The parents of a teenager stabbed to death in Gloucestershire have voiced their profound anger and distress after discovering his killer has been actively posting on social media from within prison. Joshua Hall was just 17 years old when he was fatally attacked in Cam, near Dursley, in 2021. His assailant, who was 15 at the time of the crime, was subsequently sentenced to 14 years in custody.
Kirsty and Michael Hall, Joshua's parents, described their shock at seeing images of the killer posing with other inmates, suggesting a 'gangster image' is being projected. They question the individual's remorse and argue that such actions undermine the principles of the justice system. The family has struggled to obtain clear answers from the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) regarding how these images were taken, what disciplinary action will follow, and why the social media account remained live for a period.
The Halls are now advocating for an increase in the killer's sentence, arguing that the original 14-year term was already too lenient, and these latest breaches provide a compelling reason for reconsideration. "Why not go quietly? Why not take your punishment? You took a life – where is your regret? Where is your remorse?" Ms Hall stated, reflecting her anguish. Mr Hall added that the ability for an offender to connect with the community in which their surviving son lives leaves them feeling helpless.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice has confirmed that having a mobile phone in prison and posting on social media is strictly illegal. They described the situation as "totally unacceptable" and stated they are "acting immediately" to investigate how this occurred. The MOJ has also affirmed that any offender found with a mobile phone in prison will face punishment, which could include additional time added to their sentence. The posts in question have since been removed.
This incident has also drawn attention from Parliament, with Gloucester MP Alex McIntyre raising the issue with Justice Secretary David Lammy last month. He questioned the occurrence of such breaches and the measures being taken to prevent them. The MOJ highlighted its £40 million investment in new security measures aimed at clamping down on illegal items within prisons, reinforcing that those who break prison rules can face extended time behind bars.
Source: BBC