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."