Prison crackdown could see lags’ pals prosecuted for posting videos filmed behind bars to Instagram & TikTok
PALS of jailed cons could be prosecuted for posting videos filmed inside prisons under a tough new law.
A new Prison Media Bill has made filming and uploading footage shot behind bars a criminal offence.
The move closes a loophole where it was only a crime for inmates to post prison footage.
Last year, Ministry of Justice bosses found 890 pieces of “harmful” content online.
The crackdown – approved by parliament this week – is aimed at shielding victims from being “re-traumatised” and boosting jail security.
Edward Argar MP – Minister for Prisons, Parole and Probation – said: “Tackling harmful content filmed behind bars is critical to our plan to protect the public and ensure the safety and security of prisons.
“There is no place for such footage on the internet, and our priority is safeguarding the welfare of victims and staff.
“Those who upload this illegal content will no longer have anywhere to hide.”
Social media pages promoting jail videos and pictures – including Prison Life UK – are popular on sites including Instagram and TikTok.
Some footage has seen lags boasting of a cushy life, taking drugs, boozing, having parties and cooking steaks.
The bill will make it easier to removed content from social media platforms.
Previously that could only be done if it could be proved that it was uploaded from inside a prison’s walls.
The new law tightens up the Prison Act 1952 and removes a loophole which has allowed cons to spread often-distressing pictures and videos.
It covers videos, pictures and audio recordings and also criminalises the filming of staff – a security risk – and content captured by drones.
The move follows a £100 million investment in jail security with airport-style scanners plus airspace restrictions banning flying a drone with 400 metres of a prison.
Tory MP Katherine Fletcher, who introduced the bill, said: “Crucially, for the first time, this bill means it will not matter whether the uploading of unauthorised images happened inside or outside the prison – an offence would have been committed either way.”
Shocking vid shows cons ‘downing shots and drugs’ in UK’s cushiest prison
Cons appear to party with booze and drugs in video footage that has sparked a probe at Britain’s cushiest jail.
The clips show inmates — believed to be inside for drug crimes — smoking and downing “slammers”.
They also have tasty-looking party grub, including food from a trendy air fryer, at soft Five Wells prison Northants.
One caption seems to boast of them having Ciroc and Grey Goose vodkas, and Wray & Nephew Rum. They then appear to lick salt from their hands and bite a lemon wedge before downing their shots.
They then dance to music and appear to smoke dope.