Convicted killer Luke Mitchell has failed drug tests behind bars, stalling his preparation for freedom.
Mitchell was found guilty of killing his 14-year-old girlfriend Jodi Jones in 2003. She was found stripped, stabbed and almost decapitated near her home in Dalkeith, Midlothian.
The murderer, who insists he is innocent, was ordered to serve at least 20 years in prison and could get out on parole next year. In July 2021, Mitchell was moved from high-security Shotts jail in Lanarkshire to HMP Greenock, where he was housed in Chrisswell House – typically used to prepare long-term prisoners for progression to an open prison.
But plans for “community access visits” were withdrawn after Mitchell failed two random drug tests. His supporters now claim he could be facing a further three years inside before being considered for release.
A prison source said: “Mitchell came to Greenock in 2021 but has since been in bother where he’s failed drug tests. He has also complained over decisions made about his requests to be allowed to visit his mum in Midlothian.
“He claims he’s only been taking drugs due to the treatment he’s receiving inside. It’s been explained to him that his community access was withdrawn due to his own actions but he’s refusing to engage with that.”
The 34-year-old has launched several failed appeals against his murder conviction. His supporters believe he could be exonerated by DNA tests, claiming at least 10 samples on Jodi’s body were never tested.
Campaigners for Mitchell’s release took to social media this week to urge their supporters to write to the prison service, the governor of Greenock prison and their MSPs to complain about “breaching prisoner’s rights”. The message adds: “It’s time to use the anger and upset as fuel to demand action.”
An example draft letter sent to supporters – to be sent on to the authorities – claims that until recently he has been a “model prisoner”. But it insists the treatment he has received by the prison service has “all but broken him”.
They admit Mitchell tested positive for illegal drugs last year and again this year but blame his treatment in prison for his drug use. The letter raises concerns about restrictions to Mitchell’s Community Access Leave, describing his situation as “psychological torture”.
They also talk about him not being able to visit an “extremely ill” family member, who they say is too sick to visit him in Greenock. They conclude the sample letter by raising fears Mitchell could face three more years in prison after his 20-year punishment period is up “through no fault of his own”.
Jodi’s family, who have been subjected to awful abuse by Mitchell’s campaigners, have previously called them “deluded” and maintain the case against him was “solid.” A relative said: “It’s no surprise that Mitchell has got himself in bother but it’s now being preached that the prison service is in the wrong.
“All through this campaign the ringleaders have sought to blame everyone else for his imprisonment except for the man found guilty by a jury.
“It is everyone else’s fault he has served a life sentence. They keep saying it’s justice for Jodi, too. It is offensive to us they are using her name to try and free him. He takes illegal drugs but somehow that’s the prison’s fault?”
Police Scotland and the Crown Office have both previously said there was no miscarriage of justice.
The Scottish Prison Service did not wish to comment on an individual prisoner.
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