Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 160
160
Acknowledged
Widespread illicit substance availability normalises drug use and addiction within prisons.
Conclusion
The widespread and increasing availability of illicit substances has fostered a culture of acceptance that normalises drug use in prisons. This makes the presence of drugs inescapable for many prisoners. The situation is made worse by two key factors: the high number of people entering prison with an existing addiction, and the worrying trend of prisoners who had no prior issues developing a drug habit while in prison. (Conclusion, Paragraph 15)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government recognises the value of drug testing and commits to reviewing its drug testing regime to better understand drug use and support treatment and recovery pathways. It will also continue to explore the feasibility of emerging detection technologies for long-term use.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
The Government is grateful to the Justice Select Committee for its report on ‘Tackling the Drugs Crisis in our Prisons’ and appreciates all contributions to this inquiry. We recognise that drug use in prisons is too high and share the Committee’s concern about the risks this poses, both to safety and to our efforts to reduce reoffending. As acknowledged in our written and oral evidence to the Committee, the Government inherited a significant prison capacity crisis, which has adversely affected many aspects of prison life, and impacted the effectiveness of measures to tackle drugs.
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