NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Use 1 December 2009 DRUG FINDS IN PERTH PRISON As of 23rd November 2009, there have been 127 drug finds in Perth Prison during 2009. The number of drug finds in Perth Prison have been decreasing in recent years: with 231 drug finds in 2005, 190 drug finds in 2006, 147 drug finds in 2007 and 145 drug finds in 2008. Although Mid-Scotland & Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has welcomed the slight drop in the number of drug finds in Perth Prison, he still believes one incident of drugs being found in prison is one too many and has called for tighter controls to stop drugs getting to Perth Prison inmates. Commenting, Murdo Fraser said: “Although there has been a steady decline in the number of drug finds in Perth Prison, every year there are still a hundred-plus drug finds which is unacceptable. I want to see tighter controls put in place at Perth Prison and all prisons across Scotland to reduce the number of drugs being brought into our prisons. “I know that the Governor and all the staff at Perth Prison are working hard to tackle this issue. The SNP Government must do more to help our prison service to sort out this problem and action needs to be taken. “We should be helping prisoners get off drugs, rather than providing an environment for drugs to flourish. We must work harder to help addicts recover and send them on the path to abstinence. Surely prison should be an ideal place to start that process, with treatment continuing after release. “That is why we must have drug free wings in every institution where prisoners who want to come off drugs can be removed from the availability and the temptation of drugs. If they stay clean they should be given privileges. If they test positive, then they are removed from the drugs free wing and the privileges are withdrawn. “Robust measures must also be applied to anyone supplying drugs to prisoners. Visiting privileges should be withdrawn and in persistent cases criminal charges brought. We would also consider prison visits taking place behind glass screens to ensure that there is no contact between prisoners and their visitors and therefore deny them the opportunity of passing over drugs. “The benefits to society will be great if we find the political will to take this task on. Lower re-offending, less crime and a safer prison environment. It will be good for addicts, good for their families and good for society as a whole because so much crime in Scotland is fuelled by drugs.” ENDS   back to top of page