An “alarming” haul of around 800 tablets and 300 grammes of heroin were found in Perth Prison in just 12 months.
Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FoI) request for the period April 1 2016 to March 31 2017, also reveal 76 grammes of cannabis were found during the period along with six grammes of amphetamine.
The statistics also show that there were 174 finds in “residential” areas of the prison – prisoners’ cells and the recreation area, with 26 discoveries the visiting area.
The figures state six stashes were detected using the prison’s specialist dog team, with 14 finds achieved through searching visitors.
The latest finds heap further pressure on Perth Prison after a series of drug-related incidents. Around £100,000 of illegal substances were seized during a crackdown on contraband last year and an audacious attempt to pass drugs and jail breaking tools was made with a drone found in a nearby garden.
Police were alerted to the discovery and found two packages of heroin, a package of compressed herbal cannabis, cables, superglue tubes, a screwdriver, an i-phone, four mobile phones and four sim cards.
Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said she found it “concerning” that “so much contraband” is making its way inside Perth Prison.
“Officials must think hard about new policies to prevent drugs from getting to inmates,” she said.
“To have nearly 800 pills and 300 grammes of heroin confiscated is alarming and unfortunately could represent the tip of the iceberg when it comes to narcotics abuse. Just last year, figures claimed that HMP Perth was amongst the country’s most violent prisons and the presence of class A drugs will not help prevent future violence.”
Ms Smith also alluded to criminals using modern technology such as drones to try to bring drugs into Perth Prison.
“Prisoners are finding new, imaginative, ways of smuggling drugs inside and it is important that Perth Prison is adequately resourced in order to meet this challenge,” she added.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Prison Service claimed a “comprehensive range of robust security measures” are in place to prevent the introduction of contraband into their prisons.
“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,” she said.
“SPS dogs provide a valuable contribution in detecting and disrupting the introduction of contraband to our establishments by supporting security processes. This is done through co-ordinated search operations or other initiatives, including cell and area searching, staff and visitor screening and perimeter patrols.
“Anyone found in possession of contraband is reported to the appropriate authorities.”
