Jail Visitors Scrutinised
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday June 6, 2007
A WOMAN was allegedly found with seven syringes, almost two grams of cannabis, drug powder and a can of whisky and cola as she attempted to visit a Cessnock jail inmate.
The woman was one of 326 visitors searched after attending the Cessnock Correctional Facility in what has been described as a statewide crackdown on seven jails.The NSW Department of Corrective Services said four people were charged with drug-related offences and 14 ordered off prison grounds at Cessnock following the searches last weekend.It is alleged that another woman had a tin with one gram of cannabis hidden down her pants.A man allegedly had 1.1 grams of cannabis in a car while another man had several syringes in a "fit kit" in his vehicle.A department spokesman said another 10 people were ordered off the grounds."Most of them had been singled out by drug detector dogs indicating they had been in contact with an illegal substance before arriving in prison," the spokesman said.About 1000 visitors were searched at seven regional and metropolitan prisons with almost 60 people being refused entry and at least 10 charged for various offences.The spokesman said more than 700 visitors were banned each year for bringing drugs into prisons and more than 300 had already been banned this year."There is a strong demand for contraband in correctional centres and prison staff will continue to be alert to visitors trying to bring drugs, weapons and mobile phones on to jail property," Assistant Commissioner for security Don Rodgers said.
© 2007 Newcastle Herald
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