Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 171
171
Deferred
Ensure mandatory specialised training for all HMPPS staff in substance misuse and trauma-informed care.
Recommendation
The Government must urgently accelerate and broaden the scope of training under the ‘Enable Programme’ to ensure all HMPPS staff, particularly prison officers, receive mandatory, specialised training in substance misuse, trauma-informed care and drug dependency. This training should be a core, non-negotiable component of both foundation training and continuous professional development for all staff who interact with prisoners, directly addressing the deficiency in knowledge and experience. (Recommendation, Paragraph 49)
Government Response Summary
The government's response focuses on robust security measures to prevent drugs entering prisons, including drug trace detection equipment and X-ray body scanners, and continuously reviewing substances for testing. It does not address the recommendation to accelerate and broaden staff training on substance misuse and trauma-informed care via the Enable Programme.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
We recognise the importance of robust security measures to prevent drugs entering prisons and tackling drug supply and use in custody remains a top priority for HMPPS. All public prisons are equipped with drug trace detection equipment funded by HMPPS to identify drugs on physical items. HMPPS maintains two contracts for planned and reactive maintenance of our trace detection equipment. These contracts include a requirement for suppliers to update drug libraries on an agreed frequency throughout the year. As noted in the response to recommendation 4, we recognise that the volume and pace of change of NPS in global drug markets poses a serious challenge. To combat this, we continually review which emergent substances should be added to our testing capabilities. We have successfully implemented X-ray body scanners across the entire closed adult male prison estate. These scanners have significantly strengthened our ability to detect contraband concealed internally. At present, there are no plans to extend deployment to open prisons, given their distinctive operational context and lower security risk profile, where internal concealment is less prevalent compared to closed prisons. We will continue to review this position and consider any future extension on a risk- assessed basis, subject to necessity and appropriate legal authorisation.