South July 2016

News

downsail.co.uk Concern at prison drug abuse

INMATES at Maidstone prison are putting their lives at risk while they continue to abuse so-called legal highs, says an independent report. Areport by the IndependentMon-

itoring Board (IMB) into the state of HMP Maidstone - which covers the period until February 2016) - says use of the drug causes "considerable" disruption. Prisoners even use vulnerable in-

mates to test the side-effects of the psychoactive substances. MPHelen Grant, who is currently considering the detail of the report, conceded the issue of drug use is "crunchy" but some times more nu- anced than first meets the eye. The report states: "The continuing

abuse of SPICE, pictured below right, is of great concern to the Board andSMT. Lives are put at risk by unlooked-for consequences of taking different compounds. "Disruption to the prison regime is considerable, with particular pres- sure on the segregation unit. Legis- lation to criminalise possession of psychoactive substances will be wel- come. The board are pleased to re- port the retention of a drug detection dog after review. "The increasing use of SPICE and

other psychoactive substances is of great concern. There is evidence that

some prisoners may test the side ef- fects on vulnerable prisoners. "Normally compliant individuals

can become completely uncontrol- lable, creating risks for staff and other prisoners as well as them- selves.” The IMB report states that mobile phones, drugs and other banned items continue to get into the prison. It says: "Possession of mobile phones is also an ongoing challenge, exacerbated by the development of ever smaller and more sophisticated

be encouraged to report information received. CCTV and mobile detect- ing equipment would be cost effec- tive."

Maidstone Ukip councillor Simon

Ells said: “It is terrible they are using other prisoners as guinea pigs. There are obviously security issues there.” MP Mrs Grant said: “Justice Min-

devices. Mobile phones, drugs and other prohibited items continue to find theirway into the prison. Intel- ligence is effective but staff need to

Players pull in picnic crowd

THE inclement summer weather did not deter healthy audiences attending the LeedsAmateur Dra- matic Society (LADS) open-air Plays and Picnics event. Held at the Old Vicarage, owned by Alastair and Sarah Pol- lock, about 90 people enjoyed two performances on June 17 and 18. On Friday evening, it was time

for brollies at the ready but the weather stayed dry for the Satur- day performances. The first, Perilous Tales by Bar-

bara Hockley, gave Young LADS the chance to show off their acting skills. They comprised Maidstone Grammar pupil Angus Poulter, Sophie Aujard, of Leeds, and EmilyWallace and Joseph Irvine, both from Maidstone. They all had to fit in a schedule

of rehearsals and performances aroundAand A/S levels. Perilous Tales was directed by

Lesley Finlay, of Leeds,whoapol- ogised to their parents for inter- rupting their studies. The second playwas a comedy, Neighbourhood Watch by Liz Dobson, and starred Tina Chap- man and Jane Steele of Leeds, Adrian and Yvette Lovis, from Maidstone, Lesley Finlay and Lenham resident Mervyn Hughes.

22 Maidstone South July 2016 It was directed by Bearsted’s

David Hoxey and prompted by Bernie Hughes. Liz Dobson, who has family in Dartford, travelled from Sheffield to watch her play being per- formed in Leeds. LADS are always looking for

Angus Poulter, Sophie Aujard, EmilyWallace and Joseph Irvine and left, Yvette Lovis, Adrian Lovis, Mervyn Hughes, Jane Steele, Lesley Finlay and Tina Chapman

new talent and volunteers to help out on and off stage for the an- nual village panto and Plays and Picnics. If you think you can help out,

visit the LADS facebook page or drop a line to macfinlay03@btin- ternet.com.

isterAndrew SelousMPrecently in- dicated that SPICE had become a particular problem within prisons due to the inability to test for its pres- ence. He now feels however that re- centHomeOffice advances in testing meanthat this problem will bemuch easier to detect. I will be speaking to the governor personally to see if there is anything that can be done to stop the supply line for ‘legal highs’, and I will do everything I can to as- sist him with this.” The IMB report says the inmate population is “volatile in both tem- perament and turnover” with 39 dif- ferent languages spoken. It adds: “At the end of the report-

ing year, 24 different religious de- nominations included: 190 Muslims, 122 Christian, 161 Roman Catholics, 46mixed Orthodox.”

Court cases face delays

ANYONE expecting to have their day in court might have to wait a very long time. The backlog of cases at Maid-

stone Crown Court means defen- dants might have to wait up to 10 months to stand trial before a judge and jury.

Following the death of Judge

David Caddick and the retirement of Judge Michael Carroll, the courts, in Barker Road, are two judges down. Presently, thewaiting list of cases coming to trial is nearing 800. Canterbury’s presiding judge

AdeleWilliams is to move to Maid- stone, but not until September. She is entitled to hear the most serious of cases, including murder. However, while her fellow judges James O’Mahony and Heather Norton can hear at- tempted murder trials, no one else at Canterbury can preside over a murder case. This could mean all such cases

being taken in Maidstone which, it is feared, will further add to the backlog. The crown court has eight court-

rooms and seven judges, including resident judge Jeremy Carey.

Formore local news www.downsmail.co.uk

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