Scots prison service turns to gadgets in drugs war

Published on Friday 16 July 2010 16:37

The Scottish Prison Service has unveiled its latest weapons in the battle against illicit drug-taking in jails.

Equipment able to detect minute quantities of substances on clothing and skin is being used to prevent drugs being smuggled into prisons. Scanners that reveal metallic objects concealed internally are also used.

Scottish Prison Service (SPS) officials yesterday published a new strategy to combat the supply of and demand for drugs in prisons.

It revealed that mobile phone detecting equipment was used to prevent prisoners making drug deals, while dogs sniffed out illegal substances.

The SPS also said it planned to cut demand for drugs in prison by offering tailored treatments to help addicts. Prescription of the heroin substitute methadone will be reviewed amongst users who are at risk of harm or who "abuse the system".

The NHS and SPS aim to integrate health services that will help addicts stay off drugs when they are released. The SPS said recovery was the "explicit aim" of all drug treatment services.

Figures released by the SPS reveal that 56 per cent of prisoners test positive for drugs when they go into prison.

According to last year's Annual Prisoner Survey, 19 per cent of prisoners committed crimes to fund their drug habit. Forty-five per cent said if they were offered help for their drug problem in prison they would take it.

Community safety minister Fergus Ewing said: "Drugs in prisons reflect society, where drugs remain a major problem.

"Robust security measures to prevent illegal drugs entering prisons together with a treatment focus is a welcome approach to support prisoners to address not only their offending behaviour but also their recovery from drug use."