HC Deb 24 July 1986 vol 102 cc397-8W
Sir Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will instigate an inquiry into the availability of drugs in the prisons;

(2) what arrangements there are to prevent drugs from being smuggled into prisons; how many cases there have been over each of the past five years of prisoners' visitors being found to be engaged in such activities; and how many prosecutions there have been for such offences.

Mr. Hurd

Because it is so important to keep illegal drugs out of prisons we are consistently reviewing and seeking to improve the means of doing so. Regular and special searches are conducted, including the use of dogs specially trained in drug detection work. The number of trained dogs has been increased. The quality of the information available centrally about the incidence of drugs in prisons has been improved. Staff training on drugs has been improved. A new training package aimed specifically at the problems and needs of the prison service was issued to all establishments last year. Further instructions, which pay particular attention to the prevention of smuggling, will soon be issued. The normal procedure is to refer to the police a case in which a visitor is found to be engaged in smuggling, or in which there is reason to believe that a visitor intends to smuggle drugs into an establishment. Information is not at present available centrally about the numbers or the outcome of such cases. If I thought that a general inquiry into the subject would help to improve our procedures further I would set one up, but that is not my judgment at present.

Sir Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has of cocaine and heroin being smuggled into Highpoint prison in Suffolk.

Mr. Mellor

Highpoint's records show that, since 1 January 1983, heroin has been discovered there on two occasions — once in 1983 and once this year — and cocaine on no occasion. Police and internal inquiries are being conducted into recent allegations regarding the smuggling and abuse of drugs at this establishment.