THE GLAD RAGS & THE OLD LAGS
Boutique at prison that calls inmates ‘residents’
A JAIL that houses Baby P mum Tracey Connelly has created a “boutique” so lags can shop for clothes and toiletries.
Inmates – known as residents – have to book appointments at the Rags to Riches store so they can browse the racks.
The outlet at top security HMP Low Newton in Co Durham is staffed by cons to give them skills in the retail trade. It opened after coronavirus restrictions were eased and sells make-up, shower gel and shampoo, plus clothes, footwear, undies and books and DVDs.
The jail said: “We re-introduced activities this week, one of which was the opening of our Rags to Riches shop.
“This is strictly by appointment, and
Covid-safe measures are in place. We have 34 appointments this week and 54 next week. This has been greatly received by our residents.” Snaps of the facility were uploaded to the jail’s official Twitter feed .
The prison has come under fire in the past for calling inmates “residents” rather than prisoners.
The jail added: “The shop helps bring a piece of normality to prison life and has been popular since its opening.” In May 2009 Connelly was ordered to be held indefinitely, with a minimum term of five years, for causing or allowing the death of 17-month-old Peter at her flat in Tottenham, north London, in 2007.
She was freed on licence in 2013 but was jailed again in 2015 after breaking the terms of her indefinite sentence by selling porn selfies to ghoulish “fans”.
She was refused parole for the third time last year.
Baby Peter suffered more than 50 injuries at the hands of Connelly’s partner Steven Barker and his paedophile brother Jason Owen.
That was despite him being on the at-risk register and receiving 60 visits from social workers, police and health professionals over eight months.
TRAGEDY: Baby Peter. Inset, Connelly