§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison inmates were reported as (i) using needles or syringes for the injection of drugs and (ii) involved in sexual activity in contravention of prison rules, (a) in 1986 and (b) in the current year to date.
§ Mr. John PattenInformation is not available in the form requested. The best evidence available by which to assess the level of any form of drug misuse in prison department establishments is the number of finds of substances or implements. In 1986, there were some 2,300 reports of such finds, the great majority of which were of cannabis or of implements for smoking cannabis. Finds of 27 needles and 41 syringes were reported. Some of the finds of needles and syringes were associated. In the first eight months of the current year, 929 reports were received, of534W which the great majority again concerned finds of cannabis and related implements. During the same period, nine needles and 13 syringes were reported to have been found. Again, some of the finds of needles and syringes were associated.
There is no disciplinary offence under the rules which relate specifically to sexual activity and it is not possible to identify separately charges in relation to such activity.