Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 162
162
Deferred
Increase Mandatory Drug Testing rates across prisons to at least pre-pandemic levels.
Conclusion
The MoJ and HMPPS must increase MDT rates to at least pre-pandemic levels. An immediate and mandatory intervention from regional or national HMPPS command, including the deployment of specialist teams to ensure testing is reinstated immediately, should be triggered. (Recommendation, Paragraph 22)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government discusses existing policies for suspended punishments and rehabilitative activities following a positive test, and states it will promote further use of these options. However, it does not address the recommendation to increase Mandatory Drug Testing rates to pre-pandemic levels or mandate interventions.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
We recognise the value of drug testing in achieving a range of outcomes, including supporting our understanding of the level and types of drug use in prisons, identifying individuals who may benefit from treatment referrals, managing risk, motivating recovery and informing disciplinary action where necessary. We have a wide range of testing modalities in prison which aim to achieve this, including reception testing which identifies drug needs at entry; suspicion-based testing which targets those suspected of illicit use for referral and risk management; risk assessment testing which supports decisions for prisoners considered for responsible roles or temporary release; and the frequent testing programme which monitors individuals with known drug issues. We also employ ‘compact-based’ drug testing on Incentivised Substance Free Living units and Drug Recovery Wings, with those who sign up to live on these committing to regular tests, to incentivise them to remain drug free and sustain motivation in recovery. It is therefore important that we maximise the value of our drug testing regime, within available resources, rather than relying solely on one form of mandatory testing. Currently, prisons strive to meet targets for random mandatory drug testing (rMDT), but capacity pressures have made this challenging in recent years. Any changes made will need to strike the right balance, ensuring Governors have discretion to tackle the specific demands of their prisons, and that our range of testing modalities address the diverse challenges drugs pose across the prison estate. We commit to reviewing our drug testing regime, as a whole, to ensure it supports the best outcomes in understanding levels and types of drug use and supporting individuals through treatment and recovery pathways. In the longer term, MoJ will also continue to explore the feasibility of emerging detection technologies which, through further research and development, could supplement MDT data. We are exploring technology at differing levels of sophistication and readiness, ranging from portable handheld devices to whole-prison level surveillance.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗