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Alex throws down challenge to Justice Secretary visiting Holme House

Hope that the Secretary of State will recognise the need for greater action on drugs and mules coming in from Durham prison on his visit to Holme House prison was expressed today by Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham.

HMP Holme House is based in Stockton North, and Mr Cunningham has been raising concern about drugs in the prison for over a year as it is seen to be becoming a much bigger issue – and needs greater attention from Government.

Alex had voiced concerns over the Holme House annual report earlier this year, calling it “damning” and expressed concerns about increased violence and that young offenders are being held at Holme House which is for adult male offenders. Several times he has asked in the Commons for action including the use of special body scanners that can detect drugs inside people’s bodies.

Alex said:

“I am sorry I had to be in Parliament at the time of the Justice Secretary’s visit and therefore not able to welcome him to Stockton North, but I hope that he will recognise the need for greater action on drugs and mules coming in from Durham prison.

“I have asked the Prisons Minister to include Holme house in the trial of new scanners which can detect drugs inside the body. I’m sure that would help with the increasing use of spice, which is damaging for prisoners and staff alike.

“I hope that the Justice Secretary will agree with me after his visit that there are serious concerns that need to be addressed, particularly on the issue of drugs, prisoner on prisoner and prisoner on prison officer violence.”