DRUG TESTS IN JAILS STEPPED UP AFTER HEROIN USE REPORT

Scottish prisons are reforming their drug-testing regime and stepping
up security after a damning report on their own staff's concerns
about heroin use behind bars.

It shows staff think visiting regulations should be made tougher.
Half of them thought testing for cannabis, which is detectable for a
month after smoking it, is encouraging people to move on to heroin
use which is harder to find in urine samples.

The research showed staff believe heroin is "probably the easiest"
drug to smuggle into jail, and almost always comes in during visits
from outsiders. Prisoners claimed to the Glasgow Caledonian
University researchers that staff had seen drugs being used and did
not stop it, believing drug-use to be necessary to avoid disruption.

Nearly half of drug addiction officers on prison staff said most
prisoners with drug problems are not in contact with drug
interventions. Two-thirds believe regulations during visits should be
made stricter.

There was a Tory call last night for screens to stop drugs being
passed from visitors to inmates, but a prison service source said
this was not practical.

Drugs are passed in babies' nappies, under the table in people's
shoes and by being quickly swallowed, it was explained.

Since the prison service received the research two months ago it has
begun to put in more resources and improve security, while it is
understood there is a more pragmatic approach to cannabis testing to
avoid the incentive for people to move on to heroin.

Young offenders could be offered paid apprenticeships as an
alternative to prison, in a bid to find effective alternatives to
short jail sentences.

The idea is reported to have backing from Cathy Jamieson, the justice minister.

Other parties are moving towards more support for such
community-based sentences, after both the Liberal Democrats and the
SNP last week backed calls to replace jail terms of less than six months.

The offenders would be able to train for a trade, making it more
likely they can find employment, get away from chaotic lifestyles,
and stay out of further trouble.

The plan is being put forward by the new Criminal Justice
Authorities, which are gearing up to tackle reoffending problems from
next year.

A spokeswoman for the executive said: "We're interested in hearing
any new proposals about how this can be taken forward as part of our
wider effort to reduce reoffending."