Exclusive: Union claims some offenders are deliberately breaking probation terms in order to deal drugs in jail
Record numbers of offenders are being recalled to prison in England and Wales with union officials claiming that some are deliberately breaking the terms of their probation in order to deal drugs in prison.
Prison sources said that after the implementation of early release schemes, as many as 5,000 men were recalled in December alone – more than a third of the total number released in the year to June 2025.
The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) claimed many were deliberately breaking the terms of their licence so they could profit from a lucrative drugs market in jail.
There are concerns too many prisoners are being released into the community without housing or support under early release schemes launched to ease the prison overcrowding crisis.
