Pubdate: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 Source: Herald, The (UK) Copyright: 2005 The Herald Contact: http://www.theherald.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/189 Author: Alison Chiesa Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration) HALF OF ALL INMATES USED DRUGS IN JAIL HALF of Scotland's inmates have used drugs in prison, while three-quarters of them reported a decrease in substance abuse during incarceration, according to a survey. The figures are among the key findings of the Scottish Prison Service's (SPS) annual prison survey, published yesterday. While it was found that 50% of prisoners surveyed had used drugs in jail, at some point in the past, 81% reported their drug use had changed during their current incarceration. Of the inmates surveyed, 76% reported a decrease in drug use in jail, while 17% reported an increase in substance abuse. Less than a tenth (7%) indicated a similar level of drug use, but with different drugs. Of those who reported substance abuse, drugs included heroin (53%), cannabis (82%) benzodiazepams (58%) and cocaine (55%). The survey also found that inmates rated their conditions the same or better in 36 out of 44 areas, compared with last year. The vast majority (85%) expressed no fears for their safety in prison in the last month. Of the 15% who said they were afraid, 48% said another prisoner had made them so, while 44% said they were afraid of a group of prisoners. A quarter (27%) feared for their safety because of a prison officer, 13% from a group of prison officers and 5% from a non-uniformed staff member. In general, however, 96% of inmates reported relationships in the prison to be positive. About 93% of prisoners also rated relationships with staff positively. Eight out of 10 prisoners (77%) completed the survey in all of Scotland's 15 prisons, which house more than 6000 inmates at any one time. Tony Cameron, chief executive of the SPS, said the snapshot of prison life across Scotland would help officials deliver a better service. He said: "I take a great deal of satisfaction from the results of this year's survey. "Clearly, there are areas where we could improve further, but in almost all spheres of prison life the direction of change is for the better." David Liddell, director of Scottish Drugs Forum, the national drugs policy and information charity, said: "As we have seen over the last 20 years, whatever we do, drugs will continue to get to users in prison. A balance between maintenance of security and humane treatment of prisoners has to be struck. HALF of Scotland's inmates have used drugs in prison, while three-quarters of them reported a decrease in substance abuse during incarceration, according to a survey. The figures are among the key findings of the Scottish Prison Service's (SPS) annual prison survey, published yesterday. While it was found that 50% of prisoners surveyed had used drugs in jail, at some point in the past, 81% reported their drug use had changed during their current incarceration. Of the inmates surveyed, 76% reported a decrease in drug use in jail, while 17% reported an increase in substance abuse. Less than a tenth (7%) indicated a similar level of drug use, but with different drugs. Of those who reported substance abuse, drugs included heroin (53%), cannabis (82%) benzodiazepams (58%) and cocaine (55%). The survey also found that inmates rated their conditions the same or better in 36 out of 44 areas, compared with last year. The vast majority (85%) expressed no fears for their safety in prison in the last month. Of the 15% who said they were afraid, 48% said another prisoner had made them so, while 44% said they were afraid of a group of prisoners. A quarter (27%) feared for their safety because of a prison officer, 13% from a group of prison officers and 5% from a non-uniformed staff member. In general, however, 96% of inmates reported relationships in the prison to be positive. About 93% of prisoners also rated relationships with staff positively. Eight out of 10 prisoners (77%) completed the survey in all of Scotland's 15 prisons, which house more than 6000 inmates at any one time. Tony Cameron, chief executive of the SPS, said the snapshot of prison life across Scotland would help officials deliver a better service. He said: "I take a great deal of satisfaction from the results of this year's survey. "Clearly, there are areas where we could improve further, but in almost all spheres of prison life the direction of change is for the better." David Liddell, director of Scottish Drugs Forum, the national drugs policy and information charity, said: "As we have seen over the last 20 years, whatever we do, drugs will continue to get to users in prison. A balance between maintenance of security and humane treatment of prisoners has to be struck. HALF of Scotland's inmates have used drugs in prison, while three-quarters of them reported a decrease in substance abuse during incarceration, according to a survey. The figures are among the key findings of the Scottish Prison Service's (SPS) annual prison survey, published yesterday. While it was found that 50% of prisoners surveyed had used drugs in jail, at some point in the past, 81% reported their drug use had changed during their current incarceration. Of the inmates surveyed, 76% reported a decrease in drug use in jail, while 17% reported an increase in substance abuse. Less than a tenth (7%) indicated a similar level of drug use, but with different drugs. Of those who reported substance abuse, drugs included heroin (53%), cannabis (82%) benzodiazepams (58%) and cocaine (55%). The survey also found that inmates rated their conditions the same or better in 36 out of 44 areas, compared with last year. The vast majority (85%) expressed no fears for their safety in prison in the last month. Of the 15% who said they were afraid, 48% said another prisoner had made them so, while 44% said they were afraid of a group of prisoners. A quarter (27%) feared for their safety because of a prison officer, 13% from a group of prison officers and 5% from a non-uniformed staff member. In general, however, 96% of inmates reported relationships in the prison to be positive. About 93% of prisoners also rated relationships with staff positively. Eight out of 10 prisoners (77%) completed the survey in all of Scotland's 15 prisons, which house more than 6000 inmates at any one time. Tony Cameron, chief executive of the SPS, said the snapshot of prison life across Scotland would help officials deliver a better service. He said: "I take a great deal of satisfaction from the results of this year's survey. "Clearly, there are areas where we could improve further, but in almost all spheres of prison life the direction of change is for the better." David Liddell, director of Scottish Drugs Forum, the national drugs policy and information charity, said: "As we have seen over the last 20 years, whatever we do, drugs will continue to get to users in prison. A balance between maintenance of security and humane treatment of prisoners has to be struck. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth