Drugs in Prisons

[Artie]

What drug problems do you have in your prisons?

Drug-taking rife among inmates

Tasmanian Murcury
By MARTINE HALEY
22jun01

MORE than 40 per cent of Risdon Prison inmates tested for taking drugs were found to be positive, a damming Ombudsman's report into the management of the jail has found.

Drugs such as Rohypnol, cannabis, opiates and Methadone were readily available within the prison.

And some prison guards, inmates' friends and families were implicated in the trafficking of illegal drugs.

The Ombudsman's report, released yesterday was in response to five deaths in custody and a series of escapes and riots. It looked at prison management between September 1999 and May 2000.

Acting Ombudsman Jan O'Grady concluded the prison hospital was inhumane, security was lax, disciplinary procedures for prison staff inappropriate and occupational, health and safety standards at the jail were not being met.

Mrs O'Grady made 150 recommendations, many of them already acted on or planned following the Coroner's report into the five deaths in custody.

The report found search procedures were inadequate, and suggested some officers were reluctant to search more difficult inmates because it would involve physical or verbal abuse.

Mrs O'Grady said during her investigation, 204 inmates were tested for drugs, with 86, or 42 per cent, giving a positive reading.

She said creative ways were being found to bring in drugs, including:

Drugs were contained in balls and thrown over the perimeter fence.

They were hidden in the grounds outside the fence and retrieved by minimum-security prisoners.

They were passed from visitor to inmate by kissing.

Drugs were hidden in condoms and swallowed.

Mrs O'Grady said a prisoner code of silence made it difficult for officers to obtain information from inmates about drugs.

However, she said interstate studies found drugs were taken into jails by civilian workers, in deliveries, by inmates and corrupt staff.

"It is not uncommon for officers (in other states) or other staff to be responsible for bringing drugs into prison," Mrs O'Grady said.

"A number of reasons can contribute to this, including threats to the officer or members of his/her family, unwise conduct by officers which has been observed by inmates and resulted in blackmail practices, officers befriending inmates and thereby losing their objectivity or simply officers undertaking criminal acts for gain."


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We are the Police! Resistance is Futile!

[wonderwoman]

I think I need a joint first before I answer this!!! http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif

P.S. I don't inhale

[JKT]

Originally posted by wonderwoman:
I think I need a joint first before I answer this!!! http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif

P.S. I don't inhale

Uh huh, sssuuuuurrrre http://www.officer.com/ubb/wink.gif


We find a little cocaine, a little MJ on occasion, and sometimes they hoard prescription drugs and take larger than recommended amounts of them.

The weirdest one we had was a small group that were hoarding acetaminophen, crushing them and then snorting the powder. They said the high was close to that of cocaine.

I won't go into the specifics on how the drugs are being introduced into our facility on a public forum, but they are very, very clever. http://www.officer.com/ubb/wink.gif

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Optimistic pessimist: Hope for the best, but expect the worst.

Jack

JKT@guardroom.com

[wonderwoman]

Think Arthur and you will be able to know at least one place where they hide them.......

Heres a hint.... "Men sometimes act like an ***"?????

JUST KIDDING EVERYONE!!!! http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Artie]

WW, and I thought your body was pure. I am sooooooo disappointed. LOL

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We are the Police! Resistance is Futile!

[wonderwoman]

I said I didn't inhale!!

[Artie]

Yeah, you and Clinton.

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We are the Police! Resistance is Futile!

[Artie]

Guards reject drug searches

Tasmanian Murcury
23jun01

RISDON Prison guards yesterday rejected calls for them to be routinely and randomly searched for drugs, saying it could lead to victimisation and bastardisation.

Tasmanian Correctional Officers Association secretary Scott Munday said there was no justification for random searches "which would lead to every second officer being strip-searched".

His comments followed the Ombudsman's report after an investigation of management practices at the Risdon Prison and hospital.

Acting Ombudsman Jan O'Grady called for an overhaul of search and security procedures, the prison hospital and forensic mental health services.

In all, 150 recommendations were made. Many of them have already been implemented or planned as a result of the coroner's report into five deaths in custody.

Attorney-General Peter Patmore yesterday announced virtually all recommendations would be accepted. However, in some cases they may not be implemented until a new prison is due to be built, in 2007.

Mr Munday said under current protocols, bags were routinely checked when guards arrived for work and metal detectors were used.

"We understand the new management is trying to clean up the prison system and we support that," Mr Munday said.

"The only issue we won't support is routine and random strip-searches.

"We are in positions to maintain safety and if they are not willing to trust us, there is a problem."

Mr Munday said the association supported strip-searches only when there was "unbiased evidence and not just the word of a prisoner".

"If they want an officer to strip, the evidence better be very good," he said.

"It's the nature of the place. Unfounded allegations come forward."

Mr Munday said it was very rare for officers to be involved in trafficking drugs in the jail.

"There are a lot easier avenues for prisoners to get drugs than trying to corrupt staff," he said.

While strip-searches have not be ruled out in some circumstances, it is understood the new search protocol will not require them as a matter of routine.




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We are the Police! Resistance is Futile!

[wonderwoman]

That is disgusting!!! There is obviously a trust problem and some major issues with officers suspected of bringing in drugs... I am not a C.O. but God help anyone who ever tried to strip search me for that...
I'll break his nose, rip his clothes and peel his face off!!! http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif

OOPs, maybe that sounded to aggressive and thats not womanly... maybe take the "peel his face off" part away....

[SpecOpsWarrior]

WonderWoman please dont take offense to this as it is not being directed at you. Even though you are in management. http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif

It sounds like some bone head in the prison administration has lost his (and I say his because I dont think any woman would have thought of this) mind!

Obviously there is a drug problem in Aussie prisons, but strip searching every other guard is not the answer, besides being a huge invasion of a persons right to privacy, this would do nothing but make the problem worse, because there will be a mass exodus of prison officers. Which will lead to staff shortages, which in turn will have a detrimental effect on prison security.

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specopswarrior@guardroom.com

[Artie]

I don't believe that random strip searching is the answer. However, searching of prison officers after receiving sufficient intelligence is another matter.

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We are the Police! Resistance is Futile!

[JKT]

I agree, Artie, the Officers we have had that were suspected of bringing in drugs were actually arrested away from the facility. They were caught on a sting, where they were buying the supply to bring in. The last one was still in uniform when he made the buy!!

There needs to be some way of screening these people out, but, unfortunately a crystal ball is not reliable. You never really know who will turn to this and why.

Makes everyone in the business look bad.

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Optimistic pessimist: Hope for the best, but expect the worst.

Jack

JKT@guardroom.com

[gazza]

in victoria that legaslation allready exists

for sure there is bent prison officers as well as bent coppers one of the best drug turns we had was dropped by some coppers if i metioned the case the crims where in you would peg it for sure artie we all have visitors bringing drugs in and if any one says a prison is drug free ill die laughinghow many places to hid stuff on the human body, pills, smoke,powders ,syringes,christ years ago we had a crim who wanted attention and shoved most of a type writers keys up his bum (every time he sat down he could type a letter) so drugs in prisons ive done 16 years in prisons and when im gone the drugs will still be there for a lot longer time than me as long as money or favours are involved it will never end besides that i think a lot of depts are to scared to do a massive crackdown on it

[Artie]

gazza,
It is an unfortunate thing that I have to agree with you. There will always be corrupt coppers and corrupt guards. But the good thing is that they are in the minority.



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We are the Police! Resistance is Futile!

[wonderwoman]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SpecOpsWarrior:
WonderWoman please dont take offense to this as it is not being directed at you. Even though you are in management. http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hey, I spend my whole life trying to defend managment and administration because I have been on both sides and can see it from both sides. However, I am also very much aware there are many bad ones that cause alot of heartache for staff!

I know sometimes I take it personally but I have to agree in this situation this is not the way to address the situation or to deal with the obvious labour issues!!

[Tackleberry]

I am all for random pat searches, searching of bags and random **** tests. I will do any or all when ever asked. I will however never submit to a strip search, job or not. If it came down to a direct order I would respectfully take off my badge, hand it to them and leave. No one period is strip searching me. I do understand prison is an exception to the rule as far as 4th amendment rights are concerned and the need for frequent searches. I must say although we have a problem with drugs in our prison, we just had a 12 year veteran busted 2 weeks ago for distribution, we are never searched without PC by our admin. Even though they don't need PC they just never search us without it, period! In defense of admin. when they did have PC it was found to be true. Our union has alot to do with this stance since if they started doing that we'd be up in arms. In fact we don't even get **** tested unless there is serious evidence that someone is using. At our last contract negotiations our admin., brought up the stance on wanting to randomly test all for drugs. We said no problem as long as admin., agrees to do the same. They declined and so did we! What's good for the goose is good for the gander! Prison's will always have corrupt officers and drugs. Where there is money to be made it will happen. A prime example was the guy I just mentioned to you. Big family man, primary breadwinner, veteran officer, top pay, days off, vaction etc... Caught selling drugs in the prison. The man was caught in a sting, ratted out etc... We knew this guy was a little bad. We were aware he was selling cigarettes for years and told admin., about it. Never did admin., ever really do anything to this guy so we thought. We found out he was being watched for years by the DA. The DA wanted something more solid then cigarettes. That time came 2 weeks ago. Was at work and called down to the wardens office. Placed under arrest and walked out through the lobby in cuffs and uniform, minus badge, insignia, duty belt. 6hrs. later brought back to the jail but this time as an inmate. Front page of paper in full uniform at the DJ's office. The police did have some respect for us and ordered him to take off his uniform shirt. He was brought in with a white t-shirt on. We 7x'd him to another facility.Charged with Contraband, Official Misconduct, PWI&D. Had $75,000.00 straight bail. Luckily for him he'd done bounty hunter work for a good friend and bail bondsman who got him out the next day. The guy is in total denial of whats going on. Actually called the union president and asked if the charges got dropped down to just bringing in tobacco could they fight and get his job back? Union said worry about staying out of jail first and forget about your job it's history! Just to show how stupid this guy is and how in denial he is here is what he did...talked with investigators about the drugs and said he had a drug problem...took the investigators willingly to his house and to his drug stash!! Subsequently was re-arrested this week on new charges, go figure! Said if he proved to them he had a drug problem he thought he'd only get probation. Although this would be true for an officer who used drugs but didn't bring them in, this is entirely different since he was selling and got busted. He's looking for an easy way out but he can look at 10years if he's lucky. I even liked the guy but he has to go and I don't feel sorry for him. I really feel for his wife and kids though!

Peace!

Tac
1*

[Artie]

Tackleberry,
I don't feel sorry for him either.


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We are the Police! Resistance is Futile!

[gazza]

one can never tell tac never feel sorry for some one like him no matter how close, he is the one who puts you in heat when some wankers of his head he got his dollars so stuff you, yes his family i feel for same as you, he must have hidden it well for all these years if his missus didnt know or she was blind any way watch your back tac http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif

[wonderwoman]

Tac,

I would have no sympathy for that officer either. Its the drugs that are brought in that can cause the disturbances that can cause others to get hurt.

In the province where I come from there is no provision for any drug testing or strip searching of staff.

If there is suspision of drugs them the Administration links with the police to do a sting type operation.

I would think there is very little, if any, support from officers towards someone who brings in drugs. Its just to dangerous and shows a coward who didn't have the guts to say NO to a criminal.