Rise in inmates on social media

THE number of prisoners caught using social media has more than trebled, figures reveal.

Inmates have heaped misery on victims and taunted authorities over Facebook, Instagram and Twitter from their cells using illicit mobile phones.

The number of active accounts deleted by the Ministry of Justice went from 133 in 2014 to 462 last year.

This year officials had already removed 364 accounts by the end of last month.

In November the Mail revealed inmates at HMP Guys Marsh in Dorset had posted photos on Facebook showing offenders drinking alcohol and taking drugs.

Diana Fawcett, of charity Victim Support, said the figures were potentially ‘very distressing for victims’ who could be left feeling unsafe.

Ministers warned that those breaking the rules could face an extra two years’ jail. Justice Secretary David Lidington said that prison staff were taking ‘unprecedented action’.