Jail made ‘several’ 999 drug calls in day
PARAMEDICS were deployed to a Scottish prison ‘several times’ in 24 hours amid a growing drug overdose crisis, a Tory MSP has revealed.
Russell Findlay said he learned about the multiple visits during a fact-finding trip as part of the Scottish Government’s justice committee, and has written to justice secretary Keith Brown about drug use behind bars.
In the letter, Mr Findlay said all correspondence to prisoners should be photocopied before they receive it to block the use of drug-soaked paper.
He wrote: ‘HMP Edinburgh tell me that during lockdown, when prisoners were receiving photocopies of mail due to Covid restrictions, drugs prevalence and use amongst prisoners fell.
‘When restrictions ended, staff saw an immediate and significant rise. Several ambulances were called to the prison in one day to deal with prisoners who had suffered suspected adverse affects from drug-taking.’
Mr Findlay added his answer to the war against drugs in prison – the photocopier – should be implemented urgently so as not to ‘exacerbate’ the current ambulance crisis. Mr Brown committed to considering that proposal when Mr Findlay raised it in a committee meeting on September 1.
A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said the decision about calling an ambulance was the decision of medical professionals or concerned staff.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘A comprehensive range of robust security measures is in place to prevent the introduction of contraband entering our prisons.’