Overview

This bill amends the Prison Act 1952 to broaden the types of substances for which prisoners in England and Wales can be drug tested. It allows for testing beyond just controlled drugs, giving prison authorities greater flexibility in managing substance abuse within prisons.

Description

The Prisons (Drug Testing) Bill modifies the Prison Act 1952, specifically section 16A (drug testing of prisoners). It adds a category called "specified drugs" to the substances for which prisoners can be tested. These "specified drugs" are defined as any substance or product not classified as a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, as specified in prison rules. The bill empowers the Secretary of State to determine the commencement date for these changes via statutory instrument. The act only applies to England and Wales.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending figures. The cost will likely depend on the implementation of the new rules, including additional resources needed for testing and managing the expanded testing regime. No figures are available in the provided bill text.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected include:

• Prisoners in England and Wales: They will be subject to potentially broader drug testing.
• Prison staff: They will be involved in implementing the new testing procedures.
• The Ministry of Justice: Responsible for defining "specified drugs" and overseeing the implementation.

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