We take a zero-tolerance approach to contraband in prisons. Anyone found with illicit items should be subject to disciplinary proceedings or, where appropriate, referral to the police.

The categories of illicit items that prisons use to record where items are in packages sent to prisoners are ‘alcohol’, ‘tobacco’, ‘weapons’, ‘drugs’, ‘phones’ and ‘other reportable items’.

We have not previously published data regarding how many illegal items in all of the categories above have been found in packages sent to prisoners. The information requested is planned for publication by the Ministry of Justice in July, and will be available on GOV.UK.

A range of measures are used by NOMS to prevent trafficking of items into prisons. There is a requirement for prisons to record centrally instances where drugs, mobile phones and firearms (including chemical incapacitants and ammunition) are seized coming into prison, but there is no such requirement in respect of other items.

During the period 1 February to 31 May 2015, there were 268 instances recorded where reportable illegal items were found in packages¹ sent to prisoners. The following table lists the (a) prisons and (b) corresponding reportable illegal items which were found.

¹ ‘Packages’ includes those incoming items recorded as “parcels”, “post”, “mail” or “packages”.

Prisons use a comprehensive range of security measures to detect, disrupt and deter the trafficking of illegal items into prisons. Despite these measures there will always be attempts made to smuggle items to prisoners. It is a requirement for prisons to record centrally instances where drugs, mobile phones, firearms and ammunition are discovered in prison.

During the period 1 February to 31 May 2015 there were instances recorded where drugs and mobile phones were discovered in packages¹ sent into prisoners.

¹ “Packages” includes those incoming items recorded as “parcels”, “post”, “mail” or “packages”