Joel Dexter is in prison because he handed himself in to the police for killing his stalker, Tommy Odenkirk, in a violent rage. However, it was later revealed that the actual murderer was serial killer Jez Blake, who made Joel believe he was responsible. Joel has been in prison since May, and he is recently shown in the show interacting with fellow inmate Tony Hutchinson, indicating his ongoing storyline behind bars in Hollyoaks.