20 May
Vigilant corrections officers can be praised once again for stopping cannabis entering Manawatu Prison.
After a visits session last week staff noticed a prisoner was concealing a small object in his hand. Staff were quick to approach the prisoner and request the object be handed over. On inspection the object turned out to be two cannabis oil capsules wrapped in insulation tape.
“On handing over the package the prisoner denied knowing what the package contained. He had just received a visit from family members, and while we don’t know for sure if they were responsible for bringing the contraband in you would hope that your family would be the last people supplying you with illegal drugs while in prison,” says Manawatu Prison Manager Peter Howe.
“We are well aware that members of the public can sometimes come under intense pressure to try and smuggle drugs into prison for their family or friends. However we have a number of measures in place to stop drugs and other contraband entering the Prison. This includes visitor searches, vehicle checkpoints, the use of drug detector dogs and monitoring during visits by staff and cameras. The risk you will get caught just isn’t worth it.
“I am very proud of the work done by our staff to stop these drugs getting in. We get on average 20-30 visitors during these sessions so staff vigilance is vital in monitoring prisoners and their visitors to ensure no contraband enters the prison.
“Nationally, random prisoner positive drug tests are sitting at 11 percent, today’s find is one of the ways we are achieving this. Drug use in our prisons will not be tolerated.”
For further information contact the Communications Services Desk:
Copyright © Department of Corrections | Feedback and queries email: webmaster@corrections.govt.nz