Scandal of failed prison drug tests

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Call for action after 2,000 positive results in two years

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

By Deborah McAleese

Prisoners in Northern Ireland jails have failed drug tests almost 2,000 times in just two years, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal today.

Shock new figures show that the number of positive tests for illegal substances on inmates at Maghaberry, Magilligan and Hydebank prisons has soared over the past five years.

The news has sparked urgent calls for additional resources to stamp out drug smuggling into the jails by visitors.

According to the statistics, which were released to North Down MP Lady Sylvia Hermon by Security Minister Paul Goggins, 15% (692) of drug tests carried out on prisoners last year were positive. In 2005, almost 25% (1,250) showed the presence of illegal substances.

In comparison, in 2002, 7% (216) of tests were returned as positive.

High-security Maghaberry Prison has had the largest percentage of positive drugs tests of all three establishments.

In each year over the past three years almost one in three tests at Maghaberry showed the presence of illegal drugs.

While the Young Offenders Centre and female jail at Hydebank has the least number of inmates it returned the highest number of positive drug tests for three out of five years.

In 2005 alone, 704 tests at Hydebank - 27% of 2,603 tests carried out - came back positive. However, last year that number dropped significantly to 134 - 8% of the total number of tests.

As the Northern Ireland Prison Service does not have a full programme of mandatory drug testing the figures are based on voluntary tests. Prisoners are encouraged to take drug tests in return for privileges.

"I am extremely concerned by these figures as they clearly demonstrate persistent abuse and misuse inside our prisons," said Lady Hermon.

She added: "Although the detected level of drugs abuse at Hydebank had significantly reduced between 2005 and 2006, the same certainly cannot be said of Maghaberry where around one in three tests proved positive during the same period.

"This cannot be tolerated. Additional resources for drugs searching of prison visitors must be provided urgently."

Minister Goggins said that the Prison Service is planning to change prison rules to enable mandatory drug testing.

A spokeswoman for the Northern Ireland Prison Service pointed out that the figures show the percentage of positive results has fallen from 2005 to 2006.

She added: "The Prison Service has a clear responsibility to target its resources to do what it can to prevent the misery and hardship experienced by prisoners and their families associated with drug and alcohol abuse and addiction. This is clearly stated in the NIPS policy on Drug and Substance Misuse published last summer."