PRISONERS ON DRUGS TO SUFFER 'CLOSED VISITS'

PRISONERS caught using drugs will be barred automatically from physical
contact with their families and friends during visits under Prison Service
proposals.

Up to 15,000 prisoners a year are found using drugs and they would be
separated from their wives, girlfriends and children by a glass screen
through which they can talk but not touch. Closed visits already exist for
exceptionally high-risk prisoners in top security jails and as a punishment
for other inmates, but most prisoners are able to have contact with visitors.

Closed-circuit television is also to be extended to visits areas in another
100 jails and more dogs are to be used in a drive to reduce the amount of
drugs entering prisons.

The proposals in the review were disclosed to The Times as recriminations
broke out between the Prison Service and Sir David Ramsbotham, Chief
Inspector of Prisons, over his claim that up to ten drug barons operated in
every jail. The service demanded that Sir David produce evidence to back
the claim he made to the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee. Last night
he said he had no evidence.

He said he had been asked to estimate how many drug barons there were in
jails. "I gave them a figure off the top of my head. All I can base that on
is that we are aware that in each prison there are a number of people," Sir
David said.

Richard Tilt, Director-General of the Prison Service, accused Sir David of
being unfair because during the past three years the service had introduced
programmes to tackle drug abuse, including improved surveillance and
mandatory drug testing.