A parliamentary committee has issued a warning about the pervasive drug issue in prisons, stressing the need to dismantle the culture of tolerance surrounding it. The Justice Committee revealed that 39% of inmates have easy access to drugs, severely hampering the ability of HM Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) to maintain order and aid in offender rehabilitation.

In a recent report, the committee highlighted the alarming human toll caused by the drug crisis, noting that 16% of deaths investigated in a two-year period were linked to drug use. The report also uncovered that a significant number of prisoners, 11% of men and 19% of women, developed substance abuse problems upon entering prison, with a concerning shift towards the use of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) due to their accessibility and potency.

Urgent actions were recommended by the committee, urging the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and HMPPS to update drug testing protocols and review medication dispensing procedures in prisons to address loopholes. Additionally, concerns were raised about the rise in drone activity around prisons, facilitating the delivery of illicit substances and potentially dangerous items.

Chair of the Justice Committee, Labour MP Andy Slaughter, emphasized the gravity of the situation, describing the drug crisis within prisons as reaching “endemic” levels. Slaughter highlighted the detrimental impact of organized crime groups supplying drugs to prisons and the need for comprehensive reforms to tackle the root causes of drug demand.

The Justice Department has been contacted for further comments on the matter.