MARK LEECH FRSA

Editor: The Prisons Handbook 2026; The Cell Companion 2026; Prison Law Index 2026; Converse Newspaper; The Prison Oracle web site. Views my own.

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

#Converse
In June's 40-packed pages we lead with the shocking demand Andrew Malkinson, who served 17 years for a rape he did not commit, must use his compensation to pay for legal bills and experts needed to prove his innocence! https://t.co/ELjAqIOre0

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

#ThePrisonOracle - #Exclusive
Why are there Prison Staff Shortages?
Because the number of individuals currently awaiting completion of security and vetting checks prior to commencing employment within HMPPS has now reached almost 15,000!
News Desk https://t.co/ELjAqIOre0

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

#ThePrisonOracleIn May's 40 packed pages we lead with the quashing of 6 IPP sentences and the hope that it will lead to more of the same for this sentence-type that remains a festering boil on the face of our criminal justice system. Grab your copy now!
https://t.co/CsMx8vAKSr

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

#Breaking #ChildDeathinCustody
Feltham death. A YCS spokesperson said: “We were saddened to hear of the death of a child from YOI Feltham, who died in hospital on Monday 20 April, and our thoughts are with their friends and family.
https://t.co/ELjAqINTos

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

#ThePrisonOracle
Exclusive: It'll cost millions to replace cell bells in every prison after a prisoner was found hanged and CCTV revealed he'd pressed his cell bell only for other prisoners to mute it; a system defect the coroner says must be rectified....
https://t.co/CsMx8vAKSr

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

#ThePrisonOracle
New figures show the number of prison officers convicted in 2025 of misconduct in public office for having an inappropriate relationship with prisoners was the highest number in any single year since records began. Details on our News Desk
https://t.co/UlvJho3fGq

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

#Obituary
It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the death of my dear friend Bobby Cummines OBE, who has died aged 74 after being hit by a car in Warley, Brentwood.
https://t.co/0qCrOQMP6i

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

https://t.co/fthXRzSPXb
#IanHuntley #Huntley

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

#ThePrisonOracle
The March 2026 edition of Converse, the largest circulation national prisons monthly newspaper, published today - https://t.co/CsMx8vAKSr

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

#ThePrisonOracle The 40-page February 2026 edition of Converse, the largest circulation national monthly prisons newspaper for E&W is out today - published in print, and on in-cell technology, and on 2,500 offline laptops in 90 prisons too! https://t.co/ELjAqIOre0

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

Did you spot it?
How 'Earned Release' began by being earned by engagement with 'education, skills and training' - and then, in a click of the political fingers, whoosh, all mention of 'education, skills and training' disappeared to be replaced by just 'avoiding bad behaviour'?

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

#ThePrisonOracle
MOJ confirms no Court or Judge has the legal power to direct prison staff to use force to compel a prisoner to attend court for sentencing.
https://t.co/kYlZB2WMij

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

#Converse - January 2026 edition out now.
https://t.co/CsMx8vAKSr

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

This Urgent Notification is unprecedented in severity. Drones daily deliver drugs, chronic understaffing, burnt out inexperienced staff, filthy living conditions, this prison that has ceased to function as a place of safe custody, let alone rehabilitation.
https://t.co/kYlZB2WMij

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

#ThePrisonOracle
The 40-page December 2025 edition of Converse, the largest circulation national monthly prisons newspaper for E&W is out today - published in print, and on in-cell technology, and on 2,500 offline laptops in 90 prisons too!
https://t.co/ELjAqIOre0

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

Got something to say?
If you have a view on the effectiveness, credibility, future development or very existence of Independent Monitoring Boards in our prisons that you want to share - read on...
@_imb

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

#ThePrisonOracle
Total ban on smoking in prison is unlawful judges rule
https://t.co/kYlZB2WMij
#smoking #prison #caselaw #judgment #rights

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

The media blame focus today on #ReleasesInError suggests they're being hidden from the public- but that isn't true. RIE figures are published in the @hmpps Digest annually - the focus needs to be how to reduce/end RIEs; blame is not a useful concept here as it prevents progress.

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

Wakefield Prison: Second 'murder' in a month as three prisoners arrested
https://t.co/kYlZB2WMij

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

@fmspear @_Imbs_ The #IMB system is fragile at the best of times but right now, with the 'Stop Complaining Template Letter' due to be issued by all IMBs to prisoners starting in January 2026, it is in an existential crisis.

[MARK LEECH FRSA @prisonsorguk]

HMP Downview - mass resignations from the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Downview have followed the removal of the Board's popular Chair after an alleged 'conflict of interest' that it hotly disputed..
https://t.co/Tv4vQJDd32