Anger over prison pics

Inmates appearing on Facebook ‘Banter’ page

BRAZEN Tayside prisoners have posted photographs of themselves on a “banter” Facebook page.

Inmates at Perth Prison are among thousands of prisoners who have posted images from their cells on “HMP Banter”.

The page has almost 30,000 members and was set up as a forum for excons. It is understood mobile phones were used inside the prison to upload the images onto the Facebook page.

Back in January it was revealed that mobile phone recoveries were on the rise there. Staff seized 79 phones during 2016, up from 23 in 2014.

The “HMP Banter” page features multiple images and videos, including some of inmates in their cells.

A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said: “We do not permit access to the internet and therefore to social media sites. Possession of a mobile phone in prison is a criminal offence. If we receive information to suggest prisoners are in possession of such devices, we will take appropriate action and report it to the authorities.”

Partial figures for 2017 have been released by the SPS which showed that mobile phone recoveries amounted to 36 up to November 6.

There was outrage in 2016 when a photo of Dundee murderer Matthew Pope in prison was circulated on Facebook.

Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: “Serving time in prison is not a badge of honour in our society.

“Nor should victims or their families feel prison custody is anything other than the ultimate sanction for crime.

“It certainly is not banter. It is not appropriate. Sharing these images, with the Scottish Prison Service’s logo clearly seen, runs the risk of diluting the message that prison is punishing offenders.

“I can only imagine the potential for anguish, were this to be seen by the victim of a crime committed by one of these men.” Ourvoice PAGE 16

Perth prisoners have posted their photos on social media.