27 April
Christchurch Men’s Prison staff were horrified that a young boy was the latest tool to be used to bring drugs into the prison on Saturday.
“Our vigilant staff noticed the woman reach into the child’s pants, remove something and hide it in his jersey after she came through the prison’s entrance,” says Christchurch Men’s Prison Manager John Roper.
“We detained the woman and the four children with her under the Corrections Act and found a package with what appeared to be cannabis oil, pills and methamphetamine.
“Police were immediately contacted, they came to the site and arrested the woman.
“She was given the opportunity to organise childcare for the children before she was taken away by Police.
“It appears the visitor wanted to get this package to a prisoner. I’m pleased that our staff’s vigilance prevented that from happening. Any contraband has the potential to seriously compromise the safety and security of the prison site,” says Mr Roper.
“Very occasionally contraband does get through our gatehouse security – but that is not the only hurdle visitors have to get past. They are constantly monitored by staff to ensure that our prison remains safe.
“There is a high demand for drugs in prison, a large number of prisoners come to prison with drug and alcohol dependency and wish to continue that behaviour when in prison.
“Sadly these prisoners put a lot of pressure on their family and friends to aid them in their attempts to gain this contraband.
“The Department works constantly to prevent contraband entering our prisons. This includes the use of intelligence, regular searching, increased security and our drug dogs.
“Keeping contraband out through our security is one part of the equation to curb prisoner drug dependency.
“The other half is our drug rehabilitation through programmes such as our five Drug Treatment Units.”
ENDS
Note to reporter:
This is the third significant drug seizure at Christchurch Men’s Prison in the last month.
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