A convicted murderer has had his recommended transfer to an open prison blocked by the Justice Secretary after being identified as a drill rapper whose music appeared to boast about killing a schoolboy.
From Life Sentence to Masked Rapper
Jake Fahri, now 36, was sentenced to life in prison in 2008 for the murder of 16-year-old Jimmy Mizen. The attack occurred in a bakery in south London, where Fahri threw a glass dish at Jimmy. The dish shattered and severed blood vessels in the teenager's neck, causing his death. Fahri was ordered to serve a minimum of 14 years.
He was released on licence in June 2023 upon completing that tariff. However, his freedom was short-lived. In January 2024, he was recalled to prison after a newspaper investigation revealed he was the masked drill artist known as 'Ten'.
Lyrics and Lies: The Parole Board's Dilemma
Music by Ten, which had been showcased on BBC radio station 1Xtra and was available on platforms like Spotify and YouTube, featured lyrics that seemed to reference Jimmy Mizen's killing. The artist in the videos wore a balaclava to conceal his identity.
During recent Parole Board proceedings, Fahri accepted he was the rapper Ten but disputed that his music was autobiographical or 'about his own life'. The panel recommended against his release but suggested he could be moved to open conditions, which have minimal security and allow prisoners to spend time in the community on licence.
The written decision stated: 'The panel determined that Mr Fahri needed to reflect on his attitude, thinking and behaviour, so that he could better understand himself, including why he failed to be open and honest with the professionals managing his case.' It concluded this work could be done in an open prison.
Victim's Family Relief as Justice Secretary Intervenes
That recommendation was met with shock by Jimmy Mizen's family. His mother, Margaret, 73, said she was glad when Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy rejected the move.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: 'Jimmy Mizen’s murder was a horrific crime, and our thoughts remain with his friends and family. Public protection is our top priority, which is why the Deputy Prime Minister has blocked Jake Fahri’s transfer to open conditions.'
Margaret Mizen told reporters that Lammy's decision showed Fahri had 'not changed his attitude'. She expressed sadness that he had not turned his life around, stating it validated long-held concerns about his behaviour. 'He got into the witness box at his trial and lied through his teeth. Clearly, he hasn’t changed,' she said.
The case highlights the strict criteria for moving prisoners to open conditions, which includes being at a low risk of absconding. The Justice Secretary's intervention underscores how a prisoner's conduct and perceived attitude, including activities like creating controversial music, can directly impact their progression through the system.
