Murdo Fraser MSP has called on the Scottish Government to address the “appalling” drugs problem at Perth Prison after it was found there had been almost 1,700 inmates found under the influence of substances there in just three years.
Data obtained by the Scottish Conservatives through Freedom of Information has revealed that there has been a total of 1,655 prisoners in Perth found to be under the influence of drugs from April 2020, with this year’s figure already reaching 424.
Of the 1,655 inmates, 52 had to be taken to hospital for medical treatment after taking the drugs.
The details provided by the Scottish Prison Service also highlight just how bad the situation is at HMP Perth, with a variety of illicit drugs found, ranging from the ‘zombie’ drug SPICE to cocaine, ‘street Valium,’ methadone, codeine, etizolam, naproxen, mirtazapine, co-codamol and cannabis.
And it seems prisoners are willing to get their hands on any available drugs smuggled in with some taking prescribed medication, including medicine for epilepsy.
Commenting, Mr Fraser said: “The number of inmates at Perth Prison who were found to be under the influence of illegal drugs and substances is utterly appalling. These figures really concern me and raise questions as to what the Scottish Government is doing to address drug taking in our prisons.
“I have visited Perth Prison a number of times in the past and have seen for myself the strenuous efforts made by hard-working staff to address the problem, but it is clear that they need more support.
“Drug taking is rife in Perth Prison, but I know it is also a national problem. All manners of drugs had been taken here, including psychoactive substances that were found in paper contained in mail for inmates. This was an issue that was previously raised at the Scottish Parliament by my colleague, Russell Findlay MSP. Mr Findlay led a campaign to stop drugs – in particular benzodiazepine etizolam – from entering jails by being soaked into the paper to write letters, but it appears this practice is still going on in Perth Prison.”
Mr Fraser continued: “It is also very concerning that many of the inmates had to be taken to hospital to receive medical treatment after taking drugs. These finds of illegal drugs obviously puts more pressure on staff working at HMP Perth but the whole situation with Scottish prisons needs to be addressed by the Scottish Government, who have their minds on other matters at the moment.
“They need to wake up and address this appalling drug problem. Yet again they have taken their eye off the ball.”
The data provided by the Scottish Prison Service to the Scottish Conservatives through Freedom of Information covers the period from April 2020 up to April this year.
