26 February
The past two Prison Check Point searches at Spring Hill Corrections Facility saw 153 vehicles and 294 people being searched before entering the site, resulting in 3 arrests and 16 warnings being issued.
The Prison Check Points were set up on the road leading into the facility, and are designed to stop drugs and other contraband entering the site. Corrections Drug Dog teams, custodial staff and police work together to ensure that contraband is detected and people breaking the law are arrested.
Among the items intercepted already this year are bullets, methamphetamine, cannabis, knives, and alcohol.
“Unsurprisingly many prisoners have significant addiction related problems and are continually looking at ways to smuggle drugs into prison. However, stopping the supply of drugs is only part of the answer, and the Department also focuses on addressing prisoner demand. Six Drug Treatment Programmes are in place around the country, and we are working to double the number of places available,” says Assistant Regional Manager Northern Vicki Muir.
“Unfortunately, there are people in the community that are willing to help prisoners access drugs by trying to bring them with them into Corrections Facilities.”
“Prison Check Points are one of many measures we have in place to combat people trying to smuggle illegal material into our facilities. Vehicles are stopped entering the site, and both the vehicle and occupants are searched.”
“Any vehicles containing contraband or people carrying contraband are refused entry to the site, and when illegal items such as methamphetamine are located the person or people involved are detained until the police can come and arrest them,” says Ms Muir.
One find at a recent Check Point was a vehicle in which methamphetamine, cannabis, LSD, ammunition and drug utensils were found. The occupants of the vehicle were detained by Corrections Staff, and subsequently arrested by the Huntly Police.
“I am really pleased with these recent finds,” says Ms Muir. “Visitors trying to bring drugs into prisons are a major problem for the Department, and when our staff stop them in their tracks it is a major win for Corrections.”
“I hope that these examples deter people from attempting to bring drugs onto prison sites, and reinforce to them that attempts to introduce contraband to our facilities will not be tolerated.”
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