MP Demands Ban On Sale Of ‘Prison Phones’

Harborough’s MP is calling for a ban on the sale of tiny mobile phones, which are being smuggled into HMP Gartree to be used by inmates to continue their criminal activity.

Neil O’Brien with one of the phones

Neil O’Brien says he has taken up the matter of so-called “prison phones” after speaking to Prison Officers at the jail near Market Harborough.

He is particularly concerned about the way the small devices – some smaller than matchboxes – are being marketed on on-line retail websites, like eBay and Amazon, explicitly to make them attractive to prisoners, under the labels “HMP Phones” and “Beat the Boss” phones.

They can be bought for as little as £20, but sold inside for as much as £500

Some models are sold specifically on their ability to go undetected by body scanners used by prison staff.

Mr O’Brien spoke to Hfm:

eBay has told Hfm it works with Police and regulators to ensure all its listings comply with the law and will remove items that could imply or encourage illegal activity.

Amazon has yet to comment.