New jails will be installed with "airport-style security" and every prisoner will be assessed for addiction on arrival under plans to clamp down on drugs behind bars.
Body scanners, biometric identification and narcotics sniffer dogs are among a series of measures proposed to stem the flow of dangerous substances that "wreak havoc" behind bars and "scupper the work of frontline staff" in reforming offenders, the Ministry of Justice said.
Ministers will also consider searching prison officers suspected of smuggling drugs into prisons, in a bid to uncover bent guards.
Speaking before the Government unveils its Prisons Strategy White Paper in the Commons today, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “This Government is delivering tougher sentences and 20,000 more prison places to keep the most dangerous criminals off our streets for longer, but prisons also need to play their part in cutting crime and preventing future victims.
“That is why with a zero tolerance approach to drugs and more autonomy for governors to maintain good order, our reforms will clamp down on the causes of reoffending and make sure prison pays.”
Shadow Justice Secretary Steve Reed said: “It’s no wonder that drug use among prisoners has soared in the last decade because the Conservatives have mismanaged our prisons, leading them to become awash with drugs, violence and disorder.
"Conservative incompetence, cuts to the whole justice system and a lack of oversight of contracted companies has left prisons understaffed, dangerous and overcrowded universities of crime where drug addiction is rife and re-offending is commonplace."
