Written question asked by Tom Cox (Labour) on Thursday, 22 April 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 28 April 1999. It was answered by George Howarth (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 April 1999 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many inmates in prisons in England and Wales have a record of illegal drug taking. - Including figures.

Answer: Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates in prisons in England and Wales have a record of illegal drug taking. [82289] Mr. George Howarth: Between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 1998, 88,304 mandatory drug tests were conducted on prisoners, of which 20,152 tested positive for drugs. The figures include some prisoners who will have been tested more than once. Implementation of the Prison Service drug strategy over the next three years will include provision of information about new prisoners' histories of drug misuse prior to arrival in prison.

Secondary information