David Lammy Blocks Open Prison Move for Jimmy Mizen’s Killer
The justice secretary has halted a move that would have eased custody conditions for a convicted killer, citing public protection concerns.
The UK justice secretary has blocked the transfer of Jake Fahri, convicted of murdering 16-year-old Jimmy Mizen, to an open prison.
The decision follows a recommendation by the Parole Board earlier this month and was confirmed by the Ministry of Justice on Friday.
Fahri, now 36, was jailed for life in 2009 after killing Mizen with a glass oven dish during an altercation at a south London bakery in May 2008.
The intervention matters because open prisons allow prisoners to work in the community and enjoy more relaxed security, a step usually reserved for those assessed as posing a lower risk.
Fahri was recalled to custody in January 2025 after allegations that he released drill music referencing the killing while on licence.
The justice secretary’s decision underscores the government’s power to override parole recommendations in the interests of public safety, a safeguard embedded in UK sentencing law.
Decision Follows Parole Review and Recall to Custody
Jake Fahri received a life sentence with a minimum term of 14 years, meaning he became eligible for parole consideration after that point but remained subject to strict licence conditions. He was released on licence in 2023, allowing him to live in the community under supervision.
In January 2025, the Ministry of Justice recalled Fahri to prison after media reports alleged he was releasing drill tracks under the name “Ten” that referred to the murder. Two tracks were later confirmed to have been broadcast on BBC Radio 1Xtra, with the broadcaster saying it was unaware of his identity at the time.
Earlier this month, the Parole Board declined to re-release Fahri but recommended a move to an open prison to address behaviour and compliance issues. The key point: the board saw open conditions as a management step, not freedom.
Justice Secretary Cites Public Protection and Public Confidence
The recommendation to move Jake Fahri to an open prison was blocked by Justice Secretary David Lammy, who also serves as deputy prime minister.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said the intervention was made on public protection grounds, confirming the secretary of state’s legal authority to override parole recommendations where risk concerns remain.
Under the Criminal Justice Act framework, the justice secretary can require a prisoner to remain in closed conditions if supervision or compliance issues persist.
The Parole Board’s published decision summary noted that Fahri breached his licence by failing to disclose music activity to probation officers and rejected his claim that he was unaware of the restrictions.
For victims’ families, the decision addresses concerns that more relaxed custody conditions could diminish the seriousness of the original offence.
More broadly, the case highlights how licence conditions operate after release and how recalls can be triggered when those conditions are breached, reinforcing that conditional release remains subject to strict oversight.
Broadcast Standards and Platform Responsibility
BBC Radio 1Xtra confirmed that two tracks linked to the artist name “Ten” were broadcast before Jake Fahri’s identity was known.
The BBC is regulated by Ofcom and operates under the Broadcasting Code, which requires due care when material relates to serious crime, harm, or public safety once relevant information is established.
In cases like this, broadcasters typically review playlists, contributor checks, and internal compliance procedures after new facts emerge. The episode highlights how platforms are expected to act promptly when identities and potential risks become clear.
Key questions answered
Why did David Lammy block the open prison move?
The justice secretary said public protection concerns outweighed the Parole Board’s recommendation. Under sentencing law, the secretary of state can intervene where risk management issues remain unresolved.
What is an open prison in the UK?
Open prisons have lower security and allow increased community access, typically for prisoners assessed as lower risk and approaching later stages of sentence management.
Was Jake Fahri released from prison?
No. The Parole Board rejected re-release and recommended only a transfer to open conditions. Following ministerial intervention, Fahri remains in closed custody.
Did the drill music breach his licence conditions?
The Parole Board found that Fahri breached licence conditions by failing to disclose the music activity to probation officers and rejected claims that he was unaware of the restrictions.
What Happens Next Procedurally
Jake Fahri will remain in closed prison conditions unless a future risk assessment supports a change in custody status. Any further consideration of his case would take place through a scheduled Parole Board review, informed by updated reports from prison staff and probation services.
No new parole hearing or release date has been confirmed. Any future decisions will be made through the established parole process and subject to oversight by the justice secretary.
