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1717651

registered interest
date	13/05/2024
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisons: Drugs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the £100m Security Investment Programme in preventing drugs being smuggled into prisons since March 2022.
tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
uin	25784
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government’s £100m Security Investment Programme, aimed at reducing the conveyance of illicit items such as drugs, was completed in March 2022.</p><p> </p><p>This investment delivered 75 additional X-ray body scanners resulting in full coverage across the closed adult male estate. As of October 2023, we have recorded 46,925 positive indications, helping to tackle the smuggling of drugs and other illicit items into prisons.</p><p> </p><p>The investment also funded Enhanced Gate Security at 42 high-risk sites, enhancing our routine searching of staff and visitors. Over 140 new staff were recruited into the Counter-Corruption Unit through the Security Investment Programme. This includes regional Prevent teams dedicated to building staff resilience through training, awareness raising and individual support, as well as 20 Police Investigators dedicated to investigating corruption within HMPPS.</p><p> </p><p>As part of this investment, we are undertaking a full evaluation for the Security Investment Programme. The evaluation explores whether the programme has achieved its intended outcomes, how the programme has been delivered, whether it has been delivered as intended and to identify factors which further strengthen its effectiveness.</p> answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar question first answered 16/05/2024 13:57:03 answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar
tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

1717078

registered interest
date	10/05/2024
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisons: Drugs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of random mandatory drug tests gave a positive result in each (a) prison and (b) young offender institution in the last 12 months.
tabling member constituency	Mitcham and Morden
tabling member printed	Dame Siobhain McDonagh
uin	25612
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2024 answer text <p>Figures for random Mandatory Drug Testing (rMDT) for 2023/24 cannot be released at this time, as rMDT data for April 2023 - March 2024 is subject to future publication in the 2023-24 HMPPS Annual Digest, to be published in July 2024.</p> answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar question first answered 20/05/2024 11:00:25 answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar
tabling member	193 label Biography information for Dame Siobhain McDonagh

1715322

registered interest
date	01/05/2024
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisons: Drugs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will publish a breakdown of drug incidents in prison by (a) drug type and (b) class since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Mitcham and Morden
tabling member printed	Dame Siobhain McDonagh
uin	24369
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2024 answer text <p>Drug finds are classified as incidents in His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service published data. The number of incidents of drug finds, broken down by drug type can be found at the following link: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fmedia%2F64c143fad4051a00145a9422%2F8.__Finds_drug_type_data_tool.xlsx&amp;data=05%7C02%7CJon.Mitchell%40justice.gov.uk%7C095262a995964d456d5908dc6a948d8b%7Cc687472871e641fea9e12e8c36776ad8%7C0%7C0%7C638502433456907288%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=KMlUSByXxH7Mt1lczLF%2BqrPjlPVFhP8uc%2FbQjyWmINI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64c143fad4051a00145a9422/8.__Finds_drug_type_data_tool.xlsx</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Please note the following caveats:</p><p>(1) It is important to consider with incidents of finds in prisons, that an increase in numbers may be as a result of more items being found, although not necessarily attributable to any one particular security counter-measure, rather than more items being present in prisons.</p><p>(2) More than one type of drug can be found in a single incident, therefore the sum of the drug types found will be higher than the total incidents.</p><p>(3) A new incident type was introduced in October 2015 to improve reporting of finds incidents. This included the introduction of several new drug types so the classifications are not directly comparable prior to this period. Buprenorphine, Gabapentin, Methadone, Pregabalin, Psychoactive substances, Steroids and Tramadol were all added during 2015-16, Benzodiazepines were added during 2016-17, and Ketamine was added during 2021-22. As a consequence the contents of the ‘other’ line will be different throughout the series</p><p> </p><p>All prisons have a zero-tolerance approach to drugs. Our £100 million Security Investment Programme, aimed at reducing crime in prisons, including reducing the conveyance of illicit items such as drugs, was completed in March 2022. This investment delivered 75 additional X-ray body scanners resulting in full coverage across the closed adult male estate. Under this programme, all public sector sites have also been provided with next-generation drug trace detection machines. This technology enables prisons to detect attempts to convey drugs into prisons. The equipment is effective in identifying drugs that have been soaked onto letters, clothing and other items.</p> answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar grouped question UIN 24370 question first answered 13/05/2024 08:44:40 answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar
tabling member	193 label Biography information for Dame Siobhain McDonagh

1715323

registered interest
date	01/05/2024
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisons: Drugs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will publish a breakdown by substance type of the number of finds of controlled substances in prison since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Mitcham and Morden
tabling member printed	Dame Siobhain McDonagh
uin	24370
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2024 answer text <p>Drug finds are classified as incidents in His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service published data. The number of incidents of drug finds, broken down by drug type can be found at the following link: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fmedia%2F64c143fad4051a00145a9422%2F8.__Finds_drug_type_data_tool.xlsx&amp;data=05%7C02%7CJon.Mitchell%40justice.gov.uk%7C095262a995964d456d5908dc6a948d8b%7Cc687472871e641fea9e12e8c36776ad8%7C0%7C0%7C638502433456907288%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=KMlUSByXxH7Mt1lczLF%2BqrPjlPVFhP8uc%2FbQjyWmINI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64c143fad4051a00145a9422/8.__Finds_drug_type_data_tool.xlsx</a>.</p><p> </p><p>Please note the following caveats:</p><p>(1) It is important to consider with incidents of finds in prisons, that an increase in numbers may be as a result of more items being found, although not necessarily attributable to any one particular security counter-measure, rather than more items being present in prisons.</p><p>(2) More than one type of drug can be found in a single incident, therefore the sum of the drug types found will be higher than the total incidents.</p><p>(3) A new incident type was introduced in October 2015 to improve reporting of finds incidents. This included the introduction of several new drug types so the classifications are not directly comparable prior to this period. Buprenorphine, Gabapentin, Methadone, Pregabalin, Psychoactive substances, Steroids and Tramadol were all added during 2015-16, Benzodiazepines were added during 2016-17, and Ketamine was added during 2021-22. As a consequence the contents of the ‘other’ line will be different throughout the series</p><p> </p><p>All prisons have a zero-tolerance approach to drugs. Our £100 million Security Investment Programme, aimed at reducing crime in prisons, including reducing the conveyance of illicit items such as drugs, was completed in March 2022. This investment delivered 75 additional X-ray body scanners resulting in full coverage across the closed adult male estate. Under this programme, all public sector sites have also been provided with next-generation drug trace detection machines. This technology enables prisons to detect attempts to convey drugs into prisons. The equipment is effective in identifying drugs that have been soaked onto letters, clothing and other items.</p> answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar grouped question UIN 24369 question first answered 13/05/2024 08:44:40 answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar
tabling member	193 label Biography information for Dame Siobhain McDonagh

1714166

registered interest
date	26/04/2024
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisons: Drugs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he has made of trends in the level of (a) drug use and (b) synthetic drug use in prisons.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	23903
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2024 answer text <p>The latest information on random mandatory drug testing in prisons can be found in the HMPPS Annual Digest here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hmpps-annual-digest-april-2022-to-march-2023" target="_blank">HMPPS Annual Digest, April 2022 to March 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a>.</p><p>All prisons have a zero-tolerance approach to drugs, and we are highly aware of the threat synthetic substances present. In response, His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) continue to develop capabilities to drug test prisoners who are suspected to have used, or are at risk of using, these dangerous substances. In addition, all prisons have been provided with access to forensic testing of items seized or found within the estate.</p><p>Our £100 million Security Investment Programme, aimed at reducing crime in prisons, including reducing the conveyance of illicit items such as drugs, was completed in March 2022. This investment delivered 75 additional X-ray body scanners resulting in full coverage across the closed adult male estate. Under this programme, all public sector sites have also been provided with next-generation drug trace detection machines. This technology enables prisons to detect attempts to convey drugs into prisons. The equipment is effective in identifying drugs that have been soaked onto letters, clothing and other items.</p> answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar question first answered 08/05/2024 14:04:58 answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1714167

registered interest
date	26/04/2024
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisons: Drugs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has piloted a harm reduction approach to drug use in prisons.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	23904
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2024 answer text <p>The Ministry of Justice works closely with NHS England and the Department for Health and Social Care to ensure that all prisoners who need it have access to high-quality substance misuse treatment.</p><p>This includes:</p><ul><li>increasing the number of Incentivised Substance-Free Living Units from 25 in summer 2022 to 80 now. Incentivised Substance-Free Living Units are prison wings providing a dedicated, supportive environment for prisoners who want to live drug-free in prison. They provide additional support to prisoners struggling with addiction to engage with treatment, using regular drug testing alongside incentives to ensure prisoners stay drug free;</li><li>recruiting up to 50 Drug Strategy Leads in key prisons which will ensure prisons are recovery focused, bringing together health and security-focused activity. This builds on the £100 million already invested from our Security Investment Programme which aims to reduce crime in prisons and the conveyance of illicit substances;</li><li>rolling out nasal naloxone to prison staff, which is the lifesaving medication to reverse an opiate overdose.</li></ul> answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar question first answered 08/05/2024 14:05:54 answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1712730

registered interest
date	22/04/2024
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisons: Drugs
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of inmates in prisons were drug tested at least once in (a) 2022 and (b) 2023.
tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
uin	22844
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/04/2024 answer text <p>The information requested could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>All prisons have a zero-tolerance approach to drugs. Our drug testing contract also enables us to deliver key commitments in the Cross-Government Drug Strategy such as: testing of offenders who receive a Drug Rehabilitation Requirement, the pilot of Intensive Supervision Courts and increased flexibility to test for a broader range of drugs. In addition, all prisons have been provided with access to forensic testing of items seized or found within the estate.</p><p> </p><p>Our £100 million Security Investment Programme completed in March 2022 and delivered 75 additional X-ray body scanners, supplying full coverage across the closed male estate. We have also installed 84 X-ray baggage scanners at 49 sites, drug detection machines and metal detection archways. Furthermore, we are taking steps to support individuals with substance misuse issues in prison. We have dramatically increased the number of incentivised substance-free living units (ISFLs), where prisoners commit to living drug-free with incentives and regular testing. 80 prisons now have an ISFL, up from 25 in summer 2022.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar question first answered 30/04/2024 09:52:55 answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar
tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes