CONCERN OVER DRUGS IN PRISON

THERE have been 42 seizures of illicit drugs from prisoners at HMP
Peterborough so far this year, it emerged today.

In response to a question from city MP Stewart Jackson, Justice
Minister David Hanson revealed there have been 35 seizures from men
and seven from women since January.

The total number of drug seizures recorded in 2006 was
43.

Mr Jackson said: "The prevalence of drugs in the prison had been
mentioned to me, and I knew there had been one or two court cases
involving people taking drugs into the prison.

"I didn't feel I was going to get any answer from the prison, so I
asked the question.

"I think it's important we know the scale of the problem and what they
are doing to deal with drugs misuse in the prison."

The news comes a month after a Peterborough Crown Court judge claimed
the prison was "awash with drugs".

Recorder Sean Enright said the presence of drugs in the privately-run
jail was harming the rehabilitation of offenders.

He made the claims while jailing Terry Williams (22), of Hackney,
London, for trying to smuggle heroin and cannabis into the prison.

At the time, a spokeswoman for Kalyx, the company which runs the
prison, refuted the suggestion and said they were vigilant.

Spokeswoman Rachel Evans said: "So far this year drug testing of
prisoners has shown we are below the level of positive tests expected
by the Home Office.

"We are not awash with drugs."

The category B jail in Westwood opened in March 2005 with capacity for
480 men and 360 women.