Gangs Infiltrating British Prisons: The Rise of Sleeper Agents
How gangs are planting 'sleeper agent' prison officers in jails 🔗
Gangs are infiltrating British prisons by recruiting individuals with no criminal backgrounds to become prison officers, acting as 'sleeper agents' for drug smuggling operations. This tactic exploits the current crisis in prison recruitment and retention, allowing organized crime groups to place their associates inside jails. Recent inspections revealed high levels of drug use among inmates, with many staff being implicated in smuggling activities. Experts highlight that inexperienced officers are particularly vulnerable to manipulation by inmates, leading to a growing concern over the safety and integrity of the prison system. Although there are measures in place to combat this issue, the effectiveness of drug testing and officer vetting remains questionable.
- Gangs hire individuals with clean records as prison officers to smuggle drugs.
- Inexperienced officers are more susceptible to manipulation by inmates.
- Drug use among inmates is alarmingly high, with recent inspections showing over half testing positive.
- The recruitment crisis in prisons has led to lax hiring standards, raising concerns about security.
What are 'sleeper agents' in the context of British prisons?
Sleeper agents are individuals recruited by gangs to work as prison officers without any prior criminal record. They are used to smuggle drugs into jails by exploiting their positions.
Why is the recruitment of prison officers a concern?
The ongoing crisis in recruitment and retention has led to relaxed hiring standards, making it easier for gangs to infiltrate prisons and increasing the risk of corruption among staff.
What recent findings have been reported about drug use in prisons?
Recent inspections revealed that over half of inmates tested positive for illicit drugs, indicating a significant issue with drug smuggling and use within the prison system.