Visitors arrested over prison smuggling

Drugs found on visitors to HMP Northward, Feb 2016

(CNS): Two people have been arrested on suspicion of smuggling contraband into HMP Northward this weekend after they were found with a phone and drugs on a routine visit to inmates. Prison officials did not say whether or not the two visitors were visiting the prison together, nor did they specify the gender of the accused smugglers. They were searched by prison officers, who called the police when they found ganja and a cell phone. The visitors were detained and later arrested by officers from the Bodden Town Police Station. 

The officers seized some 5lbs of ganja and a Huawei smart phone. Prison Director Neil Lavis said he was pleased with the finds and proud of his officers and the weekend drugs as the local prison service like most jails around the world is battling with the challenge of dealing with prisoners who are dealing with serious drug and alcohol addictions and often incarcerated as a result of their drug dependency.

Director of Prisons Neil Lavis, who was pleased with the weekend finds, said, “I am very proud of my staff. They did a thorough job of inspecting and searching those entering the prison.” Putting the public on notice, he further emphasized, “When we find something we will prosecute to the full extent of the law.” 

According to the Prison Law, anyone found guilty of trafficking contraband into prison facilities faces steep penalties, including prison time.

“If members of the public take the risk of throwing items over the perimeter wall or smuggling items in to prisoners, they are making the decision to face serving time themselves,” Lavis stated in a release following the arrests.  “We are working very hard to stem the flow of cell phones, drugs and alcohol into the prisons but our efforts will only be successful with the cooperation from the community.”