Drug recoveries at Inverness prison have risen by more than 20% compared to last year.
Figures obtained by the Press and Journal show that there were 63 cases in 2015-16 compared to 52 cases the year before.
The statistics also showed improvements, with weapons recoveries decreasing from six to two cases, and mobile phone recoveries down from three to two.
A Scottish Prison Service (SPS) spokeswoman said: “A comprehensive range of robust security measures are in place to prevent the introduction of contraband into our prisons. Significant investment continues to be made in the development of new technology and staff training to detect, deter and reduce the availability and supply of illegal drugs.
“Anyone found in possession of contraband is reported to the appropriate authorities”.
Within its approach to tackling Scotland’s drug problem, the Scottish Government states on its own website that: “A comprehensive range of security measures has been developed in order to reduce the supply of illegal drugs entering Scotland’s prisons”.
It adds that “significant investment” has been made in developing new technology to combat the threat of items being smuggled in to prisons and that staff training is maintained to deter people bringing in drugs.
Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain said: “It think it’s great these drugs are being detected by prison staff but I am disappointed with the continued rise. That’s why we need a proper prison facility to help staff carry out checks more effectively.
“I think people will always want to smuggle things in to prisons and always have done but we need to make sure staff have the best facilities to handle it”.
Annual SPS figures released in March last year showed that class A drugs and touch-screen computers were among contraband items seized from visitors to HMP Grampian in Peterhead.
Guards had stopped 10 attempts to smuggle drugs – including heroin, cocaine and cannabis – and also seized 13 tablets and five mobile phones with Sim cards.
Local councillor Alan Buchan said at the time that jail chiefs needed to clamp down on the problem.
