Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 161
161
Deferred
Restore consistent, high-volume Mandatory Drug Testing across the entire prison estate.
Conclusion
Mandatory Drug Testing rates do not reliably measure drug prevalence. The MoJ’s own admission that resource constraints limit its capacity for MDT testing and therefore its ability to produce robust, publishable data demonstrates the failure of the current approach. The suspension of regular testing makes it extremely difficult to accurately assess the current scale of drug use or measure any improvement. A return to consistent, high- volume testing across the prison estate is essential to restore accountability and gather the data needed to understand the true extent of drug use. (Conclusion, Paragraph 21)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges prison wastewater testing could offer insight but is not yet in a position to commit to its wider rollout due to it being an emerging area of expertise. It is leading a structured research and development programme to understand insights from prison wastewater analysis.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
We recognise that prison wastewater testing could offer insight into the overall health of a prison population, including potential to monitor drug consumption. We are not yet in a position to commit to wider or faster rollout, as wastewater monitoring at ‘near-source’ settings (such as prisons) remains an emerging area of expertise. Further work is required to understand how quantitative drug detection data can be translated into a realistic picture of drug taking in prisons, and to reduce the time-lag between sampling and results. MoJ is leading a structured research and development programme to understand the insights we could gain from prison wastewater analysis, and how it could build a clearer picture of drug consumption in prisons, complement other drug intelligence, and inform operational decisions. Our R&D efforts build on academic advancements, ensuring findings can support frontline decision-making, and working with suppliers to understand their capability and capacity to deliver large-scale wastewater programmes. Any emergent wastewater testing capability will be rigorously tested on the frontline to ensure it adds value to prison operations and provides value for money.