SCANDAL OF FAILED PRISON DRUG TESTS

Call For Action After 2,000 Positive Results In Two Years

Prisoners in Northern Ireland jails have failed drug tests almost
2,000 times in just two years, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal today.

Shock new figures show that the number of positive tests for illegal
substances on inmates at Maghaberry, Magilligan and Hydebank prisons
has soared over the past five years.

The news has sparked urgent calls for additional resources to stamp
out drug smuggling into the jails by visitors.

According to the statistics, which were released to North Down MP
Lady Sylvia Hermon by Security Minister Paul Goggins, 15% (692) of
drug tests carried out on prisoners last year were positive. In
2005, almost 25% (1,250) showed the presence of illegal substances.

In comparison, in 2002, 7% (216) of tests were returned as positive.

High-security Maghaberry Prison has had the largest percentage of
positive drugs tests of all three establishments.

In each year over the past three years almost one in three tests at
Maghaberry showed the presence of illegal drugs.

While the Young Offenders Centre and female jail at Hydebank has the
least number of inmates it returned the highest number of positive
drug tests for three out of five years.

In 2005 alone, 704 tests at Hydebank - 27% of 2,603 tests carried
out - came back positive. However, last year that number dropped
significantly to 134 - 8% of the total number of tests.

As the Northern Ireland Prison Service does not have a full
programme of mandatory drug testing the figures are based on
voluntary tests. Prisoners are encouraged to take drug tests in
return for privileges.

"I am extremely concerned by these figures as they clearly
demonstrate persistent abuse and misuse inside our prisons," said Lady Hermon.

She added: "Although the detected level of drugs abuse at Hydebank
had significantly reduced between 2005 and 2006, the same certainly
cannot be said of Maghaberry where around one in three tests proved
positive during the same period.

"This cannot be tolerated. Additional resources for drugs searching
of prison visitors must be provided urgently."

Minister Goggins said that the Prison Service is planning to change
prison rules to enable mandatory drug testing.

A spokeswoman for the Northern Ireland Prison Service pointed out
that the figures show the percentage of positive results has fallen
from 2005 to 2006.

She added: "The Prison Service has a clear responsibility to target
its resources to do what it can to prevent the misery and hardship
experienced by prisoners and their families associated with drug and
alcohol abuse and addiction. This is clearly stated in the NIPS
policy on Drug and Substance Misuse published last summer."