Two fifths of inmates find it "easy" to get illegal drugs at an open prison, a new report has revealed. The inspection report found the most popular substance at HMP Sudbury was cannabis.
HM Inspectorate of Prisons found oral and injected anabolic steroids were also a problem at the men's jail. But the report acknowledged those who injected steroids could dispose of needles in sharps bins at the facility.
The prisons watchdog said the availability of drugs and mobile phones were "the major security challenge" at HMP Sudbury. Overall, inspectors concluded that the prison was offering good support to help rehabilitate the men it held.
They also found the number of prisoners absconding from the jail had reduced by 50 per cent since the last inspection in 2013.
It comes as a court heard a was told a drug-dealing robber fled the jai; because he was concerned about the "drugs culture" at Sudbury.
Michael Ford, 24, went on the run for two-and-a-half months in May after fleeing through a hole in the fence. He had been locked up for eight years and 10 months in 2014 after carrying out a 10-week reign of terror.
But Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Ford fled the open prison because he was concerned about the "drug culture" there. His barrister told the court Ford found himself embroiled in the drug culture there and was tempted by unhealthy substances.
