Prison drugs payout 'is madness'

The Government has admitted that the policy was a breach of their human rights and awarded the 197 inmates a total of £750,000, according to the Daily Mail newspaper.

The inmates had been using methadone, paid for by the Government, to combat their addictions, but this was briefly abandoned in favour of a "cold turkey" detox.

Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Herbert said: "Prisoners are receiving thousands of pounds in compensation while the victims of crime frequently end up with nothing.

"It is a breach of no-one's rights, let alone prisoners', to be denied drugs to help them sustain their illegal habit. For the Government to pay compensation is madness. It sends a signal that all addicts in prison deserve to have their drug addiction maintained, paid for by taxpayer, when they should really be getting clean and preparing to go straight."

The inmates' case had been expected to be heard in November 2006 but the Government settled out of court shortly before that, the newspaper said. The amounts of the settlements have emerged in answers to Parliamentary questions, it added. Once legal fees are taken into account, the final bill could top £1 million.

A Prison Service spokesman said: "We successfully defend the majority of contested claims. We make payments only when we are instructed to do so by the courts or where strong legal advice suggests that a settlement will save public money.

"Each compensation claim received by the Prison Service is treated on its individual merits. Legal advice is sought and, on the basis of that advice, a decision is made on whether or not the claim should be defended. We cannot therefore comment on individual cases or the reasons that they were settled, as the terms of each settlement vary and may be subject to confidentiality clauses."

He added: "In the November 2006 test case all prisoners were offered some form of treatment for their substance misuse but the drugs given to control symptoms of withdrawal were given in inappropriate doses and the duration of treatment was too short and not properly monitored.

"Since 2000 the Service has worked closely with the Department of Health to improve treatment for substance misusers in prison. We have a common law duty to look after those incarcerated in prison, which includes ensuring they have access to adequate medical treatment."