Prison drugs problem on gradual decline

It would appear that the situation is gradually improving with numbers reducing greatly since 2007/8.

Of the 108 inmates randomly tested in the past year there was only a 9.26% failure rate, with a 15% failure rate of the 40 people who were target tested, this compares to 54% back in 2007/8.

He was also asked by Onchan MHK Zack Hall for a rundown of the illicit drugs seized from inside the prison from both inmates and visitors.

Again the findings compare very favourably, with 2008 producing seizures of heroin and various quantities of prescription medication, in the past year they had a visitor try to smuggle in some subutex, with 3 prisoners found with prescription medication in their cells.

Increased security and passive and pro drug dogs are cited as a key deterrent in the prison's battle against drugs.