HC Deb 14 July 1997 vol 298 cc32-4W
Mr. Malins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many serving prisoners were convicted of criminal offences committed during the currency of their sentence in the most recent year for which figures are available; and how many of these offences were drink or drugs-related. [8572]

Mr. George Howarth

Information on prisoners convicted of criminal offences committed whilst in custody is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

According to court proceedings data for 1995 collected centrally, 166 persons were returned to custody under sections 38 and 65 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991—failure to comply with early release licence conditions. Of these, six persons were sentenced at the same court appearance for driving etc. after consuming alcohol or drugs. There were no persons sentenced for drug offences or for drunkenness.

In 1995, 299 persons were returned to custody under section 40 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991—commission of a new offence before the previous sentence is served in full. Of these, five persons were sentenced at the same court appearance for drug offences and seven persons were sentenced for driving etc. after consuming alcohol or drugs. There were no persons sentenced for drunkenness.

In 1995, a further 185 prisoners were recalled by the Parole Board under section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991, of which 84 had committed further offences. Information on their offences is not readily available.

1996 data will not be available until the autumn.

Mr. Malins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what measures he proposes to reduce illegal drug taking and alcohol consumption in prisons; [8567]

(2) how many instances of illegal drug taking and alcohol consumption in prisons were discovered in the most recent year for which figures are available; and how many resulted in disciplinary action. [8569]

Mr. Howarth

In 1996–97 some 21,700 mandatory drug test samples were positive for drugs. This figure includes results from both random and targeted tests which led to 16,757 adjudications for misuse of controlled drugs. Information on the number of instances of alcohol consumption is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Knowingly consuming alcohol became a disciplinary offence in February this year. The first use of this charge in disciplinary proceedings occurred in May.

The Government are fully committed to reducing the level of substance misuse in prisons. We intend to build on existing measures to reduce the supply of drugs in prisons by a combination of mandatory drug testing and drug treatment programmes. The Prisons (Alcohol Testing) Act was enacted in March this year. The Prison Service is currently considering the implementation of a pilot programme of mandatory alcohol testing.

Mr. Malins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what Government schemes currently exist to enable serving prisoners to cure alcoholism or drug abuse. [8571]

Mr. Howarth

All prisons provide detoxification, education and counselling facilities to prisoners with substance misuse problems via the prison health care centre, probation department or community drug agencies. Many provide additional drug treatment programmes, for example, rehabilitation units or drug free areas supported by voluntary testing. The Prison Service is also spending £6.09 million this year on pilot drug treatment projects at 59 establishments. These include therapeutic communities, three-month treatment programmes, enhanced detoxification units, intensive counselling and education services and community-linked throughcare programmes.

Mr. Malins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what improvements he proposes to make in his procedures to search prison visitors to ensure that no illegal drugs or alcohol are brought into prisons. [8566]

Mr. Howarth

The Prison Service is implementing a range of measures to improve searching procedures which will minimise the smuggling of contraband into prisons. The most important one is the issuing of the new security manual at the turn of the year. This will publicise new standardised procedures for searching prisoners, visitors and vehicles, and will reinforce messages on good local supervision and audit of procedures. Recent increases in local training time should also contribute towards the improvement in searching procedures.

Mr. Malins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has held with(a) the Prison Officers Union and (b) prison governors concerning illegal drug taking and alcohol consumption in prisons; and if he will make a statement. [8570]

Mr. Howarth

We have not as yet had the opportunity for substantive talks on these particular topics. We are fully committed to reducing the level of drug and alcohol misuse in prisons and we will discuss developments with the trade unions as they arise.