark 10 years since she was given the all-clear

Breast cancer survivor to trek 100km across Sahara desert to mark 10 years since getting all-clear

Flooding And Heavy Rain In Valencia Region Of Spain

What we have seen in Spain these last days is a preview of the future if we do not take action on climate change

Kemi Badenoch has been elected as the new Conservative Party leader

New Tory leader Kemi Badenoch says 'huge job' ahead involves 'people we want to bring back to Conservative Party'

Janey Godley has died at the age of 63

Scottish comedian Janey Godley died in hospital 'surrounded by her loved ones' aged 63 following battle with cancer

Exclusive
Anthony Scaramucci

Anthony Scaramucci says 'garbage' comments made at Trump rally have 'lit up' Puerto Ricans - and could swing election

billy nighy

Billy Nighy 'stole complete works of Shakespeare from library' to prepare for drama school audition

v

Winner in Conservative leadership contest to be announced this morning

Palma is on lockdown amid warnings of heavy rain

Majorca on lockdown as tourist hotspot faces flooding horror after storm kills more than 200

UK GP visiting senior woman at home

Care homes and GPs could face closure under Labour tax plans, health leaders warn

Rebekah Vardy 'threatens to reignite war with Coleen Rooney'

Rebekah Vardy launches appeal against Wagatha Christie £1.8m costs ruling

Alexandra Palace Hosts Its Annual Fireworks Display Ahead Of Bonfire Night

Bonfire night 2024 forecast: What will the weather be like for fireworks night?

Darrian Williams

Two teen boys found guilty after 16-year-old stabbed to death by masked attackers in Bristol park

Westminster Protest

'Betrayed' farmers to protest over Labour's inheritance tax raid - as Chancellor insists changes are 'fair'