Three British drug smugglers have been spared the death penalty in Indonesia, but experts reveal that the conditions they will face whilst serving their sentences will be hard to endure
Three British drug mules have been sentenced to one year in prison after being caught smuggling over 900 grams of cocaine into Indonesia.
At first, it was feared that all three could face the death penalty after coming afoul of the country’s strict anti-drug laws. However, Lisa Stocker, 39, her partner, Jon Collyer, 39, and accomplice Phineas Float, 31, were spared this fate – and could be back in the UK relatively soon after finishing their prison sentences.
The trio were arrested on February 1 at Bali’s international airport, after a routine search found 17 packets of Angel Delight in their luggage, in which £300,000 of cocaine was hidden. It comes after a woman, 20, was found dead on bus with 26 iPhones glued to her body.
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Collyer had 10 of the packets in his suitcase, and Stocker had seven, and their accomplice, Float, was due to receive the 922g of the Class A drug a few days later. All three pleaded guilty to the smuggling charges and were sentenced to one year in prison. Because of time served, they should be home by January 2026 – but the conditions they will have to endure in the meantime will likely take a “heavy psychological toll”, experts have warned.
All three of the drug smugglers are expected to serve their sentences in Kerkoban prison – a facility notorious for its overcrowded conditions, gang deaths, and riots.
Criminologist and psychologist Alex Iszatt explains to the Mirror: “Unlike many foreign drug offenders in Indonesia who face long sentences or even the death penalty, this case is unusual for the relatively light sentencing. The court pointed to their remorse and polite behaviour as mitigating factors. But that doesn’t make their time behind bars any easier.
“Jonathan Collyer, Lisa Stocker, and Phineas Float have avoided execution, yes, but their one-year prison sentences will still be brutal – marked by harsh conditions, isolation, and a heavy psychological toll, even for such a short term.
“Indonesian prisons, especially Bali’s notorious Kerobokan facility, are overcrowded, under-resourced, and riddled with corruption.”
Adam Jones, Legal Expert at HD Claims, echoes these sentiments, explaining that despite the short length of their sentences, it will still be an incredibly challenging period for the three Brits.
“While the couple have avoided the death penalty – which is still a legal punishment for drug trafficking in Bali – their sentence will still be extremely tough by UK standards,” Adam says, adding, “Prison conditions in Bali are known to be strict and, in some cases, harsh – with overcrowding, limited access to healthcare, and hard labour not uncommon. Communication with family members is possible, but often restricted and subject to state approval, making regular contact a challenge.”
Inaccessible healthcare will present problems for Stocker, who is said to suffer from some health problems.
“Health concerns add another layer of difficulty. Lisa reportedly has pre-existing skin cancer, and Indonesia’s prisons have very limited healthcare facilities. These prisons are also hotspots for diseases like tuberculosis and dengue fever, while chronic illnesses often go untreated,” says Alex.
Both experts felt that being foreign nationals in the notorious jail will bring extra challenges for Stocker, Collyer, and Float.
“Foreign prisoners may also face added scrutiny or stigma and often struggle to understand or access legal or procedural support compared to local inmates,” Adam explains.
Alex noted, “As foreigners convicted of drug offences, they occupy a precarious position inside prison. Locals may resent them, seeing them as targets, but their British nationality could also buy some protection – if they have the funds to bribe guards or gangs.
“Physical violence might be less common because of their short sentences, but extortion, intimidation, and psychological pressure remain very real risks.”
There is a chance that the three Brits could “fare slightly better” Alex explains, but the expert pointed out that Indonesian prisons are a world away from what people from the UK might expect to find.
“Foreign inmates sometimes fare slightly better, but basic necessities – clean water, medical care, even a decent place to sleep – are often in short supply. These prisons are nothing like what Brits expect. Prisoners rely heavily on money sent from family to buy essentials like food and medicine. Without that support, they’re vulnerable to the system’s harsh realities.”
Stocker and Collyer – a couple – are not likely to be together during their sentences – or have much contact, the experts explain, which could add to the psychological pressure they are under during their time in prison.
“Lisa will be held separately in the women’s section, while Jonathan and Phineas will be in the men’s. Conjugal visits are almost unheard of in Indonesia, meaning Jonathan and Lisa may not see each other throughout their sentence,” explains Alex.
“Foreign nationals in Indonesian prisons are typically separated by gender, so it’s very likely the pair will be placed in different facilities, with little to no direct contact. That, combined with language barriers and unfamiliar cultural expectations, can create a highly isolating experience,” Adam said.
There is no doubt in Adam’s mind that it will be an “extremely tough” sentence for the three Brits, with the expert pointing out, “Their mental and physical resilience will be tested throughout their sentence.”
Alex agreed, explaining, “The mental strain is severe. After the terror of facing the death penalty, the shock of incarceration, even for a year, can cause intense anxiety and depression. Language barriers and social isolation only make it worse.
“While their sentence is lenient by Indonesian standards – where drug traffickers often face decades behind bars or execution – the reality is that a year in Kerobokan will feel much longer. The one silver lining is that their sentence will be reduced by the time they’ve already spent in detention since February 2025, meaning they could be out by early 2026.”
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