HM Prison Probation Service
Central Government
Action Taken
HMPPS is investing over £40 million in physical security enhancements across 34 prisons to deter drone use, has implemented Incentivised Substance Free Living Units in 85 prisons, and appointed 17 Group Drug and Alcohol Leads. They have also introduced the Adult Health, Care and Wellbeing Core Capabilities Framework and are redesigning Foundation Training for new prison officers to include mandatory modules on drug and alcohol misuse. (AI summary)
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Dear Ms Robertson
REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS: MR MATTHEW SINGH
Thank you for your Regulation 28 report of 5 November 2025 following the inquest into the death of Matthew Singh at HMP Berwyn on 23 November 2019. I am providing the response on behalf of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
I know that you will share a copy of this response with Mr Singh’s family, and I would first like to express my condolences for their loss. Every death in custody is a tragedy and the safety of those in our care is my absolute priority.
You raise concerns regarding the availability and use of psychoactive substances at HMP Berwyn. HMPPS and the prison acknowledge the seriousness of this issue and, as reflected in the evidence heard, is implementing targeted measures to reduce access to and use of illicit substances in prisons.
HMPPS is committed to deterring, detecting, and disrupting the use of illegal drones around prisons in England and Wales. Our approach is multi-faceted, combining physical security countermeasures, technological innovation, intelligence exploitation, strengthened legislation, and collaboration across Government and with international partners to address this global threat. Targeted measures include improvements to windows, specialist netting, and external grilles to prevent drones from delivering contraband. This financial year we are investing over £40 million in physical security enhancements across 34 prisons, including £10 million specifically for anti-drone measures.
We are also working closely with law enforcement partners supported by the National Crime Agency to tackle drone-related criminality, and all closed prisons and young offender institutions are protected by 400-metre Restricted Fly Zones, making unauthorised incursions a criminal offence. Additionally, vulnerability assessments are conducted across the estate to inform mitigation plans, and comprehensive guidance has been developed for staff, upskilling them to improve operational responses.
We continue to work in close partnership with health providers to identify individuals with substance misuse needs, facilitate access to treatment, and establish an environment that promotes recovery through structured incentives. To support this, Incentivised Substance Free Living Units have been implemented in 85 prisons, requiring prisoners to sign a behavioural compact and undergo regular drug testing, where they can benefit from enhanced opportunities beyond those available on standard wings. In addition, 54 Drug Strategy Leads are now embedded in key establishments, and in 2025 17 Group Drug and Alcohol Leads were appointed to provide strategic oversight and assurance across prison groups.
In May 2025, the Adult Health, Care and Wellbeing Core Capabilities Framework was introduced, strengthening staff guidance on substance misuse and recovery. Building on this, the Ministry of Justice, HMPPS, and NHS England and Wales are collaborating through the Enable Programme to accelerate specialist training on drugs, alcohol dependency, and trauma-informed care. Furthermore, a comprehensive redesign of Foundation Training for new prison officers is underway, ensuring mandatory modules on drug and alcohol misuse are embedded for all staff.
At a local level, the establishment continues to work on enhancing intelligence-driven strategies to disrupt supply chains, with particular emphasis on countering drone-enabled delivery methods, and to support prisoners in moving away from drug use by, for example, strengthening attendance at purposeful activities through rigorous daily monitoring to mitigate boredom-related behaviours that contribute to illicit drug use.
Thank you again for bringing your concerns to my attention. I trust that this response provides assurance that action is being taken to address this matter.
REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS: MR MATTHEW SINGH
Thank you for your Regulation 28 report of 5 November 2025 following the inquest into the death of Matthew Singh at HMP Berwyn on 23 November 2019. I am providing the response on behalf of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
I know that you will share a copy of this response with Mr Singh’s family, and I would first like to express my condolences for their loss. Every death in custody is a tragedy and the safety of those in our care is my absolute priority.
You raise concerns regarding the availability and use of psychoactive substances at HMP Berwyn. HMPPS and the prison acknowledge the seriousness of this issue and, as reflected in the evidence heard, is implementing targeted measures to reduce access to and use of illicit substances in prisons.
HMPPS is committed to deterring, detecting, and disrupting the use of illegal drones around prisons in England and Wales. Our approach is multi-faceted, combining physical security countermeasures, technological innovation, intelligence exploitation, strengthened legislation, and collaboration across Government and with international partners to address this global threat. Targeted measures include improvements to windows, specialist netting, and external grilles to prevent drones from delivering contraband. This financial year we are investing over £40 million in physical security enhancements across 34 prisons, including £10 million specifically for anti-drone measures.
We are also working closely with law enforcement partners supported by the National Crime Agency to tackle drone-related criminality, and all closed prisons and young offender institutions are protected by 400-metre Restricted Fly Zones, making unauthorised incursions a criminal offence. Additionally, vulnerability assessments are conducted across the estate to inform mitigation plans, and comprehensive guidance has been developed for staff, upskilling them to improve operational responses.
We continue to work in close partnership with health providers to identify individuals with substance misuse needs, facilitate access to treatment, and establish an environment that promotes recovery through structured incentives. To support this, Incentivised Substance Free Living Units have been implemented in 85 prisons, requiring prisoners to sign a behavioural compact and undergo regular drug testing, where they can benefit from enhanced opportunities beyond those available on standard wings. In addition, 54 Drug Strategy Leads are now embedded in key establishments, and in 2025 17 Group Drug and Alcohol Leads were appointed to provide strategic oversight and assurance across prison groups.
In May 2025, the Adult Health, Care and Wellbeing Core Capabilities Framework was introduced, strengthening staff guidance on substance misuse and recovery. Building on this, the Ministry of Justice, HMPPS, and NHS England and Wales are collaborating through the Enable Programme to accelerate specialist training on drugs, alcohol dependency, and trauma-informed care. Furthermore, a comprehensive redesign of Foundation Training for new prison officers is underway, ensuring mandatory modules on drug and alcohol misuse are embedded for all staff.
At a local level, the establishment continues to work on enhancing intelligence-driven strategies to disrupt supply chains, with particular emphasis on countering drone-enabled delivery methods, and to support prisoners in moving away from drug use by, for example, strengthening attendance at purposeful activities through rigorous daily monitoring to mitigate boredom-related behaviours that contribute to illicit drug use.
Thank you again for bringing your concerns to my attention. I trust that this response provides assurance that action is being taken to address this matter.