Drug dealer breaks into prison!

Millennium3 · 25-04-2008, 12:50 PM

Inmates enjoy such comfort in jail that they are ignoring chances to escape, a prison officers' leader has claimed.

Inmates at a top security prison recently told Jack Straw that conditions there were like a 'holiday camp'

In one example, a drug dealer regularly broke into a Yorkshire jail over a six-month period, using a ladder to climb the walls and supply inmates with drugs and mobile phones.

The intruder walked across the yard with the ladder and used it to climb up to a cell window, which had been pulled apart with a crowbar and covered by a dummy grille.

Glyn Travis, the assistant general secretary of the Prison Officers' Association, said: "It was an extraordinary case because none of the prisoners inside tried to escape when no doubt they had the opportunity.

"It tells me there's something wrong in society when people are breaking into prisons to bring in drugs, but the prisoners are quite happy to stay inside."

More at:

Inmates ignore escape chance in 'cushy' prison - Telegraph

Westcountryman · 26-04-2008, 02:11 AM

I'm sure 99% of people think that prisons are too cushy for prisoners.

One has to wonder why HM Government don't do anything about it, and how much influence the Human Rights Act 1998 has on the situation.

As an aside, the ECHR has led to some pretty outrageous policies, such as (some) prisoners getting the right to vote, which if I remember correctly - is something the Lib Dems supported.

BBC NEWS | UK | Q&A: UK Prisoners' right to vote

BonnieDundee · 26-04-2008, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eurosceptic Atlanticist

I'm sure 99% of people think that prisons are too cushy for prisoners.

I don't think they're too cushy. They do not seem like nice places at all. I would not want to be inside one.

Hartlepool · 26-04-2008, 09:06 AM

UKIP Policy is to double the number of prison places over a ten year period.

Its a pity Labour didn't have that policy when they got in because there would be plenty of places now to put them all in.

The Bear · 26-04-2008, 10:27 AM

Legalise drugs and reduce crime in Britain overnight.

The decriminalisation that would see street (or more likely tobacconist shop) prices plummet would massively reduce the need to turn to crime to get “gear”.

Better yet within a few weeks the druggies would have taken themselves out of the picture on a permanent basis, a thing that would put off the up and coming generation from getting hooked. A social habit doesn’t last long when it kills those who get involved in it.

It’s worth looking at just where the pressure for the criminalisation of drugs came from in the first place, and why, and who was actually behind so much of it, especially in the case of marihuana.

brian pearson · 26-04-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonnieDundee

I don't think they're too cushy. They do not seem like nice places at all. I would not want to be inside one.

Well an awful lot of criminals return time after time. Can't be that bad.

I've seen the future of prisons. You can go and look round it today.

Bodmin Gaol.

Smidgey · 26-04-2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bear

Legalise drugs and reduce crime in Britain overnight.

The decriminalisation that would see street (or more likely tobacconist shop) prices plummet would massively reduce the need to turn to crime to get “gear”.

Better yet within a few weeks the druggies would have taken themselves out of the picture on a permanent basis, a thing that would put off the up and coming generation from getting hooked. A social habit doesn’t last long when it kills those who get involved in it.

It’s worth looking at just where the pressure for the criminalisation of drugs came from in the first place, and why, and who was actually behind so much of it, especially in the case of marihuana.

You hit the nail on the head Bear. And whilst were at it, we should do the same with prostitution and euthanasia (I consider the last one to be something we are morally obligated to make legal, more so than the other two).

The stories of why they became illegal in the past are interesting (timber corporations afraid of hemp-paper, people blaming drug use on blacks, and so on), but so are some of today's stories. Some of the biggest opponents of legalisation are the alcohol and tobacco industries. Why? Because they fear the competition - like any other protectionist industry.

Government and big business are the two biggest threats to our liberty.

Smidgey · 26-04-2008, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonnieDundee

I don't think they're too cushy. They do not seem like nice places at all. I would not want to be inside one.

I agree.

But, there are places we might not like to go that some people might prefer. If your only option outside of prison is living in the gutter then getting free meals, medical care and such must seem like a good deal.

BonnieDundee · 28-04-2008, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smidgey

I agree.

But, there are places we might not like to go that some people might prefer. If your only option outside of prison is living in the gutter then getting free meals, medical care and such must seem like a good deal.

Well if that is the case on any scale I think our society has failed.

Millennium3 · 28-04-2008, 08:07 AM

More from today's Telegraph:

Inmate boasts of 'luxury' life in prison
By Richard Edwards, Crime Correspondent
Last Updated: 7:09am BST 28/04/2008

A man jailed for repeatedly stabbing his wife has said he is enjoying a luxury life in prison and boasted that he was "better off inside".

Donal Kelleher, 37, an inmate at HMP Cardiff, said that his en suite accommodation was "outstanding" and revealed that he was paid £10 a week - to study for a maths GCSE - which he spends on cigarettes, chocolate and "other luxury goods".

A prison officer who has worked at Cardiff for 15 years said last week that inmates were simply sitting in their cells watching snooker on television or playing computer games.

He added that a new health care centre put local hospitals "to shame" and made it easier to see a dentist than on the "outside".

The extraordinary claims were made after The Daily Telegraph disclosed last week that a prison officers' leader said jails had become so comfortable that some inmates were ignoring chances to escape.

Glyn Travis, the assistant general secretary of the Prison Officers Association, said the latest disclosure confirmed his fears and that "we need to address the root of what prisons are all about".

Kelleher, a former Welsh Guard, stabbed his wife Leanne seven times in the chest and back after she told him she was leaving him. He was jailed in 2005.

But writing to a local newspaper from prison, he said: "I am better off in here. I could only imagine how cold it was this winter living on the streets."

He added: "May I just say that the food and accomadation (sic) is of outstanding quality here.

"We have coulour (sic) TVs, on sweet (sic) facilities, everything is provided for us eg toiletries, laundry.

"The staff are very friendly and helpful."

He stated that the education department at Cardiff was of a "very high standard". He said: "I'm currently doing a GCSE grade in maths which I am paid ten pound a week to achieve which I can spend on tobbacco (sic), chocolate and other luxury goods," he said.

The inmate signed the letter "Donal Kelleher, Prisoner No. GE7247, HMP Cardiff".

A prison officer who did not want to be named, said the prison's new £10 million health care facility was "out of the world".

He added: "I've seen it and it would put any community hospital to shame.

"It will have an X-ray machine, dental facilities and can bed up to 16 of the prisoners at a time."

David Davies, the Conservative MP for Monmouth in South Wales, visited the prison last year.

He said: "I saw prisoners sitting in their cells watching television and playing computer games.

"It seems to be an unwritten rule if they are left alone to do whatever they want they won't cause any trouble.

"They have a right to be treated humanely but we have to remember they are in prison to be punished."

Inmate boasts of 'luxury' life in prison - Telegraph

25-04-2008, 12:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
Millennium3 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Berkshire Posts: 4,615	Drug dealer breaks into prison! Inmates enjoy such comfort in jail that they are ignoring chances to escape, a prison officers' leader has claimed. Inmates at a top security prison recently told Jack Straw that conditions there were like a 'holiday camp' In one example, a drug dealer regularly broke into a Yorkshire jail over a six-month period, using a ladder to climb the walls and supply inmates with drugs and mobile phones. The intruder walked across the yard with the ladder and used it to climb up to a cell window, which had been pulled apart with a crowbar and covered by a dummy grille. Glyn Travis, the assistant general secretary of the Prison Officers' Association, said: "It was an extraordinary case because none of the prisoners inside tried to escape when no doubt they had the opportunity. "It tells me there's something wrong in society when people are breaking into prisons to bring in drugs, but the prisoners are quite happy to stay inside." More at: Inmates ignore escape chance in 'cushy' prison - Telegraph

26-04-2008, 02:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
Westcountryman Uber Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The Westcountry. Posts: 5,922 Party: None	I'm sure 99% of people think that prisons are too cushy for prisoners. One has to wonder why HM Government don't do anything about it, and how much influence the Human Rights Act 1998 has on the situation. As an aside, the ECHR has led to some pretty outrageous policies, such as (some) prisoners getting the right to vote, which if I remember correctly - is something the Lib Dems supported. BBC NEWS \| UK \| Q&A: UK Prisoners' right to vote __________________ Manus haec inimica tyrannis ense petit placidam sub libertate quietam - "This hand of mine, which is hostile to tyrants, seeks by the sword quiet peace under liberty."

26-04-2008, 10:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
The Bear Uber Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: East Anglia Posts: 2,178	Legalise drugs and reduce crime in Britain overnight. The decriminalisation that would see street (or more likely tobacconist shop) prices plummet would massively reduce the need to turn to crime to get “gear”. Better yet within a few weeks the druggies would have taken themselves out of the picture on a permanent basis, a thing that would put off the up and coming generation from getting hooked. A social habit doesn’t last long when it kills those who get involved in it. It’s worth looking at just where the pressure for the criminalisation of drugs came from in the first place, and why, and who was actually behind so much of it, especially in the case of marihuana. __________________ I am an old man. I have eaten much salt.

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26-04-2008, 09:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
Hartlepool Uber Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North East England Posts: 6,817 Party: Popular Democrats	UKIP Policy is to double the number of prison places over a ten year period. Its a pity Labour didn't have that policy when they got in because there would be plenty of places now to put them all in.

28-04-2008, 08:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
Millennium3 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Berkshire Posts: 4,615	More from today's Telegraph: Inmate boasts of 'luxury' life in prison By Richard Edwards, Crime Correspondent Last Updated: 7:09am BST 28/04/2008 A man jailed for repeatedly stabbing his wife has said he is enjoying a luxury life in prison and boasted that he was "better off inside". Donal Kelleher, 37, an inmate at HMP Cardiff, said that his en suite accommodation was "outstanding" and revealed that he was paid £10 a week - to study for a maths GCSE - which he spends on cigarettes, chocolate and "other luxury goods". A prison officer who has worked at Cardiff for 15 years said last week that inmates were simply sitting in their cells watching snooker on television or playing computer games. He added that a new health care centre put local hospitals "to shame" and made it easier to see a dentist than on the "outside". The extraordinary claims were made after The Daily Telegraph disclosed last week that a prison officers' leader said jails had become so comfortable that some inmates were ignoring chances to escape. Glyn Travis, the assistant general secretary of the Prison Officers Association, said the latest disclosure confirmed his fears and that "we need to address the root of what prisons are all about". Kelleher, a former Welsh Guard, stabbed his wife Leanne seven times in the chest and back after she told him she was leaving him. He was jailed in 2005. But writing to a local newspaper from prison, he said: "I am better off in here. I could only imagine how cold it was this winter living on the streets." He added: "May I just say that the food and accomadation (sic) is of outstanding quality here. "We have coulour (sic) TVs, on sweet (sic) facilities, everything is provided for us eg toiletries, laundry. "The staff are very friendly and helpful." He stated that the education department at Cardiff was of a "very high standard". He said: "I'm currently doing a GCSE grade in maths which I am paid ten pound a week to achieve which I can spend on tobbacco (sic), chocolate and other luxury goods," he said. The inmate signed the letter "Donal Kelleher, Prisoner No. GE7247, HMP Cardiff". A prison officer who did not want to be named, said the prison's new £10 million health care facility was "out of the world". He added: "I've seen it and it would put any community hospital to shame. "It will have an X-ray machine, dental facilities and can bed up to 16 of the prisoners at a time." David Davies, the Conservative MP for Monmouth in South Wales, visited the prison last year. He said: "I saw prisoners sitting in their cells watching television and playing computer games. "It seems to be an unwritten rule if they are left alone to do whatever they want they won't cause any trouble. "They have a right to be treated humanely but we have to remember they are in prison to be punished." Inmate boasts of 'luxury' life in prison - Telegraph