Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 176
176
Deferred
High prevalence of drugs, particularly NPS, poses an unacceptable threat to prison staff safety.
Conclusion
The high prevalence of drugs in prisons, particularly NPS, poses an unacceptable and direct threat to the safety and well-being of prison staff. The current reality of staff becoming “desensitised” to daily suffering is a sign of a failed system and a dangerous culture of acceptance that must be broken. Staff are not only exposed to violence and abuse, but are directly at risk of serious medical harm from inhaling second-hand drugs. The fact that four staff members at a single prison were taken ill from a prisoner vaping with NPS underscores the wider danger presented by these substances. The MoJ and HMPPS have a duty of care to protect their employees, but the prevalence of drugs in prison is risking their ability to uphold it. (Conclusion, Paragraph 66)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government's response focuses on rigorous recruitment processes for frontline staff, with planned enhancements to assessment methods by Q4 2025/26, rather than directly addressing the risks to staff from drug prevalence in prisons.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
Our staff are the cornerstone of our prisons, and we wish to extend our sincere appreciation to prison and healthcare colleagues, whose unwavering efforts to address the challenges caused by drugs are deeply valued. As the Committee rightly notes, further work is needed to ensure our prison workforce is equipped with the skills and knowledge required to support recovery and reduce drug-related harm. Our response outlines the work underway to strengthen our training offer and identify capability gaps. The Committee is also right to highlight the importance of staff safety within prisons. Our staff come to work to make a difference, not to risk their safety, and we accept the recommendation on how we respond to staff exposure to drugs.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗