Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) recognise the impact of illicit drugs in prisons and the importance of supporting prisoners on their recovery journey.

We are committed to ensuring that the prison population have access to healthcare that is, as a minimum, equal to that offered in the community. A recent example is the development of a prisoner Healthcare Target Operating Model to provide a framework for nationally consistent healthcare delivery including the future state of addictions services. The National Prison Care Network are visiting NHS Boards to support the implementation of this model.

There are already a range of innovative projects in prisons including recovery cafes, recovery walks, mutual aid groups and other positive diversionary activities. Partnership working is crucial and the SPS works with several third sector organisations to deliver consistent recovery pathways to help individuals reintegrate back into communities. The multi-disciplinary Recovery Network also provides the SPS with an opportunity to share and replicate best practice in the community.

Medication Assisted Treatment standards are a key component of our National Drugs Mission and the SPS have committed to embed these standards across the prison estate. It is working with NHS Partners to ensure healthcare choice aligns with community-based treatment services wherever possible. In addition, the Prison to Rehab Protocol supports individuals to access abstinence-based treatment on release and sets out the process for prison staff, service providers and individuals on accessing the pathway.

All this work directly links to the Scottish Government’s National Mission. However, enforcement is also important, and a variety of operational and technological responses are deployed to prevent substances entering the prison estate. These include body scanners and Rapiscan machines, which detect substances that may be concealed in items of mail and personal property.