How did prisoners use HMP Wayland's library for drug dealing?

Prisoners used book borrowing as a cover, with inmates from different wings mixing in the library to deal crack cocaine, heroin, and spice.

What actions were taken at HMP Wayland after the drug racket was uncovered?

Staff at HMP Wayland restricted the number of prisoners who could visit the library to prevent further illicit activities.

What concerns have been raised about drug use in prisons?

The Justice Committee warned that drug use in prisons has reached endemic levels, with widespread availability normalizing drug use and increasing the risk of deaths.

Home / Crime and Justice / Jail Library's Book Club Becomes Drug Den

Jail Library's Book Club Becomes Drug Den

1 Feb

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Summary

Prisoners used the library as a front for dealing crack cocaine, heroin, and spice.
Inmates from different wings mingled in the library, expanding the drug market.
Staff restricted library access after discovering the illicit drug operation.

Jail Library's Book Club Becomes Drug Den

At HMP Wayland, a prison library's book borrowing scheme was exposed as a cover for a drug-dealing operation. Staff became suspicious as prisoners showed an unusual interest in reading, discovering that crack cocaine, heroin, and spice were being trafficked. The library's environment, where inmates from different wings could interact, facilitated a wider market for these illicit substances.

In response to this discovery, prison authorities have implemented measures to restrict the number of prisoners allowed in the library. This situation highlights the ongoing challenge of drug use within prisons, a concern acknowledged by ministers who are taking action through the Sentencing Bill to stabilize the prison population and address key challenges.

The Justice Committee's report had previously warned about 'endemic' drug use in prisons, fostering a dangerous acceptance that needs to be broken. The report noted the widespread availability of illicit substances makes them inescapable for prisoners, with 39 percent finding drugs easy to obtain.