Prison drug policy enforcement

HMP Coldingley, a men's Category C resettlement and training prison, has largely recovered from pandemic restrictions, with prisoners now enjoying increased time out of cell and positive staff-prisoner relations. While refurbishment plans are underway and healthcare is well-regarded, significant concerns persist regarding the high volume of illicit items, the continued absence of in-cell sanitation in older wings, and the inadequacy of educational provision. The Board also highlights issues with prisoner property management, disproportionate use of force against Muslim prisoners, and a lack of control for the Governor over infrastructure projects and education contracts.

HMP The Mount faced a challenging year ending February 2023, marked by a severe drug crisis involving Fentanyl-laced Spice, resulting in nine deaths, five of which were drug-related. Persistent staffing shortages led to a restrictive regime, limiting prisoners' access to education, work, and purposeful activity. Key concerns included overcrowding from cell doubling, significant healthcare waiting times exacerbated by escort shortages, and a failure to deliver adequate resettlement and offending behaviour programmes, contributing to an increase in prisoner complaints.

HMP Wealstun, a Category C prison, has an operational capacity of 856 and a CNA of 809. The IMB reports improvements in reception processes and generally good collaboration between prison and healthcare teams. However, significant concerns persist regarding unacceptable time out of cell, pervasive part-time work, and critically low key worker session delivery. Overcrowding, the poor condition of older wings, and challenges in managing illicit items also remain key issues.

HMP Wymott faces significant challenges including a rise in violence and self-harm, severe staff shortages impacting safety and regime, and inhumane conditions on A and B wings where refurbishment is repeatedly delayed. Overcrowding forces prisoners to double up in unsuitable cells, while healthcare struggles with inadequate facilities and high agency staff reliance. The Board commends efforts in education and resettlement, and the positive feedback on the new J wing.

HMYOI Wetherby experienced a challenging reporting year ending August 2023, marked by periods of severe instability, high violent behaviour, and increasing contraband finds. While the Board commended improvements in the estate, healthcare provision, and some excellent resettlement initiatives, significant concerns persist regarding the unpredictable regime, insufficient time out of cell, and the inadequate conditions on B wing. Staffing issues, including high turnover and an imbalance in officer demographics, continue to impact regime delivery, alongside national policy impacts such as Operation Safeguard and the high number of young people on remand with limited support.

HMP Swaleside reported a year of significant progress in safety and a generally improved environment, despite the challenges of COVID-19. However, the Board highlighted persistent concerns including unacceptably high violence, poor performance of maintenance provider GFSL, and severely limited opportunities for purposeful activity and vocational training for residents. Issues with hygiene, contraband, and cancelled healthcare appointments also remain key areas for development.

HMP/YOI Rochester remains a Category C resettlement prison providing a safe and decent environment, with commendations for its Key Worker system and effective response to Covid-19. Despite challenges such as drug availability and deteriorating buildings, the prison offers a humane regime with good work activity engagement and mental healthcare. Key concerns include persistent staffing shortages, issues with prisoner property transfers, and a critical lack of suitable accommodation for prisoners upon release.

HMP Berwyn is a Category C resettlement and training prison with an operational capacity of 2,106. The Board reports a prison in continuous evolution, marked by improved leadership and several positive initiatives in healthcare and education. However, significant concerns persist, including the availability of illicit substances, unaddressed deficiencies in meeting room facilities, and challenges arising from the double-cell design. High rates of self-harm, assaults, and non-attendance at purposeful activities also highlight ongoing issues within the establishment.

HMP Coldingley, a Category C training prison, faced significant challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, impacting regime, education, and work. The Board commends staff for maintaining a humane regime, containing Covid-19 outbreaks, and facilitating out-of-cell time. Key concerns include illicit items leading to violence, the lack of in-cell sanitation in older wings, and the poor state of the estate. The report highlights progress in areas like new accommodation pods and education initiatives but calls for addressing long-standing issues such as IPP prisoners and resettlement challenges.

HMP Whitemoor operated under severe COVID-19 restrictions, leading to prisoners spending over 21 hours locked in cells daily, significantly impacting mental health and purposeful activity. Despite this, the prison maintained order and controlled infection effectively. Key challenges include increased substance misuse, persistently high segregation unit occupancy, and the urgent need for in-cell telephones and improved estate maintenance. The IMB commends the prison's efforts in managing the pandemic and establishing a rehabilitative culture, while highlighting critical areas for development.

The reporting period at HMP Parc (March 2020 – February 2021) was profoundly shaped by the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a highly restrictive regime with prisoners confined to cells for up to 23 hours daily and no physical IMB visits. Despite these challenging conditions, the Board praised staff's exceptional efforts in maintaining safety, preventing Covid-19 deaths, and achieving reductions in assaults and use of force incidents. Key concerns highlighted included the continued entry of illicit drugs, excessive waiting times for dental and specialist healthcare, and the withdrawal of secondary mental health services.

HMP Bullingdon faced chronic overcrowding and significant staff shortages, which impacted safety, regime delivery, and staff-prisoner relationships throughout the reporting year. While healthcare provision was generally good and improvements were seen in some areas like equality data analysis and IT systems, challenges such as high violence, drug availability, and prisoner churn hindering progression persisted. The Board highlighted a continuing high number of self-harm incidents, though a recent decline was noted.

HMP Leyhill, a Category D open prison, faces a complex transition with reduced capacity due to construction and a changing demographic towards a younger population. While safety, healthcare uptake, and education attendance are positive, significant concerns persist regarding resettlement delays for IPP prisoners due to a lack of approved premises and inefficiencies in external probation. Alarm systems, staffing levels, and the increasing presence of illicit items also require urgent attention, alongside challenges in food budgeting and healthcare screening for new arrivals.

HMP Five Wells, a Category C prison, opened in February 2022 and housed 1200 prisoners by March 2023, below its operational capacity of 1680. The IMB noted successes such as positive visitor feedback and streamlined safeguarding, but raised significant concerns including widespread illicit items, severe staffing shortages, and numerous design flaws in the new build. Key areas needing development involve consistent regime application, improved food and canteen services, and the re-establishment of resettlement-focused programmes like ROTL.

This report for HMP Parc covers a period dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to significant regime restrictions and staff shortages. Despite these challenges, the Board found that staff maintained a safe environment for prisoners, with reductions in some violent incidents. However, healthcare, mental health support, and purposeful activity were severely impacted by limited resources and external agency support, and concerns persisted regarding drug entry and food quality.

HMP Forest Bank, a Category B reception and resettlement prison, reported a 13% increase in self-harm but a 5% reduction in violence and 14% reduction in use of force. The Board raised concerns about illicit items, the use of segregation for mental health cases, and low out-of-cell time. Healthcare services saw a new provider and improved access via kiosks, while purposeful activity hours remained low. Six deaths in custody were reported during the period.

The Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Guys Marsh noted positive developments including sufficient organisational support for safety, the appointment of a neurodiversity support manager, and a seamless transition to a new healthcare provider. However, significant concerns remain regarding persistent drug and alcohol use driving violence, ineffective risk management plans, and unacceptably high prisoner-on-prisoner assaults. The Board also highlighted issues with accommodation standards, a long dental waiting list, and underutilised education and work provisions.

HMP/YOI Isis, a YOI and Category C training prison, experienced a marked increase in violence and self-harm during 2023, attributed partly to a younger demographic and increased prisoner mixing. Staffing shortages and a high number of 'ineffective' staff consistently impacted regime delivery, education, and healthcare access. The Board highlighted persistent concerns with property management, cell cleanliness, and the limited range of rehabilitation programmes.

HMP/YOI Hindley, a Category C training and resettlement prison for adult males and young adults, operated near its 600 operational capacity during the reporting period. The Board noted positive developments in leadership presence, communication, and some healthcare provision, which was rated good by HMIP. However, significant concerns persist, particularly regarding escalating violence, high self-harm rates (up 87%), and widespread drug availability. Persistent staff shortages lead to redeployment, impacting purposeful activity, key worker sessions, and overall regime delivery. The Board also highlights issues with outdated accommodation, delays in adjudications, and the need for improved support for complex mental health needs and disabled prisoners.

HMP Highpoint, a large Category C training and resettlement prison, reported around 1,300 prisoners during a year marked by significant increases in self-harm, violence, and assaults on staff. Key concerns included persistent issues with prisoner property management, inadequate maintenance services, and the ongoing challenge of contraband entry. Despite these, the report highlighted positive areas such as effective induction, a strong segregation unit, and robust neurodiversity support, alongside commendations for healthcare provision.

HMP Huntercombe, a Category C prison for foreign national men, largely maintained a full regime during 2023, with positive staff-prisoner relationships and a reduction in ACCTs. However, the Board remains significantly concerned about the influx of illicit items, persistent issues with heating, hot water, and cell window repairs, and an unsuitable healthcare building. Delays in transferring mentally unwell prisoners and ongoing property problems for those being deported are also highlighted, alongside staffing pressures in the Offender Management Unit.

HMP High Down, a Category C training and resettlement prison, experienced significant increases in assaults and illicit item finds during 2023, raising serious safety concerns. Staffing shortages in key work and the Offender Management Unit severely impacted regime delivery and prisoner progression. While improvements were noted in mental health transfer times and family contact, persistent issues with property loss, poor shower conditions, and limited purposeful activity for prisoners, particularly vulnerable ones, remained key challenges.

HMP Lowdham Grange was deemed not safe enough during the reporting period, with significant increases in violence, self-harm incidents, and drug availability. The operational transition and subsequent HMPPS 'step-in' contributed to an unstable and restrictive regime, compounded by staff shortages and insufficient oversight of use of force. Key concerns include inadequate healthcare provision, poor living conditions, and a lack of purposeful activity and effective resettlement support.

HMP The Mount has demonstrated significant progress over the last year, particularly in staffing, regime improvement, and the management of safety for vulnerable prisoners. However, profound systemic issues persist, notably the inhumane and unsupported detention of IPP prisoners, and chronic overcrowding due to cell doubling. The prison continues to struggle with pervasive drug availability and inadequate external support for resettlement, leading to high rates of homelessness upon release.

HMP Onley is a Category C training and resettlement prison that faced challenges during the reporting year ending February 2024. While staffing levels for officers improved, this did not translate into increased key work activity or a consistently full regime. Key concerns include increased illicit substance availability and drone activity, a rise in prisoner-on-prisoner violence, and persistent issues with property transfers and poor cell/yard conditions. Healthcare saw some improvements in GP/dental wait times, but mental health and drug rehabilitation were affected by staff shortages.

HMP Five Wells, a privately run Category C prison, increased its population to 1,700 by March 2024, leading to the doubling up of some cells. While the Board noted significant operational improvements under new leadership and generally good accommodation, it raised serious concerns about the prevalence of illicit substances, self-harm, and the management of use of force incidents. Challenges persist in staff recruitment, education provision, and the under-resourcing of the IMB itself.

HMP/YOI Stoke Heath saw positive developments in education and purposeful activity, leading to increased prisoner satisfaction and a significant drop in unemployment. The key worker scheme improved contact, and healthcare benefited from paramedics and a successful hepatitis C elimination. However, the Board noted a concerning rise in self-harm, assaults, well as issues with cramped living conditions, an aging estate, and limited mental health therapy. Persistent problems with property transfers and an under-resourced offender management unit also remained key concerns.

HMP Bedford, a Category B YOI, continues to face significant challenges including persistent overcrowding and an inconsistent induction process, despite some improvements in wing cleanliness and key worker implementation. The report highlights serious concerns regarding healthcare, characterized by poor communication and a decline in drug rehabilitation services. Security remains an issue with illicit items readily entering the prison, and high levels of assaults on staff, although recent improvements are noted. The Board also raises concerns about the unaddressed needs of its large remand population, the lack of digital infrastructure, and disproportionate adjudications.

HMP Kirkham faced unprecedented challenges in 2023, primarily due to the Temporary Presumptive Recategorisation Scheme (TPRS) which led to a significant influx of prisoners and placed immense pressure on staff, resources, and the prison's resettlement-focused regime. While the Board noted staff's resilience and improvements in some areas like healthcare waiting times and new facilities, key concerns included increased assaults, persistent illicit substance issues, and significant disruption to purposeful activities and resettlement services. Staffing shortages exacerbated these problems, leading to curtailment of activities and impacting crucial offender management processes.

HMP Aylesbury, a Category C prison, completed its transformation from a YOI this year, adapting to an older population with improved but still sub-standard regime delivery. Significant efforts were made to enhance safety, reduce gang violence, and manage illicit items, though their incursion remains a serious problem. While staffing levels improved, staff inexperience and a lack of purposeful activity remain key challenges impacting prisoner wellbeing, progression, and resettlement, as evidenced by long waiting times for healthcare and inadequate release preparation.

HMP Wormwood Scrubs faced significant challenges during the reporting year, including an increased population running near operational capacity and a sustained upward trend in violence and self-harm incidents towards the end of the period. While some progress was made in healthcare and education, these gains were frequently undermined by critical staffing shortages leading to cancelled activities and appointments. Outdated infrastructure and the ongoing availability of illicit substances remained persistent issues, severely impacting safety, conditions, and the humane treatment of prisoners.

HMP Maidstone generally operates as a safe and humane Category C foreign national prison, with improvements noted in reception processes, ACCT care, and analysis of violent incidents. The Board commended staff care in healthcare and overall good relationships, but raised significant concerns regarding the prevalence of illicit substances, the limited purposeful activity and lack of ROTL, and delays in mental health transfers due to national bed shortages. Improvements are needed in staffing for UoF oversight, translation services, and collaboration with immigration authorities.

The IMB's latest survey at HMP Wayland shows a generally positive shift across many areas, including improved induction experiences, property handling, and healthcare complaint responses. However, significant challenges persist, particularly concerning staff's ability to provide effective support for personal issues and loneliness, which has worsened. Concerns also remain regarding cell decency, the pervasive availability of drugs, inadequate resettlement preparation, and the perceived unfairness of the complaints system, indicating much work is still needed.

HMP Lowdham Grange has seen some safety improvements since HMPPS took over, but faces critical challenges including six deaths in custody, widespread drug availability with high positive test rates, and a significant increase in use of force. Healthcare provision remains a major concern due to chronic staffing shortages, lack of night cover, and long mental health transfer delays. Persistent under-resourcing in probation and psychology departments impacts prisoner progression and resettlement, while the regime continues to be hampered by staffing issues and reduced social visits.

HMP/YOI Hindley, a Category C prison, operated at or near its 600 operational capacity throughout 2024, housing adult and young adult males. The Board noted some positives like improved healthcare provision and staff-prisoner relationships, particularly in wellbeing areas. However, significant concerns remain, primarily regarding rising violence, high drug availability, and self-harm incidents. Unacceptable staff absence led to extended lockdowns and a severe lack of purposeful activity, while the physical estate continues to be unfit for purpose with no plans for refurbishment.

HMP Lindholme, a Category C male training prison, faced significant challenges in the reporting year ending January 2025, largely due to a substantial ingress of illicit drugs, which led to increased violence and self-harm incidents. The prison's population of 946 was held in an establishment designed for 924, including 160 doubled-up cells. Key concerns include prisoner safety, the misuse of segregation as a sanctuary, and inadequate education and work provisions, impacting preparation for release.

HMP Garth, a Category B training prison, experienced a challenging year ending November 2024, marked by a 45% increase in violence and significant staffing shortages. These issues led to frequent regime changes, excessive prisoner time in cells, and difficulties in delivering purposeful activity. Key concerns include easy access to illicit drugs, the prolonged detention of mentally unwell prisoners in segregation, and the ongoing injustice faced by IPP prisoners, all compounded by critical issues in staff recruitment and retention and the deteriorating prison estate.

HMP/YOI Thorn Cross maintains a safe and rehabilitative environment with positive staff-prisoner relationships and strong support for education and community employment. Despite these strengths, significant concerns include an inadequate kitchen, persistent issues with illicit items, and challenges in mental health engagement. Delays in infrastructure projects and restricted gym access during non-working hours also require urgent attention.

HMP Onley, a Category C prison, experienced a challenging year with significant increases in violence and self-harm incidents. Key concerns include high levels of illicit substances, poor living conditions, and unacceptable waiting times for healthcare. Despite some positive developments in key worker delivery and resettlement initiatives, staffing shortages and backlogs in offender management continue to hinder progression.

HMP Erlestoke is a Category C training and resettlement prison with an operational capacity of 512. The Board observed improvements in healthcare attendance and use of force scrutiny, alongside a decrease in staff turnover. However, significant concerns remain regarding the deteriorating healthcare building, the pervasive availability of illicit substances, and the inadequate provision for vulnerable prisoners, including the elderly and those requiring essential medication on transfer.

HMP The Mount's IMB report highlights a period of little significant change, despite staff's efforts to manage challenges like drugs and overcrowding. While staff-prisoner interactions and healthcare provision showed improvements, key concerns persist regarding the inadequate support for IPP prisoners, severe overcrowding impacting living conditions, and limited purposeful activity opportunities. The Board also noted issues with property management and the unsuitability of the reception area.

HMP/YOI Parc, a Category B/C resettlement prison, faced significant challenges including 19 deaths in custody, with a notable cluster of drug-related fatalities, and high levels of self-harm and violence, though a downtrend was observed towards the end of the reporting period. Persistent concerns included poor food quality and quantity, insufficient keyworkers, and ongoing issues with property transfers. Healthcare provision was strained by excessive waiting times for GP and mental health services, and staff shortages, though some improvements were noted in healthcare access and anti-drug measures.

HMP/YOI Styal, a local women's prison, grapples with a complex population, leading to concerns about high self-harm rates and an increased number of deaths in custody. The Board highlights persistent issues with estate maintenance, fire safety, and a lack of consistent staff supervision on houses, which impacts prisoner safety and regime delivery. Despite improvements in healthcare and education attendance, significant delays in mental health transfers and pressure on resettlement accommodation remain critical challenges.

HMP Wealstun has experienced a substantial increase in prisoner receptions and churn, impacting stability, staff workload, and resettlement efforts. Key concerns include rising violence, persistent drug availability, and poor conditions in older wings, alongside insufficient time out of cell and challenges faced by IPP prisoners. The Board notes good healthcare provision and well-managed segregation, but highlights staff retention issues, inconsistent regime application, and delays in drug test results.

HMP Coldingley, a Category C resettlement and training prison, faced significant challenges this year due to accelerated prisoner churn, impacting safety, healthcare, and purposeful activity. While improved staffing led to better regime and communication, issues like widespread drug availability, delayed cell refurbishment, and slow mental health transfers remain key concerns. The Board noted positive efforts in staff-prisoner relationships and education but highlighted the need for systemic improvements in property handling and monitoring of progress.

HMP Pentonville, a category B local prison, faced significant challenges including severe overcrowding, crumbling infrastructure, and a rise in drug use. While some improvements were noted in safety management, the Board raised serious concerns about inhumane living conditions, inadequate key work provision, and delays in support for vulnerable prisoners. The report highlights the impact of capacity pressures on regime delivery and resettlement efforts, stressing the need for urgent investment in the prison's fabric and resources.

HMP Swaleside has faced significant challenges, including a major influx of inexperienced staff leading to operational and relationship issues, and a pervasive problem with gang culture, illicit drug use, and high violence levels. Despite some positive developments in healthcare and equality initiatives, major concerns persist regarding prisoner mental health, an inadequate regime, overcrowding, and the effectiveness of security measures against contraband. The Board highlights the urgent need to address staff experience, regime provision, mental health support, and the management of illicit items and violence.

HMP Wormwood Scrubs continues to face significant challenges despite some positive developments in safety and healthcare. While incidents of violence and self-harm remain lower than comparator prisons, illicit drug use and inconsistent staff practices, particularly regarding body-worn cameras, are persistent concerns. The antiquated infrastructure, overcrowding, and an inconsistent regime that leaves many prisoners locked in cells for extended periods severely impact humane treatment and purposeful activity. Staffing issues contribute to the poor delivery of the key worker scheme and a rise in complaints about staff conduct, alongside noted disproportionalities in disciplinary measures against certain demographic groups.

HMP Brixton operated as an overcrowded Category C resettlement prison during the reporting year, with a population of 697 against a CNA of 530. The year was marked by preparations for a delayed re-role to Category B, which disrupted rehabilitation efforts. Positive developments included a reduction in self-harm, improved induction processes, and good staff-prisoner relations, alongside high-quality food provision. However, significant concerns persisted regarding drug availability, property loss, unlawful detentions, and the impact of the re-role on resettlement and purposeful activity.

The Independent Monitoring Board reports on HMP The Mount for 2019-2020, highlighting significant challenges stemming from chronic under-funding, which affects staffing, infrastructure, and rehabilitative opportunities. Despite these issues, the Board notes improvements in decency, security, and healthcare provision, commending staff efforts. Key concerns include the pervasive drug problem, insufficient Category D and IPP progression places, and the failure to embed new initiatives like the key worker scheme.

The prison is not preventing illegal drugs from entering the establishment. This is having a negative impact on stability and the safety of prisoners (4.3, 4.6).

The ingress of illicit drugs into Portland needs to be addressed. It is having an impact on the health and well-being of prisoners and staff, and is linked to debt, bullying, violence, isolation and overall stability in the prison.

The Board is concerned that drugs have continued to enter the prison throughout the reporting year. This is having a negative impact on the safety of prisoners (4.6).

The open estate has not been allocated body scanners. Given the relatively large number of IRs/finds compared with neighbouring Grendon (see 4.5.3), where a scanner has been used, this would seem to be an opportunity to improve the detection of illicit items.

Continue to increase efforts to curb the import of drugs and illicit items into Lowdham Grange.

What further action can be taken to prevent illicit drugs/items getting into the estate?

How are illicit drugs getting into the estate?

What additional long term strategies can be put in place to substantially reduce access to illicit substances?

The level of availability of illegal substances in the prison has remained high. Are there further measures which the Prison Service could take to reduce this level of availability?

All positive drug test results are forwarded by security to the substance misuse treatment team so that support can be provided. Could a similar centralised approach be adopted so that the inclusion team is notified when a prisoner is under the influence or alcohol is found in their cell?

Whilst the increase in remand and recall prisoners has led to a rise in illicit items coming into Foston Hall, what increased measures to disrupt the supply and trading of illicit items will be taken by the prison?

What steps will be taken to reduce the ingress and availability of illicit substances?

Is the Governor concerned about the level of use of illicit substances on the ISFL wing? Does he consider the wing suitable for providing the specialised support for which it was designed? If not, what are his plans?

What further actions are being considered to reduce the ingress of illicit substances? While the Board recognises enhanced security measures which have been put in place, drugs remain readily available throughout the prison.

The Governor should outline how the widespread availability of drugs and other illicit substances around the site is going to be curtailed and eliminated.

Tackling drug supply and demand needs to be central to much of the prison’s daily work.

The efforts to prevent the ingress of weapons, phones and drugs are well appreciated and must continue unabated in order to improve this problem. The continued ingress of mobile phones is particularly worrying as a major route through visits has been cut off during the COVID-19 lock-down (see section 4).

The Board retains the view that to enable a better outcome for prisoners and reduce re-offending, increased funding for resources should be allocated across the entire prison estate for tackling drug-use by prisoners. This includes improvements in security technology and intervention programmes.

The Board remains concerned at the level of illicit substance availability and use, and its consequences for prisoners’ safety (see paragraph 4.5), but is encouraged that further security measures have been put in place to mitigate this.

The Board feels that providing meaningful employment and tackling the large amount of drugs available in the establishment are the priorities that need to be improved in the short term.

Is the Prison Service analysing the repercussions of the replacement of tobacco by vapes, and what are the conclusions?

The Board would also like to know when further resources will be put into improving safety for prisoners at the establishment, in particular to reduce the ingress and misuse of drugs.

The Board hopes the provision of a dedicated wing for those prisoners wanting to engage fully with drug recovery programmes can go ahead in the near future.

There continues to be a serious level of substance misuse at HMP Dartmoor. What additional measures are planned to address this, particularly in the absence of capital investments such as portals and itemisers?

Will HMPPS please give urgent attention to supporting prison governors in the battle to stop the importing and manufacture of illicit substances including hooch within the prison? These substances endanger the health and wellbeing of prisoners and the safety of officers and their wide-spread use should be a cause of national concern.

The Board notes the increase in the number of packages containing illegal substances being thrown over the perimeter wall into the prison. What measures have been implemented to reduce the risk of prisoners accessing packages whilst on exercise?

There continues to be a problem with the availability and use of drugs. This is despite the strenuous efforts which were made in the reporting year on the part of the prison, including the greater use of sniffer dogs, the screening and copying of incoming mail, the installation of a body scanner for prisoners in reception, and the installation of …

What measures can be taken to further reduce the supply of intoxicating substances, especially hooch, to prisoners?

Ensure that the focus on drug testing (random, suspicion, and reception) is maintained and takes place to the required levels (see also section 4.5.1).

We have commented on the high proportion of positive mandatory drug testing (MDT) outcomes. What measures can be put in place to address this?

What steps are being taken to control drugs entering the prison?

When will there be a return to full mandatory drug testing (MDT)?

Is there a need for reconsideration of drugs search policy and equipment in the women’s estate?

Will the Governor continue to push for improvements to the security systems to help prevent the influx of illicit items through the gate and/or via drones, etc? What additional steps is the Governor taking to reduce the importation of illicit items, including drugs and mobile phones?

What measures will be put in place to ensure that all incidents of prisoners being found under the influence of either drugs or alcohol are recorded effectively and the relevant departments are informed as soon as an incident is discovered?

In order to keep prisoners safe and the wings more orderly, what plans does the Governor have to deal with the alarmingly high increase in the use and manufacture of illegally brewed alcohol and psychoactive substances?

After a welcome and sustained downward trend in many safety indicators, the Board has noted an increase is serious assaults, the number of prisoners self-isolating and above average levels of self-harm. Given the belief that the main underlying cause is the availability of drugs, what further measures can be taken to intercept them? Are there further technological solutions which would …

There continues to be a problem with the availability and use of illegal substances in the prison. What further steps can the Governor take to address this problem?

The Board recognises the work that the prison is doing to tackle the influx of drugs into the prison (see section 4.5), however what more can be done to mitigate against this?

What plans are in place to address and reduce the availability of illicit substances in the prison?

There continues to be a problem with the availability and use of illegal items in the prison. What further steps can the Governor take to address these problems?

The level of illegal substances in the prison has remained high. What measures will the Prison Service take to tackle this situation?

When will mandatory drug testing (MDT) be implemented on a routine and ongoing basis within the establishment? Will this be sufficient to fully understand the prevalence of drug taking within the population?

How will the Minister support the Prison Service to reduce the prevalence of drugs and other illegal items across the estate?

The Board asks for new measures to reduce the availability of illicit drugs and alcohol across the prison.

The Board continues to be very concerned about the level of the use of illicit substances throughout the prison and the apparent ease with which items enter. The Board acknowledge the work carried out by staff to attempt to minimise this, including the particularly difficult challenge of drone deliveries, but remain concerned about the lack of security checks at the …

Without a body scanner at reception, staff are hampered from detecting drugs concealed by prisoners on arrival. When will this equipment be provided, which will go towards creating a safer environment for prisoners?

Illicit items continue to be an operational and safety challenge. What investment and support will the operator be provided with to prevent illicit items entering the prison?

It does not appear difficult for drugs and other illicit items to get into the prison: on average, there is at least one find every day.

Continue to disrupt the supply of illicit items by all means available.