Inmates charged with making rap video in prison

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/sep/16/inmates-charged-birmingham-prison-rap-video

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Two criminals accused of filming a rap video behind bars have been charged in what is believed to be the first prosecution of its kind.

Demehl Thomas and Moysha Shepherd have been charged with an offence of making a sound recording in HMP Birmingham. The pair are said to have used a banned mobile phone to film a “selfie rap” featuring boasts about drug dealing and violent assaults on rival gang members.

The Sun reported on the expletive-filled performance last month after footage was uploaded to the internet.

West Midlands police said Thomas and Shepherd, both 25, had been charged with “making a sound recording without authorisation at some stage between 1-16 August this year”.

The force said it was believed to be the first prosecution of its kind under the 1952 Prison Act. If convicted the pair could face an extra two years behind bars.

DI Nick Dale said: “The law is intended to minimise the potential for a camera or recording device being used to produce images or sound which can then be transmitted to people outside the prison and possibly compromise security or pose a threat to the safety of prisoners and staff.

“There is no security issue in this case … rather an allegation of two inmates brazenly defying prison rules to show off and give the impression they are still calling the shots behind bars. I hope the decision to charge these two individuals shows this kind of behaviour won’t be tolerated and we will always seek to prosecute offenders.”

Birmingham prison, which has a capacity of 1,450 inmates, has been run by G4S since 2011. Its director, Pete Small, said: “The decision to charge these men sends a strong message to prisoners who think they can brazenly break prison rules without consequences.

“While these men have already been stripped of their prison privileges I am delighted that West Midlands police have also brought charges and they now face additional time behind bars. Today’s decision is testament to our strong links with the police, and prisoners should be in no doubt that where legislation exists in addition to prison rules, we will always pursue the toughest sanctions possible.”