14 October
Corrections staff have once again been successful at stopping prisoners introducing drugs and contraband into Wanganui Prison thanks to the on-going success of the Prisoner Telephone Monitoring System (PTMS).
“Information gathered via phone monitoring recently resulted in a planned drug “throw-over” being foiled. The prisoner’s plans were intercepted when it was revealed that he intended to introduce cannabis into the Prison by utilising outside associates to throw packages of cannabis into the prison grounds,” says Prison Manager Hati Kaiwai.
“The information was passed onto the prison management by the operational intelligence unit who took action including moving the prisoner, subsequently stopping the planned throw-over and thwarting any planned criminal activity.
“Unfortunately some criminals don’t stop their offending behaviour when they are sentenced to prison. Sadly, they can be strongly motivated by profit, greed, addictions and for some it is an ingrained way of life.
“Whilst we can’t stop determined criminals from conspiring to undertake criminal activities, we can stop them from putting their plans into practice and that’s the first step to changing their behaviour.
“Corrections has numerous ways to stop such activities before they happen such as the PTMS, CCTV cameras, departmental intelligence operations, and tight security perimeters which are patrolled by corrections officers.
“This recent success is just one instance of many that prove that phone monitoring can work very effectively. By helping stop drugs entering prisons the Department’s work significantly contributes to keeping the public safe,” says Mr Kaiwai.
Notes to editors regarding PTMS:
The Prisoner Telephone Monitoring System was first introduced in 2007 with the purpose of increasing public safety by making it easier to prevent, discourage, detect, investigate and prosecute offences that involve prisoners.
It is an important part of ensuring prisoners are not committing or organising criminal activities from within prison. Legislative authority for the Department to monitor prisoners’ telephone calls is provided under section 113 of the Corrections Act 2004.
Information gathered can be shared with the New Zealand Police and has contributed to a number of arrests (of prisoners, visitors, members of the community) for a variety of offences. It has also resulted in several exclusions of visitors and the discovery of drugs and other contraband.
For further information contact the Communications Services Desk:
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