Murdo has expressed his alarm at newly published data that shows almost 2,500 inmates at Perth Prison were found to be ‘under the influence’ of illegal drugs in just two years.
Shocking figures supplied by the Scottish Prison Service to the Scottish Conservatives through Freedom of Information shows that 1,197 inmates at Perth Prison were found under the influence of drugs in 2024, with 1,144 being found under the influence of drugs in 2025.
The data also shows that there was a total of 406 incidents where illicit substances were recovered at Perth Prison over 2024-2025. The list of these substances was detailed over 11 pages by the Scottish Prison Service and revealed an array of illegal drugs. These included: Spice; cocaine; heroin; etizolam (used for anxiety and insomnia); morphine, diclazepam (a recreational drug); cannabis; amphetamine; carfentanyl (an opioid); benzo (a psychoactive); ketamine; a host of different pills and tablets; numerous tampered vape capsules and THC (a psychoactive drug).
Commenting, Murdo said: “These damning statistics from the Scottish Prison Service are horrendous, and quite clearly show the problems faced by staff at Perth Prison in having to deal with such large quantities of illegal drugs found on inmates. The variety of illicit substances found in the prison in just two years is actually difficult to fathom. As is the number of inmates who were found to be under the influence of drugs – 2,341 in two years (2024 and 2025).
“It appears many inmates are desperate to get their hands on any illegal drug whilst in Perth Prison.”
Murdo continued: “The figures also show that these illicit substances must have been smuggled into the prison. I know Perth Prison has measures in place to search people before they are allowed to visit relatives or friends, but this shocking find demonstrates how prison authorities should look at other resources to tackle this problem, including the use of more sniffer dogs, better technology and more robust security.
“In addition, the Freedom of Information data highlights how this SNP Government have failed to deal with the drugs epidemic in Scotland’s prisons.”
