A committee of Members of Parliament has raised concerns about a pervasive culture of tolerance surrounding the high levels of drugs in correctional facilities, putting lives at risk. According to the Justice Committee, 39% of inmates find it easy to access drugs, a situation that severely hampers the HM Prisons and Probation Service’s efforts to maintain control and aid in the rehabilitation of offenders.
A recent report highlighted the significant human toll resulting from this crisis, with 16% of 833 deaths investigated between December 2022 and 2024 linked to drug use within prisons. The report also revealed troubling statistics, showing that 11% of male inmates and 19% of female inmates reported developing substance abuse issues after entering prison, particularly noting a concerning shift towards the use of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) due to their affordability, accessibility, and potency.
In response to these findings, the Justice Committee urged the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and HMPPS to take immediate action to enhance prison drug testing procedures and conduct a thorough review of medication dispensing protocols to address any loopholes. Additionally, the committee called for an increase in Mandatory Drug Testing rates and the swift implementation of wastewater-based surveillance to detect new substances.
The report also highlighted the growing threat posed by drones, which are being used to smuggle not only drugs and mobile phones but also weapons, including firearms and explosives, into prisons. Incidents of drone sightings around prison facilities have surged by 77% between 2019 and 2023.
Andy Slaughter, the Chair of the Justice Committee and a Labour Member of Parliament, emphasized the urgent need to address the endemic drug crisis in prisons. He underscored the detrimental impact of illicit drug trade on the safety, control, and rehabilitation efforts within the prison system, calling for comprehensive reforms to combat the supply of drugs by criminal organizations, reduce drug demand, and tackle the misuse of advanced drone technology.
The Justice Department has been contacted for further input on this matter.
