Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 188
188
Deferred
Reliance on staff sightings underestimates serious threat of increasing drone incidents
Conclusion
We are alarmed by the rapid increase in drone incidents over the last three years, as confirmed by HMPPS’s own data. The current reliance on staff sightings to detect drones, as noted in the HMPPS Annual Digest, is insufficient and likely underestimates the true scale of the problem. The capability of drones to deliver not only large quantities of drugs and mobile phones, but also to deliver weapons, with the potential for the future delivery of firearms and explosives, is an extremely serious threat to the safety and security of prisons. (Conclusion, Paragraph 102)
Government Response Summary
The government response detailed the funding and rollout of Incentivised Substance-Free Living (ISFL) units and efforts to reduce drug demand, completely unrelated to the committee's concerns about increasing drone incidents in prisons.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
It is vital we address the underlying demand that drives drug use. Incentivised Substance-Free Living (ISFL) units are central to this approach, providing structured environments that support recovery and reduce harm. We have funded ISFLs in 85 prisons and recognise that following rapid expansion, there is further work we can do to ensure their quality and consistency. To address this, we have issued guidance for prisons on how to ensure ISFLs operate to a uniformly high level of care and support, whilst recognising that a degree of local flexibility is important to meet the different needs of the populations of different prisons and give discretion to Governors. In response to Dame Carol Black’s review, NHS England has already committed recurrent funding following a £7million investment into drug and alcohol treatment services in 2025/26, including dedicated psychosocial support in ISFLs. ISFLs will also be specifically included in the revised Substance Misuse Service Specification that will be published at the end of summer 2026. We recognise it is important to measure the success of ISFLs. Our recently published ISFL evaluation identifies their key principles for success, such as a strong community ethos and a clear purpose, with committed staff to help implement this. Findings from our randomised control trial indicate that prisoners on ISFL units are over 30% less likely to be involved in violence, self-harm, or disorder compared to those elsewhere in the prison. Evaluation findings have informed our guidance, and we are committed to updating this to ensure ISFLs continue to deliver their intended outcomes. Currently, our focus is on consolidating our existing rollout, rather than widening coverage, although we continue to offer support to any prison that wishes to establish a new ISFL in line with the principles for success. However, some prisons will not be suitable for the ISFL model. This could be due to a lack of stability in the prison’s population, which undermines the community ethos required for a successful ISFL, or because the unit could not adhere to other required criteria detailed in the guidance. In these circumstances, we will continue with wider work to strengthen the recovery ethos in every prison. 28