Written question asked by George Howarth (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 29 November 1996. It was answered by Ann Widdecombe (Conservative) on Friday, 29 November 1996 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office;Prison Service

Question: What special procedures the Prison Service adopts when testing women inmates who are menstruating for drugs. - Text of letter from Richard Tilt of Prison Service Agency.

Answer: Mr. Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what special procedures the Prison Service adopts when testing women inmates who are menstruating for drugs. [5670] Miss Widdecombe: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 29 November 1996: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the procedures for testing menstruating women for drugs. There are no special arrangements for collecting urine samples from menstruating women. Women of the Muslim and Jewish faiths are strongly opposed to exposing blood and staff are advised to take account of such religious convictions in considering whether to lay disciplinary charges when a prisoner refuses to provide a sample on those grounds. Contamination of the sample by menstrual blood is a possibility. If contamination of a sample by blood occurs, the sample is sent to the laboratory for advice on whether it can still be analysed. Statistics on samples spoiled by menstrual blood are not kept, however only 1.5% of samples from female establishments are declared spoiled for any reason, including damage in transit, dilution or adulteration by other substances.

Secondary information