23 September
Corrections staff can be praised for stopping a covert attempt to get drugs and a cellphone into Manawatu Prison this week.
Attentive corrections staff observed a vehicle drive past the prison and drop off a passenger who proceeded to walk around the external perimeter. Staff contacted the Police who arrived and apprehended the person who was identified by prison staff as an ex-prisoner who had been recently released.
The prison drug dog and handler searched the area early the following morning which resulted in 30 grams of cannabis leaf, 16 caps of cannabis oil, 10 grams of magic mushrooms and a cellphone and charger being found on the roof of a storage shed wrapped up in a sock.
“The demand for drugs in prison is high and unfortunately prisoners can and do put pressure on people to smuggle contraband in for them. "It was obvious from the way it was packaged that it was intended to be thrown over the perimeter fence for later retrieval by prisoners.
"Staff vigilance is vital in monitoring not only our prisoners and visitors but also activity outside the prison perimeter.
"The message from this incident is clear to both prisoners attempting to get contraband bought into them, and members of the public who try to bring it in. "We will find it, we will refer the matter to the Police, and you will get caught and face the consequences,” says Manawatu Prison Manager, Peter Howe.
“Manawatu Prison was one of the first prisons in New Zealand to install cellphone blocking technology in 2008 and the Department is continually upgrading this technology to ensure that as the networks advance our blocking capability keeps up. All evidence has been handed over to the Police who are continuing with their enquiries.”
“Nationally, random prisoner positive drug tests are sitting at an all time low and today’s find is one of the ways we are achieving this. Drug use in our prisons will not be tolerated.”
Notes to Editors
Nationally positive random drug tests are sitting at 10.5% and is the lowest since drug tests began in 1998. Please see http://www.corrections.govt.nz/news-and-publications/media-releases/2009-media-releases/positive-drug-tests-on-a-downer.html for more information.
For further information contact the Communications Services Desk:
• Phone: (04) 460 3365
• Email: commdesk@corrections.govt.nz