Inadequate prison physical security controls preventing transfer of drugs and contraband
First to latest report 25 Nov 2015 — 4 Feb 2026
Reports that mention this concern
4
Times this concern has been raised
5
Stated actions linked to this concern
8
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.
What is 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.
Trends
Reports over time
Reports mentioning this concern, 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
Reports and published responses 4 reports
See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response
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.
Linked response
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.6
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
Plan expansion works for a new Gate House and refurbishment of the existing Gate House to accommodate Enhanced Gate Security.
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
Use specialist screening equipment routinely to screen staff, professional visitors and social visitors entering the prison.
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
Expand the Special Searching Team to increase the frequency and quality of staff and visitor searches.
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
Fund and deploy additional external dog patrols to reduce contraband throwovers and support searching.
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
Develop a business case seeking funding for staffing and additional dogs to support searching seven days a week during core hours.
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
Deliver the phased replacement of vulnerable prison windows to reduce contraband ingress.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
A temporary gatehouse extension was not pursued because existing interim searching measures were considered a better use of finances, though less comprehensive.
Existing arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
HMPPS must approve and fund building-design changes, while G4S is contracted only to manage and maintain the existing facility.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Clyde & Co Claims LLP
Window replacement cannot be completed widescale or faster because approved suppliers, specialist contractors, prisoner relocation and security logistics constrain delivery.
Unable 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.
Linked response
HM Prison and Probation Service
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
HM Prison and Probation Service
Conduct diagnostic checks of internal and external perimeters, including fences and gates, to identify drug-supply vulnerabilities and report findings to establishments.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
HM Prison and Probation Service
Existing security fences at HMP Guys Marsh meet agreed national requirements, so further review is not identified as necessary.
Existing 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.
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.
Linked response
HM Prison and Probation Service
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
HM Prison and Probation Service
Undertake collaborative work with West Midlands Police to close the prison’s most significant illicit-substance ingress point.
Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.
Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.