Muslim gangs ‘take control’ of drug-ridden prison

From The Telegraph

Muslim gangs have gained unchecked control of one of the most drug-ridden violent prisons in Britain, watchdogs have warned.

Prisoners are making knives in the jail, drones are bringing in weapons and drugs, and inmates are regularly assaulting staff and each other, say the watchdogs.

Charlie Taylor, HM chief inspector of prisons, said HMP Swaleside in Kent was dangerous, dirty, rife with drugs and had a “pervasive sense of despair”, as he placed it in special measures, forcing David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, to draw up an emergency action plan.

Mr Taylor said the prison, where nearly a third of the inmates are Muslim, had the “worst scores of any jail in my five years as chief inspector”.

His damning assessment followed a similar report by the prison’s local watchdogs which expressed concern about the gang culture in the prison.

“A recurring theme is the perception of widespread violence, including bullying by both prisoners and staff, as well as unchecked gang control, particularly by religious gangs, which many prisoners report feeling powerless and unsafe against,” they said.

Their report said that throughout the year, there had also been evidence of rival gangs battling over control and drugs, racist comments and discrimination against Jewish prisoners.

Violence, they said, was a “constant theme” and the “manufacturing of bladed weapons on site is ominous”.