Question reference: S6W-25539
- Asked by: Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 14 February 2024
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Current status: Answered by Angela Constance on 27 February 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action (a) it and (b) the Scottish Prison Service is taking to protect prison staff from the effects of illicit drugs being used by prisoners.
Answer
I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:
The health and wellbeing of those who live and work in our prisons is a key priority for the Scottish Prison Service.
Investment in technologies such as Rapiscan machines, now available in every prison, and the recent purchase of 9 new Body Scanners, further enhance a comprehensive range of security measures already deployed by the SPS to detect illegal substances. We are also piloting Drone Detection technology to help detect and prevent the introduction of illicit articles and substances through this channel.
By working closely with partners such as Police Scotland, SPS must and does remain vigilant to the continuously evolving nature of drug use to ensure use of technology and tactical measures remain current, adaptable, and capable of detecting and preventing drugs from entering our prisons.
SPS will continue to work with partners to prevent the introduction of contraband and seek convictions where appropriate.
SPS also continue to advise staff on safety and risk assessment processes in conducting their duties, to minimise the impact and risk of exposure to any unknown hazardous substance.