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Drugs, Bribery & Violence: The Secret Prison Economy | Life Inside

The UK prison system has a rich and thriving black market, with its own micro-economy based on tinned fish. Drugs, food, iPhones, and games consoles are everywhere – if you know where to look (and who to ask). VICE speaks to former prisoner and filmmaker Chris Atkins, author of ‘Time After Time’ and ‘A Bit of a Stretch’, about how prisoners get contraband and chicken stew inside their cells.

English
  • Originally Aired February 2, 2024
  • Runtime 7 minutes
  • Network YouTube
  • Production Company VICE Media
  • Created November 28, 2025 by
    AddingStuffIsFun
  • Modified November 28, 2025 by
    AddingStuffIsFun