DRUGS WARNING ISSUED AT QUEENSLAND JAILS
Published Sunday, 29 October, 2006 at 12:00 AM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence has repeated warnings to people against smuggling drugs into the state’s jails, following the recent discovery of an elaborate attempt to secrete syringes and tablets into a south-east Queensland prison.
Ms Spence said officers at the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre at Wacol this month found four syringes and 18 tablets inside a pair of shoes being worn by a prisoner.
“The items appeared to have been professionally sewn into the tongue and sides of the shoes,” Ms Spence said.
“Tests are currently being run on the tablets to determine their exact nature.”
Ms Spence said the find came amid several contraband operations which were run at Queensland correctional centres this month, which led to 11 visitors charged with 38 offences.
Ms Spence said the operations were held over Saturday and Sunday October 7th and 8th and targeted visitors to the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre, the Wolston Correctional Centre and the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre.
Visitors to all three centres were intercepted and Passive Alert Drug Detection dogs and Active dogs were used to screen all visitors and their cars.
Ms Spence said the October contraband crackdown led to charges including:
• traffic and driving offences;
• drug possession;
• possession of drug utensils;
• displaying false number plates.
Ms Spence said property seized included cannabis, methylamphetamine and a crack pipe.
Ms Spence said the operations involved Corrective Services Investigation Unit officers, the Oxley Tactical Crime Squad, the Queensland Corrective Services Dog Squad and intelligence officers based at all centres.
“These operations should serve as a reminder to everyone that if you attempt to smuggle drugs or other contraband into our prisons, you will be caught and run the risk of ending up behind bars yourself,” Ms Spence said.
“Last year regular and random contraband operations within Queensland jails led to 528 charges being laid against 415 people, including both prisoners and visitors.
“Queensland prisons have state-of-the-art electronic devices to detect the presence of drugs.
“Visitors should understand that they do not have to be carrying drugs to be detected.
“The scanners and the dogs can pick up miniscule particles or even smoke residue.
“The scanners can even tell prison authorities which drug is detected.”
Ms Spence said visitors who are on medication should carry the prescription or a doctor’s note to verify their medical need for the drugs.
"This type of targeted operation will continue to happen anywhere, anytime as part of this government's strategy to crack down on drugs in Queensland prisons,” Ms Spence said.
“People might complain about the level of security on visitors, but our ongoing intelligence shows it is necessary and that there is good reason for prison visits to be monitored.
"We are serious about detecting contraband items and drugs as they enter prison, and we will continue to employ drug detection devices such as Ion Scanners and drug detection dogs to prevent drugs being smuggled in."
Ms Spence said the level of drug use in Queensland correctional facilities was continuing to fall, down from 17.9% of inmates in 1996-97, to 5.1% in 2004/05.
Media contact: Alison Smith 3239 6218 / 0439 673 287
Ms Spence said officers at the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre at Wacol this month found four syringes and 18 tablets inside a pair of shoes being worn by a prisoner.
“The items appeared to have been professionally sewn into the tongue and sides of the shoes,” Ms Spence said.
“Tests are currently being run on the tablets to determine their exact nature.”
Ms Spence said the find came amid several contraband operations which were run at Queensland correctional centres this month, which led to 11 visitors charged with 38 offences.
Ms Spence said the operations were held over Saturday and Sunday October 7th and 8th and targeted visitors to the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre, the Wolston Correctional Centre and the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre.
Visitors to all three centres were intercepted and Passive Alert Drug Detection dogs and Active dogs were used to screen all visitors and their cars.
Ms Spence said the October contraband crackdown led to charges including:
• traffic and driving offences;
• drug possession;
• possession of drug utensils;
• displaying false number plates.
Ms Spence said property seized included cannabis, methylamphetamine and a crack pipe.
Ms Spence said the operations involved Corrective Services Investigation Unit officers, the Oxley Tactical Crime Squad, the Queensland Corrective Services Dog Squad and intelligence officers based at all centres.
“These operations should serve as a reminder to everyone that if you attempt to smuggle drugs or other contraband into our prisons, you will be caught and run the risk of ending up behind bars yourself,” Ms Spence said.
“Last year regular and random contraband operations within Queensland jails led to 528 charges being laid against 415 people, including both prisoners and visitors.
“Queensland prisons have state-of-the-art electronic devices to detect the presence of drugs.
“Visitors should understand that they do not have to be carrying drugs to be detected.
“The scanners and the dogs can pick up miniscule particles or even smoke residue.
“The scanners can even tell prison authorities which drug is detected.”
Ms Spence said visitors who are on medication should carry the prescription or a doctor’s note to verify their medical need for the drugs.
"This type of targeted operation will continue to happen anywhere, anytime as part of this government's strategy to crack down on drugs in Queensland prisons,” Ms Spence said.
“People might complain about the level of security on visitors, but our ongoing intelligence shows it is necessary and that there is good reason for prison visits to be monitored.
"We are serious about detecting contraband items and drugs as they enter prison, and we will continue to employ drug detection devices such as Ion Scanners and drug detection dogs to prevent drugs being smuggled in."
Ms Spence said the level of drug use in Queensland correctional facilities was continuing to fall, down from 17.9% of inmates in 1996-97, to 5.1% in 2004/05.
Media contact: Alison Smith 3239 6218 / 0439 673 287