STILLS, DRUGS TURN UP AT MATSQUI

With two days of spring cleaning behind them, staff at Matsqui Institution
are hoping this clean up of the medium-security prison will last.

The federal facility was locked down between 6 a.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m.
yesterday while inmates at Matsqui and the regional reception and
assessment centre - about 406 in all - were strip-searched and a
cell-by-cell search was conducted for contraband drugs, alcohol and weapons.

While the institution conducts routine searches about three times a year,
this one was extraordinary, said Wayne Marston, Matsqui's assistant warden
and media liaison.

"There were a number of things that led to the lockdown," he explained.

Between last Friday and Monday, prison staff found two stills, five
homemade knives and, in one inmate's cell, six flaps - or doses - of heroin.

As well, four inmates were segregated last weekend for either possession of
or being under the influence of alcohol.

And as a result of the two-day search, security staff netted a further two
homemade weapons, drug paraphernalia and some homemade alcohol.

So where are the drugs coming from?

Most likely visitors, said Marston.

The alcohol can be made from as little as a piece of bread for yeast and a
piece of fruit, like an orange, canned fruit or even ketchup.

And in the case of the stills, it doesn't take much to rig one up, he
pointed out. For example, one of the stills found between Friday and Monday
used an electrical cord, two spoons to plug into an outlet to generate
power, a piece of copper tubing and a Javex bottle.

The second was hooked up similarly, added Marston.

Those found in possession of the contraband could be charged under the
Correctional Service of Canada's Conditional Release Act or face criminal
charges.

"It is considered very serious because incidents of inmates (drinking home
brew) are often associated with violence against staff or other inmates,"
added Marston.

There has been some criticism that prison officials are turning a blind eye
to drugs, he continued, adding it's not true.

At one time there was a problem with people throwing drugs hidden in tennis
and racquet balls over the prison fence.

In response, a second perimeter fence was erected about two years ago.

"Matsqui's not alone in dealing with a drug problem," he added.

But asked what Matsqui is doing about its drug and alcohol problem, Marston
said staff are focusing on prevention and treatment.

On the prevention end, staff use ion scanners on visitors to detect
exposure to drugs or, when one's available, a drug-sniffing dog.

At this point, nine B.C. institutions share two dogs.

The correctional service is looking at increasing the number of dogs and
outfitting Matsqui with its own.

On the treatment side, Marston said the facility conducts urinalysis tests
to determine if an inmate has drugs in his system. Methadone treatment is
also being used to wean addicts off drugs.

There is a substance abuse treatment program and Matsqui is currently the
test site for a higher intensity treatment program, Marston proudly noted.

"Obviously, we're quite hopeful in terms of how that works out."