Measures to tackle the smuggling of drugs into Perth Prison are working, according to governor Fraser Munro.
Figures obtained by The Courier show that there has been a rise in the number of times visitors have been caught attempting to pass something to an inmate at the Edinburgh Road prison but both Mr Munro and Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, feel the prison authorities are clamping down on the problem.
The situation at Perth Prison was highlighted recently by Sheriff Lindsay Foulis at the city’s sheriff court.
He said: “For the significant period of time I have sat on this bench, the taking of drugs into prison has been a problem.
“A very strict line has been taken by the bench and the matter seemed to have fallen away. In recent months these matters seem to have arisen again.”
The statistics on smuggled items, obtained through a Freedom of Information inquiry, show that there were two incidents in 2011, none in 2012, two in 2013 and five this year so far.
Mr Munro revealed that the prison has invested in technology and also uses dogs to detect illegal substances being brought in.
He said: “We continue to take the misuse of substances seriously, acknowledging that this is an issue that concerns many communities across Scotland, our community being no different.
“We take a pragmatic and multi-agency approach to this issue.
“We have invested in drug detection technology and also have drug detection dogs on a full-time basis.”
He continued: “We also actively use intelligence to guide our actions. All of this makes capture and being reported to the police more likely for those who persist in this damaging behaviour.
“Along with our NHS partners, we provide education and support to prisoners who want to start their journey to recovery.
“Any person who attempts to pass illegal substances into this establishment is trying to undermine the positive work that we can actually do to help people with a substance issue to recover. I would, therefore, urge anyone who is thinking about doing this to stop and reflect on who it is they think they are actually helping.”
Ms Smith said: “It is welcome news that systems put in place to monitor and intercept those attempting to pass something to a prison inmate are working.
“Scottish Conservatives have called for tougher measures to tackle drug abuse in prisons. This would see all new inmates tested for drugs, and for prisoners to be subject to random drug tests throughout their time in prison.
“It is important that the Scottish Prison Service pursue these measures to help lower reoffending and create a safer prison environment.”