Durham Prison Drugs Problem

Dan Ashby's report on the extent of the drugs problem at Durham Prison.

The Prison Service has released a statement, after a report was released about the availability of drugs at Durham Prison.

Nick Hardwick, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, says he is concerned about the reported extent of the drugs problem at Durham Prison.

HM Prison Inspectorate's main concerns surrounding Durham Prison:

• 1 in 5 prisoners tested positive in drug tests; more than a third said it was easy to get drugs in the prison; and 13% said they developed a drug problem while they were there
• the availability of drugs was a significant cause of bullying and there was a lack of rigour in tackling the problem

• the prison was not sufficiently safe, with around 110 violent incidents a month
• prisoners spent between 16 and 20 hours in their cells each day
• the prison was overcrowded and operating at 50% over the number it's intended to hold

Durham Prison is facing significant problems with drug use, according to a report by inspectors. A report shows that a poll of a quarter of inmates had developed problems since being there.

The inspection found that drug use was a 'significant' cause of bullying within the prison and said the drug treatment service there was "poorly staffed" and "lacking leadership". The inspection also found there were significant levels of self harm with more than 250 incidents in nine months.