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The number of prisoners taking hard drugs, particularly heroin, has increased by 80 per cent since mandatory testing began in jails, research suggests. The new Home Office figures, published yesterday in the British Medical Journal, provide the first evidence to support claims that inmates are switching from cannabis to hard drugs in an attempt to beat checks on drug taking. Inmates are reportedly changing their drug habits because cannabis can be detected in the blood for up to three week compared to heroin and cocaine which remains for about three days.

The Prison Service has set up an inquiry to establish whether the switch is taking place following the introduction of mandatory testing in all jails in England and Wales. A spokeswoman said yesterday that there was no evidence available yet to support the claims by prison officers, inmates and inspectors.