Calls have been made for tougher security measures at a top-security Scottish prison after figures showed it recorded more seizures of drugs, weapons and mobile phones than any other jail in the country last year.
Shotts prison in Lanarkshire saw 549 recoveries of drugs or illicit substances in the latest figures from the Scottish Prison Service, up from 459 in 2024. There were also 281 mobile phones seized, up from 253, and 131 weapons, up from 93.
Since 2023, there have been 1,475 drug seizures at the jail, along with 817 mobile phones and 318 weapons – more than any other of Scotland's 17 prisons.
Officers Suspended Over Smuggling Allegations
Last month, six Shotts prison officers were suspended after accusations that an organised crime group was smuggling illegal items such as drugs and phones into the prison.
Shotts houses some of Scotland's most dangerous criminals and underworld figures. Of its 538 inmates, 221 are serving life sentences for murder.
Scottish Labour justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill said: “The spotlight should be put on Shotts prison in the light of these revelations.
“Preventing drugs from entering our prison estate is of paramount importance, as is keeping the prison free of any weapons. Hard-working staff are being pushed to breaking point, and they are not being given the resources they need to get on top of things. This is the culmination of crises overseen by the SNP and their failure to seriously tackle the peddling of drugs in our communities, and to tackle the overcrowding in our prisons.”
Political Reaction and Security Concerns
Scottish Tories justice spokesman Stephen Kerr said: “Shotts prison is becoming a haven for drugs, weapons and mobile phones. Prison officers and inmates are being put at risk because basic security measures are clearly failing. This is what happens when ministers allow overcrowding and chaos to fester instead of dealing with the crisis head on. Enough is enough – the SNP must take back control of our prisons before someone is seriously hurt or killed.”
Last month, it was revealed that jails are at breaking point as staff battle to cope with the rising number of gang members behind bars. Around 660 prisoners in Scottish jails are thought to have associations with organised crime groups. The SPS has admitted playing “a daily game of chess” to keep rivals apart – moving them from jail to jail.
A large number of the inmates have links to the Lyons and Daniel crime families. Lyons allies are said to make up a large group in Shotts.
Staff Concerns and Smuggling Methods
Phil Fairlie, assistant general secretary of the Prison Officers Association Scotland, said: ”The numbers across the estate are a measure of what staff are up against in terms of dealing with the supply of drugs, phones, weapons into the prisons, and Shotts figures probably reflect that it has been a particular target by organised crime gang members in recent years.
“Shotts does house a significant number of individuals associated with organised crime and are very proactive. While each discovery is a measure of success by ever-vigilant staff that have stopped large numbers of these items entering the system, we also know there are still plenty getting through, and it is the staff again, who have to manage and suffer the consequences of the aftermath. While these numbers may alarm the public, I have to say they are not a surprise to those of us more closely involved in the prison service.
“Staff time being taken up just trying to do the basics each day, continues to put at risk their ability to get on top of the illicit supply of drugs phones and weapons into our prisons, and leaves them exposed and vulnerable to the very serious consequences of that. Right now, Shotts is a perfect example of what that looks like, and that should be a worry for everyone.”
Shotts is also the only jail in Scotland which deals with prisoners on sentences of four years or more. In 2023, Shotts prison officer Heather McKenzie was sentenced to six years for smuggling cocaine and a mobile phone into the jail for a prisoner. Shotts has housed some of Scotland's most notorious criminals including Daniel ally Raymond Anderson, who is serving life for the murder of Michael Lyons in 2006.
Ex-Police Scotland superintendent Martin Gallagher said: “The Scottish Prison Service has to be allowed to bring in more stringent measures to control facilities than they have now. If this doesn't happen I've genuine concerns for future violence and disorder. Our prisons are far less controlled environments than in the past and far too many items such as drugs and phones get in.
“On top of this, the feud between the Lyons and Daniel factions has put many bitter rivals away for significant sentences. These prisoners, on top of a less controlled environment, have the potential to become a powder keg.”
Narcotics smuggled into prisons can range from cocaine, cannabis and heroin to powerful synthetic drugs. In late 2021, Scottish prisons introduced rules requiring all mail to be photocopied, because researchers had identified drugs soaked into letters and mail. Inmates would then roll the paper like a cigarette and smoke it.
Drones are also being used on a weekly basis to get packages carrying drugs, weapons and mobile phones worth up to £10,000 into jails including Shotts. As a result, anti-drone grilles have been fitted over windows at a number of prisons. Screwdrivers, ceramic blades, and Stanley knives are among weapons which have been smuggled by drone. Prison staff have also found a cycle spanner and wifi modems, along with tobacco, vapes, testosterone and steroids.
A total of 65 drones were detected within the grounds of eight Scottish prisons in 2024, up from just two in 2019.
A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: “Any attempt to bring illicit substances into our establishments, including by a drone, poses a significant threat to the health and safety of those in our care.
“Our staff work hard to keep our establishments safe and secure, using all technological and intelligence tools which are available to prevent this wherever possible. We continue to work with Police Scotland, and other partners, to take action against those who attempt to breach our security.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "We support the Scottish Prison Service (SPS)’s hard work to prevent illicit items reaching prisons. SPS uses a range of technology and intelligence to do this and continues to work to identify further detection measures. As has been demonstrated, SPS is vigilant to any potential corruption and will take swift action when concerns arise.”
