Committees

Tackling drugs in prisons: MPs to hear latest evidence of their extent and impact across the prison estate

21 February 2025

The Justice Committee will hear from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor, National Chair of the Independent Monitoring Boards, Elisabeth Davies and Professor Dame Carol Black during the first evidence session of its tackling drugs in prisons inquiry.

MPs on the cross-party Committee, chaired by Labour MP Andy Slaughter, will discuss the current situation of drug prevalence and its impact on prison safety and conditions. During the second panel, three prison governors will provide an overview of the challenges they face addressing drugs in prisons. They will also speak about existing drug strategies, the resources available to them and the implications of drugs. 

The Committee’s inquiry examines the scale and impact of drugs in prisons in England and Wales, including the primary factors driving demand, plus the effect of drugs in prisons on safety, security, staffing and prisoner well-being. 

The inquiry is looking into the supply of drugs into prisons, the involvement of organised criminal gangs in the distribution and trafficking of drugs in prisons, plus the use of technology including drones and mobile phones in facilitating the process.

It is also analysing the effectiveness of current measures to tackle the issue, including drug testing and drug treatment for prisoners, substance-free wings and screening tools.

Witnesses

at 2.30pm

  • Charlie Taylor, Chief Inspector of Prisons, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons
  • Elisabeth Davies, National Chair, Independent Monitoring Boards  
  • Professor Dame Carol Black, Independent Government adviser on drugs

at 3.30pm (approx)

  • Natalie McKee, Governor, HMP/YOI Hindley 
  • Babafemi Dada, Governor, HMP Long Lartin 
  • Rob Luxford, Governor, HMP Liverpool 

Further information

Image: House of Commons