Sweeping prison reforms to include drug testing

Compulsory drug testing will be introduced in prisons under new draft rules published today by the Government.

The new Prison Rules, announced by the Minister for Justice Michael McDowell today, deal with all aspects of prison life including visiting rights, accommodation, health, education and the responsibilities of prison officers.

The rules will replace the 1947 rule book when they are signed into law this summer and will come into force by November, the minister said.

Under the new regulations prisoners will be obliged to provide a sample if they are suspected by prison officers of taking drugs.

The rules also lay down a comprehensive disciplinary system with independent hearings for serious cases and an appeals mechanism.

For the first time there will be a statutory basis for the inspection of prisons by the Inspector of Prisons, with the rules stating that the inspector shall be independent in the exercise of his or her functions.

The new laws will also regulate the use of special observation cells which have been introduced for prisoners who are at risk of self-harming.

Mr McDowell said: “The existing Prison Rules date back to 1947 and contain provisions that reflect their age including special provisions for prisoners under sentence of death. Clearly they are no longer adequate or appropriate for today’s conditions.”

The updated rules were drawn up in accordance with the latest draft of the European Prison Rules and rulings by the European Court of Human Rights and replace old regulations on corporal punishment, hard labour and restricted diets.

Other elements of the 1947 rules which have been removed include references to dividing prisoners, with the “first division” being allowed private furniture, access to private food and alcoholic drinks and an assistant for housekeeping duties.

The publication of the Prison Rules is part of Mr McDowell’s plans to modernise the prison system.