More than 75 percent of prisoners test positive for drugs on entering prison, according to Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton.

He said Government is committed to weaning inmates off narcotics.

Fencing, perimeter lighting and surveillance cameras have been installed following recommendations from the 2001 prisons board of inquiry.

However Mr. Horton said, in a Budget brief provided to The Royal Gazette, that he was worried about the drugs still finding their way into Westgate despite the sniffer dogs and ion scan.

He said: "Statistics reveal that the urine samples of over 75 percent of inmates tested positive for illegal substances on reception.

"The importance of treatment can not be over-emphasised. The Department of Corrections will use every resource available to create opportunities for treatment in all three facilities.

"The initiative will target the areas and gaps that cause unsuccessful reintegration when released.

"The programme will address relapse prevention, community follow-up treatment and self-affirmation. These programmes are vital to the success of all other programmes and will be pursued vigorously."

The Prisons Amendment Rules 2002 allows the Department to take samples of urine from inmates randomly and to test those samples at the Government analyst lab.

Two ion scan machines capable of detecting drug particles operate daily, mainly at Westgate. Mr. Horton said a third ion scan machine is to be purchased in the coming financial year for the East End facilities.

"The screening of staff and visitors continued over the period with mixed results," said Mr. Horton.

Approximately 69 staff members were screened daily for contact, resulting in over 25,000 screenings for the year.

"A total of 33 first screenings revealed that contact with controlled substances had occurred. However, a second screening of the 33 showed negative results.

"Of the 1,500 visitors to the correctional facilities screened, 118 visitors screened positive for contact with controlled substances.

"A total of 23 of these individuals failed subsequent screenings and were denied entry. Four visitors refused to be searched and were denied entry."

The Minister said the Canine Unit of two dogs and two handlers and the ion scan teams work closely as the main interdiction effort.

"The presence of the dogs helped to keep objectivity in the search and enforcement of the drug interdiction programme.

"The Canine Unit continues to be a useful interdiction tool with increased presence at all facilities. More emphasis was placed on evenings and random checks."

He said seizures of contraband such as cellular phones, money, crack pipes, drugs were due to the success of this unit.

"Reports of the presence of illicit drugs in our correctional facilities continue to alarm the Government.

"Additionally, they heighten our resolve to take decisive steps against persons caught engaged in this illicit activity."

There is also help at hand for offenders with histories of substance abuse at the Transitional Living Centre (TLC) at Westgate which is in its third year.

It was established under Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) initiative to help offenders to make a successful transition from incarceration to productive community life.

Mr. Horton said: "Excellent gains have been obtained in the area of debt reduction and savings, which greatly increases the chances for discharged residents to make a successful long-term transition to responsible, productive citizenship.

"This helps to build values and pride while increasing the likelihood of long-term financial responsibility. Recognising the benefits for extending programme support beyond discharge, TLC has also maintained vital aftercare contact with discharged residents and their families.

"Liberty Healthcare, the TLC contract holders, recommends and enhanced aftercare service be established to further support clients in the challenges encountered particularly during the initial six months of release."

In a relatively short time, the TLC had seen 17 or 74 percent of the twenty-three successfully discharged residents moving into the community without relapsing into criminal activity.