Shocking new weight loss drug market opens behind bars for Britain’s hardest criminals | Politics | News

Fat prisoners were ordering weight loss pills from bosses behind bars, a scathing report has revealed. Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor said organized crime gangs were offering weight loss and hair loss drugs in prisons as a new “lifestyle” market opened up.

Mr Taylor warned that criminals were able to “pick a menu” because gangsters were filling prisons with so many drugs. He said the ringleaders “acted with impunity” and made “enormous amounts of money” despite being locked up.

Mr Taylor said: “This shows the scale of the problem facing the Prison Service.

“Inmates can purchase anabolic steroids, as well as weight loss pills and other hair loss medications, as well as illegal drugs such as marijuana and ketamine.

‘In some prisons, inmates can choose from a menu of drugs from a range of different ones.’

In his annual report published today, Mr Taylor said: “When prisoners have little to distract them, they often resort to ready-made drugs to pass the time.

“Criminals’ ability to use drones to transport contraband has transformed the drug market in many prisons.

“Technology has improved further and packages have become larger.

“This means prisoners can now order commonly used drugs such as spice, ketamine and cocaine, as well as cannabis and lifestyle medications such as Ozempic, Minoxidil (for hair loss) and anabolic steroids, as well as mobile phones, memory cards and chargers.”

In a worrying assessment, Mr Taylor said prison governors had “lost the fight against crime”.

And in a shameful reflection of the crisis behind bars, wings designed to encourage inmates to clean up are “filled with drugs”.

Its report reveals: “Frustration, boredom and despair are driving demand for drugs across the estate, but prison services have failed to reduce this demand.

“With a few exceptions, incentivized substance-free living (ISFL) wings designed to support inmates to remain drug-free are rarely effective in supporting recovery for many addicts in prison.

“In some cases ISFL’s wings are infested with drugs, while in others they are inhabited by members of organized crime gangs who prefer to live apart from the chaos they create elsewhere in the prison.

“The majority of prisoners will not be able to break the cycle of crime and imprisonment unless they are offered a path to recovery.”

Mr Taylor repeated warnings about gangs controlling the airspace above prisons with drones.

The report added: “The government’s failure to take this national security threat seriously means many prisons are losing the fight against crime.

“Senior figures in organized crime gangs appear to be operating with impunity and building successful prison networks that generate enormous amounts of money.

“They exploit many drug-addicted, mentally ill inmates whose families often have to pay significant debts to prevent their sons or partners from being attacked.”

Prisons minister Lord Timpson said: ‘This report accurately highlights the serious ongoing challenges in our prisons, while also noting encouraging signs of progress; 76% of recent inspections detect improvement; This reflects the determination of prison staff who work every day to change lives.

“There is more to do, which is why we asked former Conservative Home Secretary Amber Rudd to lead an independent review to help shape the next phase of reform, using these green shoots to make our prisons safer and more secure, strengthen rehabilitation and better protect the public.”