First reported 25 Nov 2015•Latest report 4 Feb 2026
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes dedicated prison physical-security, perimeter, structural and transfer-route controls intended to prevent or intercept drugs and other prohibited materials, including security fences, prison plumbing, windows, netting and comparable physical barriers or interception measures.
Not included
Excludes prison drug-risk intelligence, warnings, healthcare responses and general psychoactive-substance management where no deficient physical-security or contraband-transfer control is identified.
Excludes searches, screening and seizure processes unless the assertion specifically concerns a physical control preventing or intercepting contraband transfer.
Excludes generic prison staffing, training, communication, policy or governance deficiencies unless they directly impair a dedicated physical-security control for preventing contraband transfer.
Excludes general ward security, patient-room searches and custody access controls where drugs or prohibited-material transfer within the prison estate is not the shared unsafe condition.
Reports
4
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
5
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2015–2026
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
8
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
HM Prison and Probation Service3
Ministry of Justice3
Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust1
Birmingham Prison1
G4S1
Guys Marsh Prison1
Parc Prison and Young Offender Institute1
Executive agency3
Ministerial department3
Prison or young offender institution3
NHS trust1
Prison operator1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised2
Failure to maintain the gate house at a security level that restricts entry of illicit materials
Failure to maintain prison-block windows at a security level that restricts entry of illicit materials
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.6
Action
Plan expansion works for a new Gate House and refurbishment of the existing Gate House to accommodate Enhanced Gate Security.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Use specialist screening equipment routinely to screen staff, professional visitors and social visitors entering the prison.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Expand the Special Searching Team to increase the frequency and quality of staff and visitor searches.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Fund and deploy additional external dog patrols to reduce contraband throwovers and support searching.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Develop a business case seeking funding for staffing and additional dogs to support searching seven days a week during core hours.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Action
Deliver the phased replacement of vulnerable prison windows to reduce contraband ingress.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 4 February 2026.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
A temporary gatehouse extension was not pursued because existing interim searching measures were considered a better use of finances, though less comprehensive.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
HMPPS must approve and fund building-design changes, while G4S is contracted only to manage and maintain the existing facility.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Window replacement cannot be completed widescale or faster because approved suppliers, specialist contractors, prisoner relocation and security logistics constrain delivery.
Stated by Clyde & Co Claims LLPUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Dorset
Concerns raised1
Failure of prison security fences to prevent the transfer of drugs and other prohibited materials between prisoners
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Conduct diagnostic checks of internal and external perimeters, including fences and gates, to identify drug-supply vulnerabilities and report findings to establishments.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 23 December 2021.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Existing security fences at HMP Guys Marsh meet agreed national requirements, so further review is not identified as necessary.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Failure to prevent drugs and other items being passed through the prison plumbing system
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Birmingham and Solihull
Concerns raised1
Insufficient exercise-area netting and package interception
This report raised 11 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Undertake collaborative work with West Midlands Police to close the prison’s most significant illicit-substance ingress point.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 25 November 2015.
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Includes dedicated prison physical-security, perimeter, structural and transfer-route controls intended to prevent or intercept drugs and other prohibited materials, including security fences, prison plumbing, windows, netting and comparable physical barriers or interception measures.
