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Aithisgean ùra
Committee Reports
Aithisgean Chomataidh
Research Briefings
Brathan-ullachaidh Rannsachadh
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Ais-eòlas
Published by The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
Inquiry into the harm caused by substance misuse in Scottish Prisons
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Published: Friday 16 Jan 2026 (CJS626R01)
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Introduction to the inquiry
Context and background to substance misuse in Scotland’s prisons
Key themes and findings from our inquiry
Drivers of substance use
Availability and supply
Healthcare and treatment
Recovery and throughcare
Workforce and resources
Data and accountability
An emerging consensus?
Key findings
Drivers of substance use and the prison environment
Overview
Poverty, trauma and inequality
Mental health and emotional distress
Purpose, boredom and the prison regime
Access to family and community support
Culture and stigma
Conclusions and recommendations on the drivers of substance use
Recommendations
Supply, security and the control of substances in prison
Overview
Changing nature of supply
Security measures and technological developments
Staff safety
Intelligence, corruption and organised crime
Impact of severe overcrowding and regime pressures
Balancing enforcement and harm reduction
Good practice and innovation
Conclusions and recommendations on the supply and control of illicit substances in Scottish prisons
Recommendations
Health, treatment and recovery services in prisons
Overview
Access to healthcare
Medication-Assisted Treatment standards
Mental health and dual diagnosis
Continuity of care and throughcare
Physical health and blood-borne viruses
Peer and lived-experience roles
Workforce and resources
Data, evaluation and accountability
Conclusions and recommendations on health, treatment and recovery
Recommendations
Rehabilitation, reintegration and recovery pathways
Overview
Throughcare and continuity of support
Housing and stability
Employment, education and skills
Peer mentoring and community networks
Family inclusion and support
Community justice partnerships and multi-agency working
Equality and inclusion
Innovation and good practice
Conclusions and recommendations on rehabilitation and reintegration
Recommendations
Alcohol use in prisons
Prevalence
Entry into prisons and enforcement
Assessment, treatment and rehabilitation
Reintegration and throughcare
Courts, sentencing and alternatives to custody
Conclusions and recommendations relating to alcohol use in prisons
Recommendations
Data, governance and accountability
Overview
Current data landscape
Public Health Scotland and national oversight
Monitoring outcomes
Governance structures and leadership
Learning, evaluation and research
Transparency and public confidence
Conclusions and recommendations on data, governance and accountability
Recommendations
Final overarching conclusions
Annexe A: Summary of relevant legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament
Annexe B: Extract from Minutes
Annexe C: Relevant Published Data
Annexe D: Written and oral evidence
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