Smuggling taking place in prison

PRISONS COMMISSIONER John Rougier said yesterday that he suspects prisons officers may be involved in smuggling drugs, cell phones and other items into the prison. He added, however, that most of the smuggled items were brought in by inmates who obtain illicit items when they leave the prison to attend court. Rougier confirmed that six cell phones were seized Friday, during an exercise at the Port-of-Spain prison. He said the discovery of cell phones is nothing new because prisoners find innovative means of smuggling items into the prison.

He said prisoners often return to the prison from court with illegal drugs concealed in body cavities and although thorough checks are carried out, some prisoners are cleverly able to ensure that the smuggled items are undetected. Informed sources told Sunday Newsday cell phones are rented to prisoners. The rental charges for calls are paid by relatives of the inmates. Death Row inmates are able to talk with relatives twice a week, once the money is paid up front. On Friday, Commissioner Rougier, 100 prisons officers and the police were involved in a mock exercise at the Port-of-Spain Prison.

During the exercise,  prisons officers searched several cells and discovered the cell phones, which are now in the hands of the police. Rougier said every effort is being made to eradicate smuggling and more searches are being carried out. “We  are not exonerating officers but we feel the major problem comes about when prisoners attend court and their families are able to infiltrate the system and smuggle cash, drugs, phones and even weapons to inmates,” he said, adding that the three-hour lock down of the prison on Friday had the desired results.