Prisons have achieved considerable success in reducing the level of drug misuse against a background of continuing high demand for drugs. Drug misuse as measured by random mandatory drug testing has fallen 63 per cent. since 1996-97, from 24.4 per cent. to 9.1 per cent. in 2007-08.
A single episode of drug misuse over a defined period, strictly interpreted, would deprive a prison of drug free status. Over the 2007-08 financial year, two prisons reported no drug misuse, as measured by random mandatory drug testing.
On average, 29 prisons reported no drug misuse during any one month of the 2007-08 financial year.