PRISON officers say they are delighted Love Island is back on telly tonight — because warring inmates put their differences aside to follow the hit ITV dating show.
Sources said wings on jails, and particularly young offender institutions, quieten down during the series as young lags are hooked on goings-on at the villa.
One insider said you can “hear a pin drop” at West London’s Feltham prison for adult males and juveniles, Britain’s most violent jail, at 9pm each night during the programme’s run.
There are fewer assaults on guards and fellow inmates as prisoners are glued to the show, hosted by Maya Jama.
A source said: “Attacks go down in the summer while Love Island is on.
“Gangs put their differences aside.
“Officers are delighted when it starts, as it makes their lives easier and they get some respite.
“Prisoners all discuss which girls they fancy — and which boys give them the hump.”
The source added: “The boys at Feltham aren’t usually scared of punishments — the only thing that makes them behave is the fear of losing their TV during Love Island.
“They are all banged up by 9pm when it starts and it’s the only time you will be able to hear a pin drop on a prison wing.
“Then there’s a load of cheering and shouting when they find out which couple are being sent home — no lad wants to miss out on it.”
