Lewes Prison inmates' shopping spree revealed

12:30pm Friday 5th October 2012 in News By Neil Vowles

Inmates at Lewes Prison have bought themselves hi-fis, games consoles and designer clothes while serving time.

Prisoners also ordered DVDs and books glamourising the criminal life, including French gangster film Mesrine, Sky drama Boardwalk Empire and the autobiography of drug smuggler Howard Marks.

Figures obtained by The Argus reveal that prisoners have spent more than £13,000 on clothes, electrical items, CDs and books through approved retailers since April this year.

Convicts also bought recordings of famous Johnny Cash gigs played from inside San Quentin and Folsom prisons, according to the Freedom of Information request.

Under current prison rules, prisoners can order approved items through companies including Argos, Amazon and fashion retailer M and M Direct.

Until 2008, some prisoners were allocated PlayStations bought with public money.

Now, only prisoners with certain privileges are permitted to buy games consoles with their own funds or receive them as gifts.

PlayStations accounted for eight of the ten most expensive items requested from Amazon this year. Prisoners are banned from games carrying an 18 certificate, although they were allowed to buy violent games such as America’s Ten Most Wanted, Devil May Cry and Manhunt.

Orders placed with Argos included extra bedding, hair clippers, desk fans and sunglasses.

Inmates also ordered designer clothes from Timberland, Henley’s, Diesel, Helly Hansen and Firetrap.

Inmates cannot use a credit card and can only use funds from their prison accounts.

They do not have access to the internet and must select the items from a catalogue, sending a form to the prison’s finance department, which then decides whether the application is acceptable.

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: “The prison will always check if the requested items are allowed in the prisoner’s possession at their establishment.

“There is a limit on what prisoners can spend and items are paid for from their own funds at no cost to the taxpayer.

“The main concern always is to ensure that goods allowed in possession or sent into the prison do not compromise the good order and discipline within the prison.”

Comments(17)

Camel54 says...
1:29pm Fri 5 Oct 12

So this story says that some prisoners buy some things with their own money. And that what they can have is controlled.
So its not a story at all, is it?

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Simon Mew says...
1:31pm Fri 5 Oct 12

Its like a holiday camp.

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banargustrolls says...
1:46pm Fri 5 Oct 12

It's not a 'spree' at all is it, as it's a contained amount per head. Come on..

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Atticus says...
1:48pm Fri 5 Oct 12

Simon - I've never heard of a holiday camp where they lock you in.

It's a prison. Inmates can spend their own money within the restrictions layed out by the prison staff.

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tooned_in says...
1:57pm Fri 5 Oct 12

shock horror as Lewes inmates given 3 meals per day and access to showering facilities, reports also coming in are that toilet paper has been found inside a cubicle!

Another fabulous news story from the nearly award winning Argus

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Beethoven says...
2:16pm Fri 5 Oct 12

Is it correct to refer to "convicts" when many of Lewes prisoners are un-convicted and on remand?

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BagelCat says...
3:20pm Fri 5 Oct 12

I don't understand how this is wrong. They are spending their own money within guidelines set out by the prison officers.

Slow news day eh? The holiday comment is just plain pants on head stupid.

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PETE OF QUEENS PARK says...
4:29pm Fri 5 Oct 12

Suppossed to be in prison as a punishment it is not a bloody rest home

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gnarlychaos says...
4:48pm Fri 5 Oct 12

If i was banged up in an overcrowded slum like Lewes prison, then top of my shopping list would be a set of bolt croppers, some rope and possibly semtex.
The Argus is itself a catalogue.

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bumbar says...
6:22pm Fri 5 Oct 12

This is disgusting,why are not given these items out of taxpayers money instead of having to spend their own hard earned money.

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neilchi says...
9:53pm Fri 5 Oct 12

This story is a nonsense. The Home Office decides what items can and cannot be bought by prisoners, You cannot just go and buy a playstation you have to be a 'role model prisoner' before you are allowed to earn the right to buy one. The argus are really slopping out on this story

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gheese77 says...
10:40am Sat 6 Oct 12

Prison now use the carrot rather than the stick to encourage good behavior

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Charlie Oscar says...
11:39am Sat 6 Oct 12

It takes upto 3 months to be an "enhanced prisoner" who fcan then have a few extra privys, which include an extra visit (for convicted prisoners) and items such as playstations and dvd players.
Its nothing special really,but makes a difference to them.
Unless a prisoner is on a basic regime, they have a TV with some freeview channels on.
Most prisoners have access to a gym there and is a good way of keeping fit.

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GIVE UP says...
12:33pm Sat 6 Oct 12

Bought with money they've earnt from working in prison, the way you've reported it sounds like if you've got money outside you'll be alright inside playing games, watching TV and listening to music

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lorrie1 says...
7:01pm Sat 6 Oct 12

The best thing to do when you get sent to prison is get some kind of job fast, Stay off drugs and dont cause trouble,The pay sucks £7-8 a week, but youve got plenty of time to work. Once youve saved a bit they MIGHT let you buy a LUXURY item which can ONLY be bought from the argos catoluge ie tv/games console,books and sensible items.

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F in L says...
12:39am Mon 8 Oct 12

Crappy non story Neil, try harder.

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F in L says...
12:39am Mon 8 Oct 12

Crappy non story Neil, try harder.

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