Contraband in prisons
The safety and security of our prisons, staff, visitors and the people we manage is paramount. We place significant emphasis on preventing and detecting contraband in prisons, and we are constantly working to stay one step ahead of new methods used to introduce contraband.
Some people go to extreme and elaborate lengths to introduce contraband into prison. Contraband may be concealed on a person's body when they come into the prison, posted in with mail or property, thrown over perimeter fencing, or smuggled into the prison by visitors. Sometimes the people we manage place a significant amount of pressure on their partners, friends, or associates to risk attempting to bring contraband into prison for them.
Methods we use to prevent contraband from entering our prisons include:
- searches of vehicles and people entering prisons
- using scanners and x-ray machines at entry points
- extensive prison perimeter security
- camera surveillance in prison visit rooms, along perimeter fences and at entry points
- requiring prisoners to wear closed overalls when in visiting areas to prevent contraband being hidden on them
- checking prisoner mail and property for contraband
- monitoring prisoner communications, including phone calls
- specialist detector dog teams that that detect drugs, and other items not permitted within prisons including cell phones
- banning visitors who attempt to bring contraband into prisons
When a person in prison is found to be in possession of contraband, they can be charged with an internal misconduct and, depending on the type of item found, are referred to the New Zealand Police who are responsible for laying criminal charges. If a visitor is found to be in possession of contraband, they can be issued with a notice prohibiting the person from entering prison grounds for a specified timeframe. Depending on the type of contraband, this could be escalated to the New Zealand Police.
Data set for contraband in prison – national and by prison
Data for contraband in prisons for the 2024/25 financial year is available to view below. The reported results are provisional and subject to change until the year-end process has been completed.
Contraband in prisons includes alcohol, communication devices, drugs, drug paraphernalia, tattoo equipment, tobacco, tobacco paraphernalia, weapons, and other miscellaneous items that people in prison could use in inappropriate ways. Refer to the data set for specific definitions of contraband categories.
This data includes contraband items confiscated from prisoners or visitors, and any items found on prison property but not directly linked to an individual. Where multiple items are found in a single search, they are reported as a single incident if they all fall within the same category. Alternatively, if contraband from different categories is found, these are reported as an incident under each relevant category.
There are fluctuations in the amount of contraband seized at sites, and there is not one clear reason for this. Factors that can influence the amount of contraband seized at sites include site access, the physical location of sites, and the number of prisoners undertaking external employment either through our Release to Work programmes or external work parties.
For the 2024/25 financial year, there were 9,487 incidents involving contraband finds.