WEST Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has welcomed Justice Secretary David Gauke’s ‘practical’ approach to cracking down on criminal activity within UK prisons.
The Prison Service estimates that roughly 6,500 of the 86,000 inmates currently in UK prisons have links to organised crime gangs. A statistic which is growing in numbers due to advances in technology and bolder methods of smuggling drugs amongst other contraband, into prisons. Drones are currently being used to fly substances into prison via specific cells as well as more conventional methods of smuggling still taking place.
Mr Campion said: “I am pleased to see the Justice Secretary is passionate about cracking down on these criminal networks.
“It is right those going into prisons for criminal activity, and at risk of getting involved in further criminal activity, are cut off from the outside world and their networks.
“These organised gangs are not only causing harm in the prisons but in our communities too, and I will continue to work with the Government to ensure this harm is reduced.”
Mr Gauke will announce that £14million will be invested to aid the fight against organised crime. It will include increasing the security within existing prisons and prisoners with links to organised crime being recategorised and placed into tougher prisons. This decision to place prisoners into higher categories based on their activities within prison is a significant shift in current rules.
It has been reported that prison governors have stated organised crime gangs have taken a stronghold within UK prisons.
One of the main courses of action being pushed by the Justice Secretary is to create and install serious organised crime units within the prisons to help tackle the current issues.
