A Scottish Prison Service boss says there are “no plans” for more cell searches despite soaring numbers of inmates being caught with drugs.
Fiona Cruickshanks claims guards spending more time searching for contraband would mean less “meaningful engagement” with prisoners.
Ms Cruickshanks, the Scottish Prison Service’s head of operations and public protection, was giving evidence at a probe into the death of killer Rene Howieson.
The 39-year-old died in hospital in May 2020 after apparently taking an illicit substance at HMP Shotts in Lanarkshire. He was serving a life sentence for the murder of neighbour Colin Skilbeck, 41, in Edinburgh in 2017.
The fatal accident inquiry at Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that Howieson was discovered “heavily intoxicated” in his cell and “suspect packages” were recovered by police.
Figures released this year showed that 1,832 Scottish prisoners were caught with drugs in 2021/22, up from just 152 in 2014/15.
Ms Cruickshanks was questioned about the SPS’s policy of having every prisoner’s cell searched at random a minimum three times a year.
Sheriff John Speir asked: “Is there any reason why that number is not higher? If you were able to carry out more frequent cell searches wouldn’t there be a greater possibility of finding more illicit substances?”
Ms Cruickshanks replied: “I think that goes without saying. But it’s just what is operationally feasible.
“If you are locking up individuals to carry out searches you are not doing the more meaningful engagement work that prison officers should be doing. There are no plans to review it just now.
“Staff also do searches if they see something untoward during the course of their normal duties. That type of search is normally more fruitful than a routine one.”
Ms Cruickshanks also said that scanning machines introduced to combat prisoners receiving letters soaked in illicit substances have been “a really good tool” in the fight against drugs. The inquiry continues.
The High Court in Glasgow heard that Howieson and his wife, Kathleen Downey, stabbed Mr Skilbeck and threw boiling water and sugar over him.
Howieson was ordered to serve a minimum of 14 years and two months in prison.
Downey was jailed for five years and three months for culpable homicide.
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