Ex-prisoner arrested at prison ‘should have known better’

An ex-prisoner back to pick up his belongings from Auckland Central Remand Prison after being held at the jail on remand could be on his way back into custody after being found in possession of a point bag containing a substance resembling methamphetamine.

“As part of our normal search procedures, staff emptied the bag the man was carrying. Inside they found the point bag, and the man confirmed that it contained methamphetamine. He had just the day before been granted bail and released from the prison,” says Acting Prison Manager Neville Mark.

“I don’t think in this instance that he was trying to smuggle drugs inside for other prisoners, but having just left our custody, he should have known better than to bring it onto prison property.”

“The man was detained by staff until the Police arrived to arrest him and remove the drugs, which could now be used as evidence against him if he is charged with their possession.”

It is well documented that drugs, especially methamphetamine, have an incredible strong hold over the lives of their users. Drug use, or addiction, is often a contributing factor in the crimes prisoners commit, with many taking drugs in the lead up to their offence.

“We work hard to reduce the demand for drugs in prison. Our staff encourage prisoners to use their time in prison to focus on getting clean and addressing the cause of their offending, and undertake treatment. We also work hard to reduce the supply of drugs into prisons through sophisticated intelligence gathering and the use of telephone monitoring technology,” says Mr Mark.

“ACRP and Mt Eden now share a ‘single point of entry’ meaning all staff, visitors and contractors enter the site through one point and have themselves and their possessions searched for contraband items using a metal detector and x-ray machine before they enter the secure zone of the prison. This brings our practices into line with the newer prison sites around the country.”

ENDS

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