What percentage of prisoners entering each prison in each of the last three years were deemed to be either drug or alcohol-dependent and wh…

Answered Asked by Alex Neil SNP Lodged 24 Mar 2005

The question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of prisoners entering each prison in each of the last three years were deemed to be either drug or alcohol-dependent and what criteria are used for categorising prisoners in this way.

The answer

Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 14 Apr 2005 · 21 days after it was lodged, on time

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:
In the year 2003-04 a cross-sectional sample breakdown of prisoners testing positive to illicit drugs on admission per prison is as follows:
Establishment
| %

Aberdeen
| 67

Barlinnie
| 54

Cornton Vale
| 100

Dumfries
| 92

Edinburgh
| 73

Greenock
| 74

Inverness
| 62

Low Moss
| 50

Perth
| 70

Polmont
| 38

There is no breakdown per prison prior to this. National rates were:
2001-02 – 75% positive on admission.
2002-03 – 66% positive on admission.
Urine testing on admission is one part of the criteria used to determine problem drug use. Prisoners also undergo assessment by addiction services (CAART) to determine levels of need in relation to drug and alcohol problems.
Figures are not collected for alcohol use. We estimate that around 5% of prisoners require medical intervention on admission for alcohol withdrawal.

In the Official Report

No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-15576 by reference.