Revealed: The number of drugs found in Dorset prisons
Figures are from Portland YOI, The Verne and Guys Marsh in the last year
Drugs were discovered in Portland YOI on more than 100 occasions last year, figures reveal.
Some prisoners across England and Wales have turned to using drugs because of chronic boredom and isolation, the prisons inspector found in a report on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Across England and Wales, the number of drug finds in prisons fell 6% to 20,300 in 2020-21 – a reduction Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service has linked to restrictions placed on prisons during the pandemic.
The Ministry of Justice Data shows what drugs and how many were found and seized during the last year in Dorset prisons.
Portland YOI
Ministry of Justice data reveals 152 searches uncovered drugs within HMP Portland YOI in the year to March – significantly down from 328 the previous year.
The most commonly-found drug – where the type was specified – was psychoactive substances, with 87 seizures made over the year.
At HMP Portland, officers discovered mobile phones on 64 occasions, alcohol 116 times and weapons on 32 occasions.
HMP The Verne
Ministry of Justice data reveals three searches uncovered drugs within HMP The Verne in the year to March – down from 17 the previous year.
However, there was an increase in discoveries of psychoactive substances – the most commonly-found drug type nationally – and cocaine.
At HMP The Verne, officers discovered alcohol once and weapons on three occasions.
Guys Marsh
Ministry of Justice data reveals 58 searches uncovered drugs within HMP Guys Marsh in the year to March – significantly down from 82 the previous year.
The most commonly-found drug – where the type was specified – was psychoactive substances, with 30 seizures made over the year.
At HMP Guys Marsh, officers discovered mobile phones on 59 occasions, alcohol 66 times and weapons on 25 occasions.
Tough restrictions on prisoners
In statement to Greatest Hits Radio Dorset the Ministry of Justice said:
“Our £100 million investment to bolster security through X-ray body scanners and extra searches continues to stop drugs getting into the hands of prisoners across England, including in the Dorset area.
“This is part of wider funding to make jails safer, while working closely with healthcare providers to ensure offenders have the support they need to live drug-free upon release.”
In March last year a five-tier restriction scale was imposed on prisons in a bid to protect inmates and staff from the spread of Covid-19.
They ranged from ongoing testing if there was no case in a prison, to a full lockdown if there was an active outbreak – which meant no time outside for prisoners and meals served only at cell doors.
In an annual report for 2020-21, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons for England and Wales said out of 70 prisoners interviewed across six prisons, most had spent the pandemic locked in their cells for more than 22 hours a day.
The report continued: "Some prisoners had turned to using drugs to manage their isolation and chronic boredom."
Frances Crook, chief executive of penal reform charity the Howard League, said drugs were a "scourge" in prisons.
She added: "They have a devastating impact on the lives of prisoners and their families, and we know that the number of confiscations recorded even before the pandemic did not tell the whole story about the true scale of the problem."
The charity wants the Government to focus less on the tightening prison security and more on building relationships and working with prisoners through training and exercise to combat the issue.