Tougher checks double contraband finds

The amount of contraband confiscated from prison visitors has more than doubled in the past three years, says the Corrections Department.

The "great result" was due to tougher detection measures, said national systems and security manager Karen Urwin.

"Increased surveillance at checkpoints and within prisons using drug dogs, television monitoring in visitor areas, scanning equipment and random searches has boosted contraband finds," she said.

The number of drug-dog teams has doubled since 2004 and last year the Government allocated a further $4.1 million over four years for crime and drug detection within prisons.

In total, 1509 items were confiscated from visitors to the department's 19 prisons in 2005, up from 698 in 2003.

Drugs and drug-related equipment accounts for the majority of goods seized at checkpoints, with 1061 items confiscated from visitors last year.

"In spite of tough penalties and a much greater chance of getting caught, people seem more determined than ever to get prohibited items into prisons, with 311 drug or drug-related-utensil confiscations from visitors in the first two months of 2006," Ms Urwin said.

The higher vigilance was having an impact, with fewer prisoners testing positive for drugs in random tests.

In the 2004-05 year, 17 per cent of more than 3000 random drug tests were positive, down from 25.5 per cent in 1988-89.

Cannabis remained the most frequently detected drug, although amphetamine-type drugs appeared to be on the rise, reflecting the trend in society at large.

The number of cellphones detected has risen four-fold since 2003, when 252 cellphones, chargers or SIM cards were confiscated from visitors or found on prison premises.

Last year the number rose to 1047.

Ms Urwin said anyone entering a prison - staff, contractors, suppliers and the general public - was subject to searches. "We take the smuggling of contraband very seriously as it impacts on the safety and security of the prison, staff and prisoners."

She urged people to use Corrections' anonymous free-phone number, 0800 JAIL SAFE, to share information.

- NZPA