Dogs, Drugs and Rock'n'Roll
Dogs, Drugs and Rock'n'Roll
Corrections’ Operational Intelligence and a drug dog handler have worked together to disrupt prisoners’ attempts to introduce drugs via stereos.
Phone calls monitored by the Prisoner Telephone Monitoring System (PTMS) indicated that at least three prisoners at Rimutaka Prison were involved in conspiring to introduce stereos packed with cannabis into the Prison.
“One of the prisoners involved attempted to send a stereo out to someone he claimed was his cousin, so that she could send it back in for another prisoner in his wing. Inspection of this stereo located a detailed letter concealed inside which requested that the stereo be resent to the Prison after being packed with cannabis and a cell phone,” says Assistant Prison Manager Richard Symonds.
“Monitored calls provided further information as to the involvement of other prisoners in the plot, as well as the contacts they were using from outside the wire to assist them.”
Not long after this incident, a visitor arrived at the gatehouse to drop off a stereo and other property for another prisoner. The drug dog indicated narcotic odour on this stereo and it was pulled apart and x-rayed by the property officer. Police were present as witnesses and although no drugs were found, they spoke to the visitor and warned them about bringing contraband into the Prison.
The prisoner has since made another attempt to get the drugs into the prison via a stereo by formally disposing of his old stereo, and then making a property request for a replacement stereo to be brought in. The property officer and drug dog handler have been notified, and any attempt will be thwarted.
"Monitoring prisoner phone calls is key to maintaining security at our prison. Prisoners are fully aware that their calls can be monitored, there is no excuse for them attempting to conduct illegal or dishonest behaviour from within prison," says Symonds.
“Information provided by the Operational Intelligence team enables prisons to make decisions and change operations to prevent crime. This work improves the safety of the public by preventing offenders committing crime from within prison.”
ENDS