Sixfold rise in corrupt jailers ‘tip of iceberg’

THERE has been a sixfold increase in the number of prison officers convicted on corruption charges since a specialist investigation unit was set up.

In 14 months to January, there were 65 convictions of staff out of 143 cases, with 42 jailed. There were just ten successful prosecutions of 123 cases in the year after the unit was formed with 29 staff in April 2019.

Offences include supplying Class A drugs to prisoners and smuggling in banned items.

John Podmore, ex-governor of Belmarsh Jail, said: ‘It’s the tip of the iceberg.

‘The number of investigators is key. The more you have, the more you’ll catch.’