Prison drug testing programme branded a stunt
The Government’s plan to encourage prisoners to undergo voluntary dope tests is a publicity stunt which won’t address drug use in prisons, it was claimed today.
Under the plan, inmates will be offered incentives like better food and additional visits and phonecalls to encourage them to take part in the monthly drug-testing scheme.
The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) executive director Rick Lines said: “Minister Michael McDowell’s drug strategy seems almost wilfully ignorant of everything we’ve learned about effective and evidence-based responses to drugs in prison over the past 10 years.”
Details of the crackdown on prison drugs were unveiled by the Irish Prison Service as the Prison Officers Association meets for its annual conference.
The new strategy is aimed at eliminating the supply of drugs to prisons and reducing the demand.
A random sample of 5%-10% of prisoners will be tested each month.
The crackdown will also include screened visits in all closed prisons and a discretionary ban on physical contact between a prisoner and visitor.
All visitors will also be required to present photo identification.
The IPRT said it was concerned at the ongoing lack of access to methadone for prisoners. It also called for HIV and Hepatitis C prevention measures such as syringe exchange.
It claimed over 25% of inmates are infected with Hepatitis C, and Irish prisons have some of the highest levels of injecting drug use in Western Europe.
Mr Lines accused the Government of failing to address drug use in prisons in a sensible or pragmatic manner.
“The strategy is further evidence of this Government’s willingness to play politics with a serious public health concern,” he added.
