Overview

This bill amends the Prison Act 1952 to broaden the scope of drug testing in prisons in England and Wales. It allows prison authorities to test inmates for a wider range of substances beyond those currently controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, as determined by prison rules.

Description

The bill modifies section 16A of the Prison Act 1952, which deals with drug testing of prisoners. It introduces the term "specified drug," defined as any substance or product listed in prison rules for testing purposes. Importantly, these "specified drugs" do not need to be controlled substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The bill also amends section 47 of the Act, enabling prison rules to specify which non-controlled substances can be included in mandatory testing. The bill only applies to England and Wales and its commencement date is to be determined by the Secretary of State.

Government Spending

The bill's impact on government spending is not explicitly stated. The cost of implementing wider drug testing, including the procurement of testing kits and additional personnel, is likely to increase expenditure but precise figures are not provided within the bill itself.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected include:

• Prisoners in England and Wales: They will be subject to a wider range of drug tests, potentially leading to increased disciplinary measures or treatment programs.
• Prison staff: They will be involved in the implementation of the new testing procedures.
• The Ministry of Justice: They will be responsible for defining the list of "specified drugs" and overseeing the implementation of the new regulations.

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