CORRUPT prison guards who smuggle in drugs or sleep with inmates are being targeted by a Line of Duty-style team.
The task force announced today by the Ministry of Justice will tackle the “chaos and violence” caused by warders who break the law.
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A crack squad of 29 specialist staff will gather intelligence on security threats, then pursue those found to have brought contraband behind bars.
The Counter-Corruption Unit is set to be likened to AC-12, the fictional police squad from hit TV drama Line of Duty.
Justice Secretary David Gauke said: “Our prison staff are overwhelmingly dedicated and honest.
“But a small minority continue to engage in corrupt behaviour.
“We’re closing the net on these individuals.”
It emerged earlier this week that 2,666 prison staff in England and Wales were disciplined in the past five years.
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Of these, 960 had breached security rules — with many smuggling contraband such as drugs or mobiles.
There were 13,119 drug seizures in the past year.
The Ministry of Justice is already spending £7million on improving security behind bars including bringing in airport-style scanners and phone-blocking technology.
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