ONE IN FOUR PRISONERS AT CUMBRIAN JAIL USES DRUGS

One in four prisoners at a jail Cumbrian men are sent to is using
drugs, a report has revealed.

The HM Inspectorate of Prisons said drug abuse continued to be a
serious problem at Durham, following an unannounced visit in October.

Arrangements for prisoners on the heroin substitute methadone are
also "unsatisfactory" said the report.

However, the prison was praised for keeping inmates safe, as well as
the quality of healthcare and education.

Over a quarter of prisoners at the jail are on a drug treatment
programme, inspectors said.

Durham suffers from many of the problems of old, overcrowded
prisons.

The report highlighted problems with methadone administration and the
difficulties those undergoing drug treatment found in attending activities.

Dame Anne Owers, Chief Inspector of Prisons, said: "Durham suffers
from many of the problems of old, overcrowded local prisons.

"There is not enough for prisoners to do, and there are difficulties
in managing a large transient population, from an area where
substance misuse is very high. It is commendable that the prison was
relatively safe and that its resettlement work had improved
significantly."

The report praised the jail's mental health services and training
programmes, which have a "a strong focus on employability", and said
resettlement work had improved considerably.

HMP Durham is a category B prison for male prisoners from across the
north east and Cumbria.