5 May
Some prisoners will do anything to get drugs inside and this was the case this week when a new prisoner was caught with a significant amount of cannabis and some pills secured on his genitals when he was received into New Plymouth Prison.
While the new prisoner was being routinely strip searched on arrival at the Prison, staff noticed a blue band around the end of his penis. The prisoner was instructed to remove it and he then handed over around an ounce of cannabis and some yet unidentified pills that were being secured with the band.
“The prisoner had obviously tried to prepare himself for coming inside and thought that by hiding the drugs in this way he might just have a chance of getting them in. However, our staff did a fantastic job in finding these drugs and the prisoner will now face Police charges,” says New Plymouth Prison Manager Peter Madsen.
“What is even more bold about this move is that the prisoner has been inside before and was well aware we undertake strip searches on new prisoners as part of their reception. This only goes to show that some prisoners will and do try to get drugs in even if it means further charges and a potential longer stay inside.
“I am proud of the efforts of my staff in finding these drugs and stopping them from coming inside and being taken or distributed by this prisoner. I hope that this incident acts as a deterrent to other people considering trying to bring contraband into our Prisons, we will find it and you will face the full consequences of your illegal actions.”
“Nationally positive random drug tests are sitting at an all time low of 10 percent – the lowest they have ever been and vigilance like this is one of the ways we are achieving this.”
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