Crime

Chief Inspector warns of ‘revolving door’ as 1,750 inmates released early

Published

6 days ago

September 11, 2024

CONCERNS are mounting as around 1,750 inmates are set to be released early from overcrowded UK prisons, despite warnings that the scheme could lead to increased instability in communities. A former inmate from HMP Parc in Wales cautioned that “unstable” prisoners, who have not been rehabilitated, will soon “come back out on to the streets.”

The controversial decision has been made to alleviate overcrowding, with the government stating that failure to act would have led to a “total collapse of the criminal justice system.” However, Charlie Taylor, Chief Inspector of Prisons, has criticised the scheme, warning that prisons risk becoming a “revolving door” where offenders return to crime due to inadequate rehabilitation efforts.

Mr Taylor highlighted the strain this mass release will place on already stretched probation services, telling Sky News on Tuesday (Sept 10): “It’s a risky time with so many prisoners coming out at the same time.”

Normally, around 1,000 prisoners are released weekly, but with this scheme, an additional 1,700 offenders will be freed. Another wave of 2,000 releases is expected in October, heightening the risk to public safety.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood defended the decision, attributing the move to a prison system on the verge of collapse. She stated: “The alternative would have seen a total breakdown of law and order, with courts unable to conduct trials and police unable to make arrests.” She assured that early release does not apply to inmates convicted of sexual offences, serious violence, terrorism, or domestic abuse.

The government’s decision coincides with a damning report from the Chief Inspector of Prisons, which paints a grim picture of life behind bars. The report reveals a surge in drug use, self-harm, and violence in prisons, with 30 out of 32 inspected institutions rated poorly in providing purposeful activity. It also highlights the issue of overcrowding, with 60% of prisons over capacity, exacerbating already dire conditions.

At HMP Bedford, 30% of prisoners due for release had no secure accommodation, adding to the concerns that many offenders may find themselves homeless, compounding their likelihood of reoffending.

A former inmate of HMP Parc, Zack Griffiths, who has campaigned for prison reform, shared his concerns about drugs entering the prison, claiming that corrupt officers and drones were smuggling substances in. He said: “These people are not being rehabilitated. Inmates are going to come back out on to the streets… and I consider them to be a higher risk because they’re using drugs, they’re unstable.”

***Former HMP Parc inmate and Herald.Wales reader Zack Griffiths said on Sky News this week that drugs came into the prison via corrupt officers***

The problem of synthetic drugs in prisons, particularly spice and nitazines, has been linked to several deaths. Earlier this year, there were ten deaths in HMP Parc over just three months, and self-harm incidents in the prison have doubled in the past year. One case, involving 26-year-old Ryan Harding, who died of a suspected overdose, highlighted the growing danger of synthetic drugs inside prisons.

Ryan’s mother, Catherine Harding, criticised the prison, alleging that her son was more vulnerable due to inadequate medical treatment for his epilepsy and that prison officers were involved in bringing drugs into the facility.

HMP Parc, which is privately run by G4S, has faced significant scrutiny. While the company expressed condolences to families affected by inmate deaths, it acknowledged the challenges posed by a “small minority” of corrupt officers.

The early release programme, intended to relieve pressure on the prison system, has sparked widespread concern, with fears that many released inmates will breach their bail conditions or reoffend, leading them straight back to overcrowded prisons.

Crime

Fugitive drug dealing matriarch finally behind bars after 16 months on run

Published

2 hours ago

September 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A KEY figure in a major drug-dealing operation that stretched across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Swansea has been captured and is now behind bars after 16 months on the run. Lynne Leyson, 51, was arrested on Sunday evening and appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday, where she was committed to prison to begin her nine-year sentence.

Leyson, alongside her husband Stephen and son Samson, ran a lucrative cocaine and cannabis network from their smallholding in Capel Dewi, near Carmarthen. Despite being convicted for her role in the operation, she went on the run in July 2023, skipping bail just before sentencing. Her husband and son were jailed in her absence.

The family’s criminal enterprise was exposed after a significant police operation, codenamed Operation Hilston, led to the discovery of large quantities of drugs and weapons at their property. Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police raided the compound in October 2021, seizing more than half a kilo of cocaine, 1.4kg of cannabis, and £17,000 in cash. The haul also included a semi-automatic pistol—the first of its kind ever seized by Dyfed-Powys Police.

The police operation linked the Leyson family’s drug distribution network to dealers operating in Pembrokeshire. One individual, going by the nickname Mr Pickles, was identified as a key player selling drugs for the family.

At trial, all three members of the Leyson family were convicted of conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs. Stephen Leyson, 55, was additionally convicted of possession of a firearm. In July, he was sentenced to 11 years in prison, while 22-year-old Samson Leyson was sentenced to six years. In September, Lynne Leyson was sentenced to nine years in her absence, with Judge Catherine Richards describing her as the “dominant force” in the drug enterprise.

Judge Richards noted that Lynne Leyson had played a leading role in directing the drug conspiracy from the farm, using her influence to control others involved in the operation.

Since going on the run, Leyson had travelled extensively across the UK, eluding police for more than a year. However, her return to the Dyfed-Powys Police area on Sunday led to her arrest. A 26-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender but has since been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Detective Chief Inspector Rhys Jones, who led the investigation, expressed his gratitude to the public for their assistance in locating Leyson. “This arrest shows our determination to find those who think they can evade justice. I would like to thank the public for their assistance and the officers for their dedication and persistence,” he said.

The Leyson family’s downfall marks the conclusion of a long-running investigation and a significant blow to organised crime in West Wales.

The police said that their operation has sent a clear message that drug-related crime in the Dyfed-Powys area will not be tolerated.

Crime

Pembrokeshire man to appear in court charged with Narberth rape

Published

7 hours ago

September 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A 46-YEAR-OLD man from Pembrokeshire will appear in Haverfordwest Magistrates’ court today facing multiple sexual offence charges, including rape, as the result of an incident alleged to have occurred in Narberth in 2022.

It is alleged that Richard Murray, recently of Hill Street, Haverfordwest, penetrated the mouth of a woman with his penis without her consent and without any reasonable belief that she was consenting.

In addition to the rape charge, Murray faces two further charges of a sexual nature.

The second charge alleges sexual assault on a female over the age of 16.

The prosecution claims that Murray intentionally touched the woman in a sexual manner without her consent and without reasonably believing that she was consenting.

The third charge involves an attempted sexual offence.

It is alleged that Murray attempted to cause a female to engage in a sexual activity without penetration, specifically by trying to make her place her hand on his penis.

Murray is expected to be present in the court for this initial hearing, it is likely that the case would be, due to its nature, adjourned to Swansea Crown Court.

Crime

Police appeal after male hospitalised in Castle Square assault

Published

1 day ago

September 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating an incident which occurred at about 1.05am, Sunday, September 1.

A 23-year-old man was taken to hospital with head injuries following the incident on Castle Square, Haverfordwest.

A 21-year old man was arrested on suspicion of assault and later released on condition bail pending further police enquiries.

Anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police, either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.