Recent reports have revealed that confidential prison layouts have leaked onto the dark web in the past two weeks, with prisons in England and Wales being affected by the breach. Organised crime groups could potentially use the information to smuggle drugs or weapons into prisons or plan escapes, according to a former prison governor who spoke to The Times. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has stated that it has taken “immediate action to ensure prisons remain secure” following the breach.
The leaked blueprints are said to include the locations of key security features, such as cameras and sensors, which could make it easier for criminals to bypass security or exploit vulnerabilities. Prison authorities believe the breach may be linked to organised crime groups aiming to use drones to smuggle drugs into prisons. While it is not clear which prison plans were affected, the Cabinet Office and the Prison Service are working to identify the source of the breach and assess who might benefit from the information.
The National Crime Agency has stated that it is providing support in an advisory capacity, but it is not investigating the incident. Meanwhile, the MoJ has declined to comment on specific security matters. A spokesperson has said: “We are aware of a breach of data to the prison estate and, like with all potential breaches, have taken immediate action to ensure prisons remain secure.”
An internal alert issued earlier this month first flagged the leak. The security breach will likely raise concerns about how public sector organisations handle confidential information. The MoJ and other government departments have faced criticism in the recent past for their handling of data
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