ADAM MARCHMENT SHOCKING PRICE RACKET IN SURREY AND ISLE OF WIGHT PRISONS
A convicted sex offender, Adam Marchment, has raised serious concerns about the inflated prices he faces for basic food supplies inside prison facilities, specifically in Surrey and at HMP Isle of Wight.Marchment, who was sentenced to ten years in April of the previous year after admitting to the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl and the rape of a 15-year-old girl, has publicly voiced his frustrations regarding what he claims is a blatant exploitation of prisoners through exorbitant canteen prices.
From his cell at HMP Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight—an institution that, along with HMP Albany, is now officially called HMP Isle of Wight—Marchment embarked on an informal but detailed price comparison survey.
He enlisted a family member outside the prison to verify the costs of common food items online and at major supermarket chains.
The results of this comparison were startling and led him to believe that prison authorities and the privatized canteen vendor, DHL, are engaging in unfair pricing practices.
According to Marchment, the official canteen offers products at prices significantly above market rates.
In an article published in this month's edition of Inside Time, the magazine circulated among prisoners, he expressed his frustration: “Like many others, I am really starting to get frustrated by HMPPS (Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service) responses to the many complaints about our privatized, over-priced canteen system.” Marchment, heavily tattooed, questioned the assurances given by prison officials that they do not charge beyond the recommended retail price (RRP).
He detailed that his outside contact checked the prices of several items, revealing discrepancies.
For example, on the online retailer Princes.co.uk, a tin of mackerel fillets in tomato sauce has an RRP of £1.45.
However, prisoners are routinely charged £1.75 by DHL.
Moreover, multiple supermarket price comparison websites and retail data indicate that such items rarely exceed the £1.40 mark in standard stores.
Typically, prisoners can purchase four tins for five pounds—a bargain not reflected in the canteen prices.
In addition to canned goods, Marchment highlighted that the costs for everyday items such as Nescafe Original 150g coffee are marked up considerably.
Whereas the retail price is £2.99, the prison vendor charges £3.99.
The most glaring example, he notes, involves extra virgin olive oil.
A 500ml bottle is priced at £1.99 at supermarkets, yet DHL sells prisoners 250ml containers at the same rate—an obvious overcharge that doubles the price on a per-milliliter basis.
He stated clearly, “DHL continues to rip us off and is getting away with it.” His message underscores a broader concern that prison authorities are ignoring the implications of restricted access to outside information and are complacent about the financial exploitation prisoners endure.
“It’s about time HMPPS stopped dismissing these complaints and realized prisoners have access to the outside world and will question the nonsense they try to feed us,” Marchment declared.
Born in Farnham, Surrey, Marchment’s criminal history is well-documented.
His conviction and subsequent ten-year imprisonment stemmed from a series of offences.
In April 2016, he was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court after admitting to one count of sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl in September 2015, and he was found guilty of raping a 15-year-old girl in July 2014.
The same court also heard that Marchment had gone into hiding in October 2014 after breaching his parole conditions.
During this period, he taunted law enforcement agencies through social media, including uploading a YouTube video titled “Man on the Run,” in which he boasted about his evasion tactics and mocked police efforts.
In the video, wearing sunglasses and a hoodie, he addressed viewers directly: “Hello everyone, I’m Adam Marchment and as you all know I am a wanted man.
I have now been on the run for 37 days.
Ive got a little message for Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire Police—run run as fast as you can, you can’t catch me, I’m the Marchment man.” His flight was short-lived; shortly thereafter, law enforcement apprehended him.
The Prison Service has responded to public inquiries and criticism regarding the pricing practices.
They stated that their goal is to provide value for money to taxpayers across all contracted services.
A spokesperson emphasized that all public sector prisons operate under a cost-neutral contract, which prohibits charging above the market RRP.
They clarified that the prisons must adhere to the National Product List (NPL), ensuring that no products are sold at inflated prices.
The spokesperson reaffirmed that prison canteen prices are regulated accordingly, and prisoners are never to be charged more than the manufacturer’s recommended retail price for any item sold through the system.
