Sniffer dogs to be used to end drug culture in prisons

MANDATORY drug testing, sniffer dogs and stricter visitor searches are to be introduced in a bid to eradicate the drug culture in prisons, Justice Minister Michael McDowell said yesterday.

Mr McDowell said the current situation could not continue as he published a strategy which aims to eliminate the supply of drugs into jails and ensure treatment is available to addicted prisoners.

“Tolerating a culture of this kind within prisons in not an option,” he said. “Drug abuse creates a culture of violence and intimidation, a culture extending beyond the prison walls into the neighbouring community and the families of inmates.”