Ex-convicts go back into prison to smuggle drugs

Former convicts are getting sent back to prison deliberately in order to smuggle drugs and other contraband to inmates, a watchdog has warned.

A report released today says inmates are regularly “manipulated” by gangs into committing minor breaches of the terms of their release. They are then returned to prison for short periods and are able to smuggle in illicit substances, which can be sold at a profit to other inmates.

Portland prison’s independent monitoring board issued the warning after a rise in the number of inmates being returned to the prison.