14 October
Three ex-prisoners have found themselves in trouble with Police after they were sprung at a prison checkpoint at the Otago Corrections Facility carrying drugs and weapons.
“This example shows that even ex-prisoners who are well aware that we conduct these checks on prison visitors will try and bring drugs onto the premises,” says Acting Prison Manager Stu Davie.
Staff at the Otago Corrections Facility stopped the three men who had come to collect a prisoner being released and searched their vehicle. They found drug paraphernalia, various potential weapons, electronic scales and a container of zip locks bags with cannabis remnants, as well as a bottle containing two different types of pills.
The three men were detained until Police arrived. One was arrested immediately and the other two were escorted off the property for further questioning by Police.
“There are a number of measures in place to stop drugs and other contraband entering prisons. This includes visitor searches, vehicle checkpoints, the use of drug detector dogs and monitoring during visits by staff and cameras.
“Prison checkpoints (PCPs) are set up on the road leading into the facility, and are conducted regularly by every prison around the country. Sometimes a drug dog will give an indication of drugs in a vehicle, sometimes we find the items through good old fashioned searching.”
Mr Davie says there is zero tolerance for contraband like drugs and weapons making their way into prison grounds.
“It is unacceptable and the exact reason why we continue to be vigilant in our searches and our general screening of visitors, contractors, and staff.
“Every single person entering the prison goes through the same security process and we will not hesitate to take action against people naive enough to think that they will get away with it. Our staff work incredibly hard to stop the flow of contraband so it is always a good result for us when we intercept attempts like this one,” Mr Davie says.
For further information contact the Communications Services Desk:
Copyright © Department of Corrections | Feedback and queries email: webmaster@corrections.govt.nz