Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
80 drug recoveries at Tayside prison
Bosses at HMP Perth have revealed that 80 recoveries were made at the prison between January 1 and November 6 last year.
The figures from the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), released via a freedom of information request, also show that 26 mobile phones were found in the prison over the same period.
The SPS said anyone found in possession of contraband will be reported to the authorities.
It was previously revealed by the Tele that drug seizures by prison services spiked in 2015 when a haul of 90.5 grams of heroin was seized at the Perth facility, which had a projected street value of more than £4,700.
A spokeswoman for the SPS said: “We recognise the importance of providing a safe and secure environment for our staff and those in our custody. Any prohibited items being recovered within our establishments can be attributed to the professionalism and diligence of our staff and partners, advances in technology and the deployment of various methods of detection, such as intelligence gathering and tactical dog units.
“A comprehensive range of robust security measures are in place to prevent the introduction of contraband into our prisons. Significant investment continues to be made in the development of new technology and staff training to detect, deter and reduce the availability and supply of illegal drugs. Anyone found in possession of contraband or attempting to smuggle such items into our prisons will be reported to the authorities.
“Possession of a mobile phone in prison is a criminal offence. If we receive information to suggest that prisoners are in possession of such devices, we will take all appropriate action and report it to the relevant authorities.”
Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary and North East MSP Liam Kerr said: “Prisons are supposed to be absolutely secure environments.
“Just as people expect nothing to be let out that shouldn’t, they also don’t want to see illegal items going in.
“It’s therefore disappointing to see so many seizures, and this obviously doesn’t include those items which are never found.
“We need to get tough on smuggling items into prison and ensure those who do are punished heavily when caught.”
DOZENS of drug seizures were made at a Tayside jail in under a year.