The government faces sharp criticism over its response to the prison drugs crisis. MPs describe the situation in England and Wales as “endemic”. Ministers accepted only eight of 29 recommendations.

Andy Slaughter chairs the Justice Select Committee (JSC). He expressed disappointment at the government’s response. He stated it was “not enough” to address the escalating prison drugs problem.

Scale of the Prison Drugs Crisis

The JSC put forward 29 recommendations to combat drugs in prisons. Ministers fully accepted eight. They partially accepted 19. They rejected two outright.

The government acknowledges a “dangerous culture of acceptance” surrounding the prison drugs crisis. The scale of the problem is stark. According to the JSC report, 39 per cent of prisoners find it easy to acquire drugs behind bars.

New Addictions Developing Behind Bars

The trend of prisoners developing substance abuse problems raises serious concerns. The report reveals 11 per cent of men and 19 per cent of women in prison developed issues with drugs after arriving. Inmates get exposed to what the JSC described as a “menu of drugs” previously unavailable.

Ministers published their response on 9 January. They stated: “We recognise that drug use in prisons is too high.”

Government Plans to Tackle Prison Drugs

Ministers pointed to action through the Sentencing Bill. The government committed £40 million this financial year in physical security across 34 prisons. This includes £10 million on anti-drone measures to prevent drugs in prisons.

Officials will review the drug testing regime. They are exploring emerging detection technologies. X-ray body scanners now operate across all closed adult male prisons. Staff recorded more than 53,000 positive indications as of March 2024.

Why Two Key Recommendations Were Rejected

Two rejected recommendations have raised eyebrows. One called for mandatory timeframes for critical estate repairs. These included fixing broken CCTV systems within 72 hours.

The other sought enhanced management protocols for Organised Crime Group (OCG) operators. The government rejected this recommendation. Officials stated it “would not be allowed under current legislation”. They commissioned research into more effective management of prisoners linked to serious organised crime.

Training Staff on Prison Drugs Issues

The government accepted calls to expand training on substance misuse for prison officers. New foundation training will include mandatory specialised components on drugs and alcohol. This forms part of a comprehensive 12-month programme.

Treatment provision features prominently in tackling the prison drugs crisis. NHS England increased its Substance Misuse Service budget by £7 million from 2025/26. The funding targets four priority areas. These include increased availability of long-acting buprenorphine.

Activities to Reduce the Prison Drugs Crisis

The government accepted recommendations to improve “purposeful activity” in prisons. This includes education, vocational training and work programmes. Officials recognise these play an important role in preventing the prison drugs crisis from worsening.

The committee will receive an update on progress by April 2026.

Mr Slaughter remained unconvinced. He said: “The Committee’s report laid bare a prison drugs crisis at ‘endemic’ levels.”

He added: “When HM Prison and Probation Service’s ability to maintain safety is undermined by drugs, a selective response is not enough.”

Technology to Combat Drugs in Prisons

The committee called for accelerated deployment of wastewater-based surveillance. This would identify new substances across the prison estate. The government only partially accepted this. Officials cited the emerging nature of the technology.

Regarding naloxone kits (medication that reverses opioid overdoses), officials declined to mandate universal distribution. They stated this would not be “clinically appropriate”. Naloxone is now available for emergency use by prison staff in over 96 per cent of prisons.

Future Action on the Prison Drugs Crisis

The government emphasises its commitment to creating “a safer, recovery-focused system”. Officials say they will improve support for prisoners in treatment. They will equip staff with necessary skills.

Mr Slaughter stressed that comprehensive reform is essential. Without tackling supply networks and treatment provision discrepancies, he warned that “prisons will remain unstable and incapable of gaining control over the drugs crisis.”

Whether the government’s response proves sufficient to address the prison drugs crisis remains unclear. The committee maintains that more immediate action is required. Breaking the dangerous culture of acceptance behind bars demands comprehensive measures, not selective responses.

Source: dbrecoveryresources