30 July
Thorough searching and staff professionalism is being credited for capturing a visitor with a sizeable quantity of cannabis at the Invercargill Prison gatehouse on Tuesday 28 July.
Invercargill Prison Manager Stu Davie said it was a real team effort that led to this seizure.
“Our Intelligence team became aware that some contraband may be coming to the prison and acted quickly to intercept it before there was any chance it was introduced into the prison.
“The prison’s drug dog at the prison entrance and was in place to search the afternoon’s visitors. We also worked with Police, so that they were available to arrest any offenders.
“A female visitor came to the prison and the drug dog indicated immediately that it detected contraband on the visitor. She was taken aside by our staff and interviewed, where she admitted that she had hidden some drugs internally.
“She had secreted approximately half an ounce of cannabis in a condom that she intended to give to a prisoner during a visit.
“Police arrested the woman and took her from the site. She is likely to face charges and will certainly be banned from Invercargill Prison for some time.
“Let me make it clear – we don’t just search visitors when the Intelligence Team hears something – searches are carried out every week by our staff.
"We have stopped all kinds of attempts at bringing contraband into the prison, if you try you will get caught and you will face the consequences.
“I’d like to congratulate all of my staff this was a great result and an example of the teamwork and cooperation they display every day.
The Department works constantly to keep contraband out or prisons. Contraband can seriously affect the safety and security of the prison placing the public, staff and prisoners at risk.
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Note to reporter: