Flood of organised crime kingpins into jails fuelling fears of spike in violence

A surge of organised crime leaders entering prisons has sparked concerns of a rise in violence across Scotland’s penal system. Recent major investigations by Police Scotland have resulted in several drug kingpins receiving lengthy prison sentences, but there are fears that they will continue to operate their criminal networks from behind bars. This influx of criminal figures has led to ongoing gang feuds transferring from the streets to various Scottish prisons, including Barlinnie, Saughton, Shotts, Glenochil, and Low Moss.

According to intelligence data from the Scottish Prison Service, gang-related contract violence has reached a record high of £3 million, the number of crime gang members in prisons has increased by 21% in a year to 653 individuals, violent incidents have risen by 72% over two years, and the use of drones to smuggle drugs and weapons into jails has surged. Additionally, 8% of the total prison population is identified as a member of an Organised Crime Group.

Notable criminal organisations such as the Lyons and Daniel gangs, as well as key figures like Mark Richardson from Edinburgh, have been identified as influential forces within the prison system. The dismantling of the Encrochat encrypted phone network has led to the apprehension of high-profile criminals, including Jamie Stevenson, who received a 20-year sentence for drug trafficking and production activities amounting to £100 million and £28 million, respectively. Other accomplices like Lloyd Cross and Ryan McPhee also faced significant prison terms for their involvement in criminal operations.

In recent incidents, convicted drug dealer Christopher Smith was sentenced to seven years for managing a drug operation from within HMP Edinburgh, while gang member Martin Murphy received a four-year sentence for drug-related charges. Furthermore, Alan Stewart, Leslie Montgomery, and Matthew Cullimore were collectively sentenced to 14 years following a major drug investigation facilitated by the takedown of Encrochat.

A rise in gang-related violence within prisons was underscored by attacks targeting members of the Daniel crime clan, including James McDonald and Robert Daniel. The escalation of conflicts within the prison system has raised concerns about the potential for further violence and instability.

In conclusion, the influx of organised crime kingpins into Scottish jails poses a significant challenge for prison authorities in maintaining order and ensuring the safety of both inmates and staff. The interplay between criminal factions within prisons adds another layer of complexity to an already strained penal system. Efforts to combat organised crime activities behind bars must be intensified to prevent further violence and maintain the security of the prison estate.