Pubdate: Mon, 03 Dec 2007
Source: Courier, The (Dundee, UK)
Copyright: DC Thomson & Co Ltd
Contact:  http://www.thecourier.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/802
Author: Paul Reoch

PRISON'S ANTI-DRUG POLICY DEFENDED

THE SCOTTISH PRISON Service (SPS) last night defended  its stance on
intercepting drugs in Perth Prison.

Statistics obtained by The Courier through the Freedom  of Information
Act (FOI) reveal a total of 55 incidents  involving substances thought
to be drugs at Perth  Prison in 2006, which were then passed on to
police for  investigation.

In addition, there were 28 instances where the police  were not
informed during this period.

However, due to a change in policy agreed between the  police and the
SPS, the figures have dramatically  fallen this year to just 12, with
none being reported  at all for the period from October to the present.

Forty-five cases were not passed on to the police in  this
time.

The issue of drugs in Perth Prison was highlighted  recently when
Diane Martin (43), of Newhouse Road,  Perth, was found guilty after
trial by a jury of being  concerned in the supply of diamorphine
(heroin) into  the prison on May 13, 2006.

During the trial the court heard from Detective  Constable Robert
McKendrick who said heroin has become  the "drug of choice" within the
prison system.

He said, "Most days someone will try to smuggle  something into Perth
Prison."

Martin will be sentenced at the sheriff court on  Wednesday.

An SPS spokesman explained the change in policy.

"Previously, all matters of drug finds were reported to  police, but
this was altered to reflect police practice  to dealing with drugs,"
he said.

"However, all drug finds are put in production bags and  given to the
police to dispose of."

The figures for 2006 were: 31 instances of drug finds  being reported
to police between January and March;  nine from April to June; nine
from July to September;  and six from October to December.

The highest ratio this year was during the July to  September period,
when seven drug finds were reported  to police.

The SPS spokesman added, "The successful interception  of drugs coming
into the establishment is testament to  the vigilance and hard work of
the staff at HMP Perth."
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MAP posted-by: Derek