Humfrey Malins

Conservative Party | Woking

Humfrey Malins MP challenges the Justice Minister over drugs

In questions to the Minister for Justice in the House of Commons on Tuesday 11th March, Humfrey Malins MP for Woking demanded that action is taken over the amount of drugs available in prisons.  Humfrey spoke of his visit to HMP Send, where he spent time with female prisoners taking part in the RAPT (Rehabilitation of addicted prisoners trust) 12 step programme, many of whom mentioned that they had to keep separate from the rest of the prison during the programme due to the amount of drugs available.  Trying to stay free from drugs when they are so accessible in the prison system makes the task of rehabilitation even more difficult. 

Telling the Minister that his answers had been `deeply unsatisfactory`, Humfrey stated that this problem is rife in many prisons, not just HMP Send and that `we need action, not words`.  A parliamentary expert on drugs and justice, as well as a Crown Court Recorder and District Judge, Humfrey is well recognised in Westminster as extremely knowledgeable in this field, which was recognised by the Minister. 

Humfrey said `I have seen this first hand at HMP Send, and I know it is symptomatic of prisons around the country.  They are awash with drugs, and until this is stopped, it will continue to make rehabilitation even harder for those trying to seek help with drug addictions.  The Government must take action to ensure that the availability of drugs in our prisons is eradicated`.