§ 27. Ms AbbottTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to restrict the availability of illegal drugs in prisons. [941]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe Prison Service is taking a number of measures to reduce the availability of illegal drugs in prisons. These include the use in many establishments of non-contact or closed visits for prisoners known or reasonably suspected to have used 325W drugs, improved liaison with local police forces over the charging of visitors who attempt to smuggle drugs, and the increased use of closed circuit television in visit areas. In addition some 70 establishments have dogs trained in detecting drugs, while others have arrangements for the regular loan of such dogs.