'DISASTER' OF PAYOUTS TO DRUG CONS

DAMAGES being paid to prisoners because they were forced to stop
taking drugs in jail has been branded a "massive failure" in public protection.

Drugs charity DrugScope said a group of six who used heroin and other
opiates were on the verge of settling out of court with the Prison Service.

The claimants - some of them inmates and others ex-cons - allege the
"cold turkey" treatment amounted to assault.

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said the case set a "disastrous"
precedent, adding that Home Secretary John Reid had failed to protect
the public.

The test case was due to be heard in the High Court today. A total of
198 claimants could be in line to receive compensation running into
tens of thousands once the size of the group's settlement is finalised.

A Home Office spokeswoman declined to comment as "the litigation is
still ongoing".