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More than a quarter of inmates being released from Perth Prison test positive for illegal substances, a report has revealed.Chief Inspector of Prisons Brigadier Hugh Munro said at 28%, the figure was "far too high" and suggested drugs were being smuggled into the jail.
Despite the criticism, he said the jail was "well led" and praised relations between staff and inmates.
Brig Munro also said a major building programme at the jail was well-managed.
His inspection found that improvements to prison food at the point of serving were needed, along with the laundry service and support for non-English speaking inmates.
He expressed concern that prisoners leaving the jail early to go to court did not always receive a proper breakfast or have the opportunity to shower.
In some cases, he said such inmates were not being given prescribed medication and that conditions at Perth and Dundee Sheriff Courts were poor.
'Dirty' and 'unkempt'
He said: "The overall inspection of Perth concludes that it is a very well led and managed prison."
He added: "This is a positive report and I have been impressed by so many areas of good practice, particularly given all of the disruption caused by the building works."
But citing the 28% of inmates who leave the jail under the influence of illegal substances, Brig Munro said: "This figure suggests, amongst other things, that illegal drugs are being smuggled into Perth prison and this is a cause for concern."
He also criticised conditions for young offenders being housed at the recently mothballed Friarton Hall, an annexe located about a mile from the prison's main building.
He said: "It seemed to me that the positive effects of strong leadership, so evident in the main prison, were less obvious at Friarton with the result that we found a less well-managed unit."
He said the problems could have been caused by a lack of certainty surrounding the future of the hall but added: "Friarton was dirty, unkempt and run down.
"It needed to be completely refurbished.
"On the other hand I was impressed by the standard of the external work placements available to some of the young offenders."This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.