UNION: BAN JAIL CONTACT TO STAMP OUT DRUGS

Banning contact visits with inmates is the best way to stamp out drug
smuggling into prisons, says prison officer' union boss Beven Hanlon.
Mr Hanlon was commenting after the drug 'P', worth around $26,000 on
the blackmarket, was found during a cell search in Auckland's Mt Eden
Prison.

Corrections Department northern regional manager Warren Cummins said
the amount of the drug was roughly equivalent in size and weight a box
of matches.

The case had been referred to police, and was now before the
courts.

Corrections Association president Mr Hanlon said the 'P' could have
been thrown over the prison wall, though it was more likely to have
been smuggled in by a person.

"One way to help prevent it being smuggled in is to stop contact
visits," he told The Sunday News.

"It sounds extreme but no contact, no pass-on contraband."