LISTEN: Tories demand drugs crackdown in prisons as three inmates caught using every day
The number of prisoners caught using drugs in Scottish jails rose to a seven-year high last year.
The number of prisoners caught using drugs in Scottish jails rose to a seven-year high last year.
Official statistics show 1,133 inmates were disciplined for taking drugs in 2015/16, the equivalent of more than three a day.
That compares to 1,003 the previous year and 634 in 2012/13, but the total is below the 1,257 recorded in 2008/09.
The figures from the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) annual report were highlighted by the Scottish Conservatives, who called for a crackdown on the problem.
The party's justice spokesman Douglas Ross MSP spoke to our political correspondent Alan Smith:
Mr Ross added: Detecting and recording these incidents isn't enough - it's vital the SPS cracks down on this problem and makes sure these substances don't keep slipping through the net.
All political parties agree that rehabilitation of offenders is critical for society. But how can this be expected to take place while drug-taking remains so prevalent in prisons?''
An SPS spokeswoman said robust'' security measures are in place to prevent drugs entering jails and anyone found in possession of contraband is reported to the authorities.
She said: Seventy-three per cent of prisoners tested on reception had illegal drugs in their system upon entry against 27% on exit, demonstrating a reduction in prevalence of drug use of 46%. SPS welcomes this significant reduction.
Recovery is the explicit aim of all services providing treatment and rehabilitation for prisoners with drug problems. A range of substance misuse treatment and support services are provided, by adopting a multi-disciplinary approach.
Significant investment continues to be made in the development of new technology and staff training to detect, deter and reduce the availability and supply of illegal drugs.''