Britain’s high security jail now controlled by Islamic extremists, Old Bailey hears
CROOKS are now begging their barristers to keep them out of a British prison over fears they will be forced to become jihadis in jail.
Grown men are scared to go to Belmarsh prison over radicalisation fears
There is a sense the prison authorities have lost control
Some of Britain’s most dangerous criminals are scared of being sent to London’s Category A Belmarsh Prison due to radicalisation behind bars.
Barrister Rupert Pardoe told the Old Bailey the “authorities have lost control” of the prison, where one third of inmates are Muslim.
As his client begged not to be sent to the infamous prison, home to Lee Rigby slayers Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale and the 21/7 bomb plotters, he said criminals are being put under “pressure to conform to certain religious views”.
Soldier Lee Rigby's killers are in Belmarsh
He said even the most hardened criminals were too frightened to receive visits from relatives.
He was speaking on behalf of smash and grab robber Lee Smith, 24, who had refused to get off the prison bus to enter the Old Bailey fearing he would be sent to Belmarsh in Thamesmead, south-east London.
Speaking at at Smith’s sentencing hearing at the Old Bailey Mr Pardeo said: “There is a sense the prison authorities have lost control.
“Many defendants are in total lockdown in fear of a need to conform to certain religious views in Belmarsh.
“My client didn’t wish to get off the bus because he feared he would be returned to Belmarsh.”
Smith, from Bloomsbury, central London, who has 25 past convictions, was jailed for five years for the 13 cash in transit robberies.
It is not known which prison he was sent to.
Emdadur Choudhury and Mohammad Haque (R) take part in a protest as they leave Belmarsh Magistrates
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson denied the barrister's allegations.
He said: “These allegations are untrue. HMP Belmarsh is not in lockdown and the prison continues to operate as normal.
"The most recent inspection report found HMP Belmarsh to be a safe, decent and secure establishment, with low levels of violence and drug use.”