UK Prison Brimming with Drugs but insufficient CCTV because of Grade II listed status

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HMP Maidstone, a historic prison in Kent, has been denied the installation of CCTV cameras due to its Grade II listed status, despite ongoing concerns about drug smuggling. Investigators have reported that the prison is overwhelmed with illegal substances, yet cameras cannot be placed on its perimeter wall, which has been protected under Historic England's National Heritage List since 1973. The 600-capacity facility, which has housed notorious figures such as Reggie Kray and Soviet spy John Vassall, faces significant security challenges as a result.  

 

An insider from the justice system revealed that prison officials were exploring alternative locations for CCTV away from the listed walls. However, the Independent Monitoring Board previously expressed concerns that the absence of full CCTV coverage was "regrettable" due to the historic nature of the prison. The watchdog emphasized that the primary method of smuggling contraband into the prison is through "throw-overs," where individuals outside simply hurl illicit packages over the walls. It also noted that local police do not allocate resources to prevent these incidents.  

 

The board further highlighted that the smell of cannabis within the prison had "increased markedly" and seemed to have become "accepted" and "normalised." The main drug-related issues within the prison include widespread cannabis use, along with occasional cases involving spice and cocaine.  

 

A spokesperson for the Prison Service responded to the concerns by stating, "As part of our commitment to bear down on drugs in prison, HMP Maidstone is due to have a new CCTV system installed which will cover all internal and external areas. This is on top of the prison’s existing security measures—such as X-ray scanners, which also detect illicit items."  

 

The drug problem at the prison has also been linked to the use of drones for smuggling. In April, a couple was sentenced to a combined seven years in prison after being caught flying a drone over HMP Maidstone as part of a large-scale smuggling operation. Sajad Hashimi and his wife, Zerka Marana, were found to have carried out more than 100 drone drops into 11 prisons and young offenders' institutions over the course of a year.  

 

Throw-overs remain a persistent issue at the Category C prison. In one incident in 2019, authorities discovered 15 parcels containing smuggled items, including drugs, that had been thrown over the wall in a single night. The security concerns at HMP Maidstone extend beyond drugs. In September, Sasan Rabat was convicted of murder after launching an attack on a fellow inmate with such brutality that police described it as "almost indescribable."  

 

Despite the limitations imposed by its listed status, authorities are under pressure to address the ongoing security challenges at HMP Maidstone. While the planned CCTV system aims to enhance surveillance within the prison, the issue of external smuggling remains a difficult obstacle to overcome.

 

Based on a report by Daily Mail  2025-03-11

 

 

[Purdey]

Put up poles 50 feet from the walls and put 4 cctv cameras on each. 

[Watawattana]

There are small radars on the market that can easily detect drones.  They don't need to be mounted on the walls so no impact on the Grade II listed status.

[frank83628]

I have been to UK prisons and can safely say its total bullshi, not a deterrent, more like an inconvenient  youth club, major reform needed, 

[rough diamond]

22 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

I have been to UK prisons

By choice?

[frank83628]

14 minutes ago, rough diamond said:

By choice?

Of course not, what a stupid comment.