Prisons in England and Wales face severe challenges from drug smuggling, which has destabilised the system and hindered rehabilitation efforts. Criminal gangs are reportedly using drones to deliver contraband to inmates. A report indicates that overcrowding and insufficient staff lead to a lack of activities for prisoners, contributing to drug use. A survey found that 39% of prisoners found it easy to obtain drugs, and random drug tests showed high positivity rates. Safety threats arise from this pervasive drug issue, while many inmates cited boredom as a major factor for drug use.
"This meant in many jails, there were seemingly uncontrolled levels of criminality that hard-pressed and often inexperienced staff were unable to contain," Charlie Taylor wrote.
"If you want spice [synthetic cannabis] or weed or something stronger, you can get it in a jiffy. Everyone inside knows who's got some. You can smell it across the wings."
A survey of 5,431 prisoners found 39% said it was easy to acquire drugs, while 30% of random drug tests came back positive.
Overcrowding and staffing shortages were contributing to a lack of purposeful activities for prisoners to do that would aid their rehabilitation.
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