Drug Tests In Jails Stepped Up After Heroin Use Report

Scottish prisons are reforming their drug-testing regime and stepping up security after a damning report on their own staff’s concerns about heroin use behind bars.

It shows staff think visiting regulations should be made tougher. Half of them thought testing for cannabis, which is detectable for a month after smoking it, is encouraging people to move on to heroin use which is harder to find in urine samples.

The research showed staff believe heroin is “probably the easiest” drug to smuggle into jail, and almost always comes in during visits from outsiders. Prisoners claimed to the Glasgow Caledonian University researchers that staff had seen drugs being used and did not stop it, believing drug-use to be necessary to avoid disruption.

Nearly half of drug addiction officers on prison staff said most prisoners with drug problems are not in contact with drug interventions. Two-thirds believe regulations during visits should be made stricter.

There was a Tory call last night for screens to stop drugs being passed from visitors to inmates, but a prison service source said this was not practical. Drugs are passed in babies’ nappies, under the table in people’s shoes and by being quickly swallowed, it was explained.

Since the prison service received the research two months ago it has begun to put in more resources and improve security, while it is understood there is a more pragmatic approach to cannabis testing to avoid the incentive for people to move on to heroin.

Young offenders could be offered paid apprenticeships as an alternative to prison, in a bid to find effective alternatives to short jail sentences.

The idea is reported to have backing from Cathy Jamieson, the justice minister.

Other parties are moving towards more support for such community-based sentences, after both the Liberal Democrats and the SNP last week backed calls to replace jail terms of less than six months.

The offenders would be able to train for a trade, making it more likely they can find employment, get away from chaotic lifestyles, and stay out of further trouble.

The plan is being put forward by the new Criminal Justice Authorities, which are gearing up to tackle reoffending problems from next year.

A spokeswoman for the executive said: “We’re interested in hearing any new proposals about how this can be taken forward as part of our wider effort to reduce reoffending.”