HC Deb 22 December 1997 vol 303 cc654-5
16 Mr. Spring

What steps he is taking to tackle drugs misuse in prisons; and if he will make a statement. [20174]

Ms Quin

The Government are committed to reducing drugs misuse in prisons. We intend to reduce the supply of drugs in prisons and to provide help to prisoners who misuse, have misused or are at risk of misusing drugs. To help achieve that, I have asked the Prison Service to examine its drug strategy to determine how best to ensure an appropriate balance between security and control measures on the one hand, and treatment and prevention measures on the other. I expect to see the recommendations in April.

Mr. Spring

Given the alarming increase in drugs usage in prisons, will the hon. Lady assure the House that the inquiry will give proper recognition to the entry of drugs into prisons? Many of my constituents who live near prisons and others are concerned about the ease of access to life-threatening and highly addictive drugs in the prison system.

Ms Quin

The hon. Gentleman is right: that is a problem, and we have modified search procedures and other measures to take account of it. At the same time, we must also make as effective as possible the treatment and prevention measures to which I referred.

Mr. Ronnie Campbell

Does my hon. Friend agree that many prisoners with drug problems are put on methadone courses, which are causing difficulties? Will he commission an inquiry into the use of methadone in order to determine whether that is the right method for weaning people off drugs?

Ms Quin

I pay tribute to the work that my hon. Friend has done in raising issues related to drugs misuse, which I know is a particular problem in his constituency. Methadone can play a stabilising role, but we need to look carefully at its effects as well as all other aspects, to ensure that we have a balanced treatment programme.

Mr. Malins

If the Minister is determined to stamp out drugs in our prisons, why does not she insist that those who work in prisons—including all prison staff—are subject to the same search procedures as visitors upon entering prisons?

Ms Quin

There is no evidence that that is a particular problem. We must direct our attention to those who work in or visit prisons, such as members of the legal profession and probation officers. We must ensure that search levels are appropriate for those who come into prisons.