Published Monday, 05 January, 2009 at 03:57 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
More contraband and charges during prison searches
Prison officers have located mobile phones, SIM cards and syringes and police have arrested the second visitor in a week in two separate incidents at Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre (AGCC).
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said that at 8:13am this morning (January 5) a search behind the skirting boards in a laundry area of one of the AGCC units located three mobile phones, three SIM cards, a mobile phone charger, one syringe, seven syringe needles and a glove finger containing an unknown substance.
“The unit’s prisoners were put into lockdown and police from the Queensland Corrective Services Investigation Unit are investigating the find,” she said.
“And despite clear warnings about tough prison security during the Christmas period, a 35-year-old woman yesterday (January 4) became the second female in a week to be charged with allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs into AGCC.
“She is alleged to have hidden one gram of marijuana in her bra. A search of her Logan Central home also located one gram of marijuana,” Ms Spence said.
The woman was charged with one count each of supply a dangerous drug within a correctional centre and possession of a dangerous drug.
The woman was scheduled to visit a 27-year-old male prisoner. She was issued with a notice to appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on January 15.
Ms Spence said today’s haul of equipment and syringes had foiled another attempt to get contraband to prisoners.
“History dictates that prisoners and a small number of visitors take extra risks at this time of year.
“The 2008-09 festive season has been no exception with visitors charged and contraband found at centres across the State,” she said.
‘While many of us were able to enjoy a break with our families at this time of year, QCS custodial and probation and parole officers, and police officers from the QCSIU have worked through, ensuring prison security, conducting investigations and supervising offenders serving their sentences in the community,” Ms Spence said.
Media Contact: 3239 6218
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said that at 8:13am this morning (January 5) a search behind the skirting boards in a laundry area of one of the AGCC units located three mobile phones, three SIM cards, a mobile phone charger, one syringe, seven syringe needles and a glove finger containing an unknown substance.
“The unit’s prisoners were put into lockdown and police from the Queensland Corrective Services Investigation Unit are investigating the find,” she said.
“And despite clear warnings about tough prison security during the Christmas period, a 35-year-old woman yesterday (January 4) became the second female in a week to be charged with allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs into AGCC.
“She is alleged to have hidden one gram of marijuana in her bra. A search of her Logan Central home also located one gram of marijuana,” Ms Spence said.
The woman was charged with one count each of supply a dangerous drug within a correctional centre and possession of a dangerous drug.
The woman was scheduled to visit a 27-year-old male prisoner. She was issued with a notice to appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on January 15.
Ms Spence said today’s haul of equipment and syringes had foiled another attempt to get contraband to prisoners.
“History dictates that prisoners and a small number of visitors take extra risks at this time of year.
“The 2008-09 festive season has been no exception with visitors charged and contraband found at centres across the State,” she said.
‘While many of us were able to enjoy a break with our families at this time of year, QCS custodial and probation and parole officers, and police officers from the QCSIU have worked through, ensuring prison security, conducting investigations and supervising offenders serving their sentences in the community,” Ms Spence said.
Media Contact: 3239 6218