A new poll shows that public demand for early release of prisoners is linked to drug testing

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Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood is facing pressure from the public to link early prison releases to drug testing, a new poll shows.

A survey of 2,001 adults conducted by Opinion Matters found that 90 percent believe drug testing is important for prisoner rehabilitation, while 77.8 percent support 24/7 drug monitoring in prisons.

Crucially, 40 percent would be less concerned about parole if it were linked to drug testing with clear results.

It comes as the government has faced criticism in recent weeks over the early release of thousands of prisoners over the overcrowded conditions they found when they took power from the Tories.

Many prisoners have been released after serving only 40 percent of their sentences to make room in the prison system.

To add to the concerns, capacity in still unopened prisons has been included in future overcrowding models, meaning there is still not enough capacity left in the system over the next five years.

It means that while the government is looking at a further prison construction programme, it is also looking at sentencing alternatives, including house arrest.

But one of the biggest problems in prisons is drug addiction among prisoners and drug smuggling. Now a new drug patch that can monitor prisoners 24/7 is being proposed to help solve the problem.

Last year, the government set up drug-free units in prisons in an effort to tackle the problem in the criminal justice system.

The Justice Department said research has shown that former inmates are 19 percentage points less likely to return to a life of crime if they are free of drug addiction.

The government’s latest drug strategy document for prisons outlined the problem: “Between 2012/2013 and 2017/2018, the number of positive random tests for ‘traditional’ drugs in prisons increased by 50 percent, from 7 percent to 10.6 percent, and Drug use in prisons is now widespread, especially in local male prisons and Category C prisons.”

It added: “The rise of psychoactive substances such as synthetic cannabinoids has exacerbated the problem, and these are often used in combination with other drugs, while we remain aware of issues with the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs.”

But despite work on the issue, a report from the HM Inspectorate of Prisons earlier this year described the problem of drugs in prisons as “a tsunami”.

In one facility, tests showed that more than half of the 600 prisoners at HMP Hindley near Wigan were using drugs.

In his report on HMP Hindley, Charlie Taylor, Chief Inspector of Prisons, highlighted the problems facing the system.

He said: “A large minority of prisoners had links to organized crime, so it is not surprising that the prison had a near tsunami of drugs.”

He added: “Combined with the slowness, boredom and frustration caused by a truly poor regime and very inexperienced staff, it is no surprise that the prison was simply not safe enough.”

Andrea Coomber, director of the Howard League for Penal Reform, warned: “We see hundreds of men locked in their cells, while drug use, violence and self-harm are rife.”

The survey was commissioned by Drug Patch, a company set up to bring an exciting new and innovative product, the Sweat Patch, to Britain. It is the only product that enables continuous drug monitoring, aimed at supporting individuals throughout their recovery journey.

The survey was commissioned by Drug Patch, a company set up to bring an exciting new and innovative product, the Sweat Patch, to Britain. It is the only product that enables continuous drug monitoring, aimed at supporting individuals throughout their recovery journey.

The Sweat Patch has been proven in substance abuse courts, probation and recovery programs in the US, Australia and New Zealand.

Commenting, Dr. Claire George, Drug Patch’s Chief Toxicologist, said: “We are very excited about the potential of this product – it provides a dignified, non-invasive means of continuous monitoring that promotes accountability and helps the individual achieve their recovery goals. reaches.”