HC Deb 08 February 1999 vol 325 cc53-5W
Sir Robert Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of reported drug use there were in prison establishments in Scotland(a) in each of the last 12 months and (b) in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [68544]

Mr. McLeish

Figures on reported drug use in prison establishments in Scotland are available from the mandatory drug testing (MDT) programme. This includes samples taken as part of a random sample (10 per cent. of all prisoners each month); from prisoners suspected of misusing drugs; from prisoners known previously to have used drugs; from prisoners being assessed for specific opportunities, including open conditions and home leaves; and as part of reception testing of those recently admitted to prison.

Interim figures for the financial year April 1998 to March 1999 are available for the period up to and including December 1998, and are shown in the table:

Month/year Number tested Number positive Percentage positive
1998
April 1,110 328 30
May 1,018 312 31
June 1,066 320 30
July 1,050 322 31
August 1,101 339 31
September 971 270 28
October 1,086 271 25
November 1,064 289 27
December 901 242 27

Final figures for the financial year 1998–99 will be reported in the 1998–99 Scottish Prison Service Annual Report and Accounts. For the last three months of the financial year 1997–98, figures were as follows:

Month/year Number tested Number positive Percentage positive
1998
January 977 319 33
February 1,027 311 30
March 1,116 333 30

Figures are not available prior to February 1996, the date from which mandatory drug testing was phased in across the Scottish prison estate.

In the last two months of the financial year 1995–96, testing took place in two establishments. A total of 315 urine samples were taken, of which 135 returned positive, a rate of 43 per cent.

In the financial year 1996–97, 4,855 samples were taken from prisoners, of which 1,654 returned positive results, a rate of 36 per cent.

In the financial year 1997–98, 12,093 urine samples were taken from prisoners in the mandatory drug testing programme, of which 3,779 returned positive results, a rate of 31 per cent.

From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.