Published Sunday, 04 January, 2009 at 09:00 AM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Visitor charged over drugs
Corrective Services Minister, Judy Spence, today warned visitors to the state’s prisons they face possible jail time if they attempt to smuggle drugs to prisoners.
The Minister’s warning follows the arrest of a 22-year-old Caboolture woman who tried to smuggle drugs on a visit with a 26-year-old male prisoner at the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre last week.
Ms Spence said a search revealed the woman had six “Subutex” tablets inside her bra. Subutex is a heroin substitute often used by addicts on rehabilitation programs. A further search of the woman’s home by police with a Queensland Corrective Services drug dog, found three more tablets, believed to be Ecstasy, a water pipe “bong” and 19 used syringes.
She has been charged with supplying dangerous drugs to a correctional facility, possession of a dangerous drug, possession of drug utensils, and failure to dispose of syringes in a proper manner.
She will appear in the Caboolture Magistrates Court on the 28th of January.
Ms Spence said a security crackdown at all correctional centres had located “prison brew” at the Capricornia Correctional Centre when night shift staff at the prison farm detected a plastic bottle hidden in a drainpipe. Staff retrieved a 750ml cordial bottle jammed up past the down-pipe bend.
Staff also found approximately 15 litres of "prison brew" in an exercise yard at the Borallon Correctional Centre, and what appeared to be six more bottles of "prison brew" behind a dryer in an accommodation unit at the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre.
“Queensland Corrective Services steps up security at this time of year because we know from experience that prisoners and visitors tend to take extra risks. But the warning to visitors cannot be clearer - attempt to smuggle contraband and you are facing possible jail time,” Ms Spence said.
Media Inquiries: 3239 6218
The Minister’s warning follows the arrest of a 22-year-old Caboolture woman who tried to smuggle drugs on a visit with a 26-year-old male prisoner at the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre last week.
Ms Spence said a search revealed the woman had six “Subutex” tablets inside her bra. Subutex is a heroin substitute often used by addicts on rehabilitation programs. A further search of the woman’s home by police with a Queensland Corrective Services drug dog, found three more tablets, believed to be Ecstasy, a water pipe “bong” and 19 used syringes.
She has been charged with supplying dangerous drugs to a correctional facility, possession of a dangerous drug, possession of drug utensils, and failure to dispose of syringes in a proper manner.
She will appear in the Caboolture Magistrates Court on the 28th of January.
Ms Spence said a security crackdown at all correctional centres had located “prison brew” at the Capricornia Correctional Centre when night shift staff at the prison farm detected a plastic bottle hidden in a drainpipe. Staff retrieved a 750ml cordial bottle jammed up past the down-pipe bend.
Staff also found approximately 15 litres of "prison brew" in an exercise yard at the Borallon Correctional Centre, and what appeared to be six more bottles of "prison brew" behind a dryer in an accommodation unit at the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre.
“Queensland Corrective Services steps up security at this time of year because we know from experience that prisoners and visitors tend to take extra risks. But the warning to visitors cannot be clearer - attempt to smuggle contraband and you are facing possible jail time,” Ms Spence said.
Media Inquiries: 3239 6218