Treat jailed drug dealers like radical extremists, prisons watchdog says

Jailed offenders who continue to flood prisons with drugs should be separated from other inmates and “firmly managed,” according to the prisons watchdog for England and Wales.

Charlie Taylor, the chief inspector of prisons, warned that major drug dealers are operating inside jails with little consequence. He argued they should be isolated, regularly searched for contraband like mobile phones, and placed under stricter systems of punishment and reward based on their behavior.

His call for change comes amid growing concern from MPs about ongoing violence and disorder in high-security prisons, driven largely by widespread drug trafficking. These facilities house some of the most dangerous offenders in England and Wales.

Taylor said organized crime figures are able to quickly resume illegal activities once inside prison, often running operations and making money almost immediately. He believes authorities should adopt a tougher approach—separating such individuals and making it clear they must stop orchestrating drug supply networks if they want access to normal prison conditions. Increased use of searches and sniffer dogs was also recommended.

He noted that officials already know who the key offenders are and pointed to the success of isolation units used for extremist prisoners as a model. Separating high-risk individuals, he said, has previously improved prison safety.

A parliamentary report found drug use in prisons to be widespread, contributing to violence and debt. It revealed that over 10% of male inmates and nearly 40% of female inmates developed drug habits while incarcerated, with many reporting that drugs are easy to obtain.

Inspections at high-security prisons such as HMP Manchester, HMP Swaleside, and HMP Woodhill uncovered rising violence linked to drug use.

Taylor also raised concerns about drones being used to smuggle contraband, calling it a growing national security threat. He cited incidents at HMP Long Lartin, where even weapons have reportedly been delivered this way. In one case, an 11kg package containing phones, SIM cards, drugs, and other items was found.

He criticized authorities for being slow to respond to the drone threat, warning that such breaches in high-security facilities could have serious consequences.

Looking ahead, Taylor expressed concern about new policies around prisoner recalls. Changes introduced on March 31 mean offenders recalled for breaching conditions will now typically serve 56 days before release. He questioned whether enough planning has been done to manage these prisoners effectively during that time.

He also warned of risks to the public, particularly victims of domestic abuse, if offenders are released without proper support. With long court delays, some individuals spend time in prison before trial and are later released with little preparation, increasing the risk they may return to previous harmful environments.

The Ministry of Justice acknowledged challenges in the prison system and said it is investing millions in security measures, including anti-drone technology, to tackle contraband and reduce violence.