Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Prisons: Illegal Drugs

Tuesday 14 May 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government invests 100 million to tackle drug smuggling in prisons.
  • There were 19.7 percent fewer drug discoveries in March 2023 compared to March 2019.
  • HMP Parc's contract is performing well with one measure rated "good" and three "reasonably good".

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Beth Winter
Justice & Courts
Context

The number of drugs found in UK prisons over the last five years has been a concern, prompting an assessment of its implications on current policies.

Question

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the number of drugs found in prisons over the last five years?

Answer from Edward Argar

The Government take a zero-tolerance approach to drugs in prison, with £100 million invested into tackling contraband smuggling. In March 2023, there were 19.7% fewer incidents of drug discoveries compared to the year ending March 2019.

Answered
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Q2 Beth Winter
Justice & Courts
Context

The latest HM Inspectorate of Prisons report on HMP Parc in 2022 noted that almost half of prisoners had easy access to drugs, while evidence suggests the prison is understaffed with inexperienced staff.

Question

Would the Minister welcome a new inspection by the chief inspector given recent deaths and recorded violence at HMP Parc? Has he considered the Prison Service managing it due to its £400 million cost contract?

Answer from Edward Argar

Inspection matters are for the chief inspector, although recent challenges were addressed in an urgent question. Despite issues, Parc's contract is performing well with one measure of “good” and three of “reasonably good”. The Prison Service will continue to work with the prison.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific consideration for the Prison Service managing HMP Parc was not addressed directly.

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Q3 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
Justice & Courts
Context

A report found that despite a £100 million investment for new body scanners to detect drugs, they were not staffed at HMP Bedford.

Question

What is the point in spending £100 million on scanners if they are not even used?

Answer from Edward Argar

This investment applies across all prisons. The body scanners were used appropriately and in an appropriate manner at HMP Bedford.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The effectiveness and usage rate of the body scanners specifically at HMP Bedford was not directly addressed.

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