2,000 phones in jails but only 12 inmates convicted

A MERE 12 prison inmates have been convicted for possessing mobile phones — despite more than 2,000 devices being confiscated in jail, it emerged yesterday.

Dublin Fine Gael TD Lucinda Creighton branded the prosecution rate “laughable” and warned drug bosses may still be able to control gangs and even order murders from jail.

“Only 30 legal proceedings have been launched against prisoners since May, resulting in just 12 convictions. Twelve convictions for 2,010 mobile phones seized is a rate of less than 1%.This is a serious failure.