CORRECTIONS OFFICIALS TO BAN GIFTS TO INMATES

Only educational, religious or legal materials will get in. The aim is to
cut drug smuggling into facilities.

YARDVILLE -- New Jersey corrections officials yesterday demon strated what
baked treats, magazines and new clothes can mean to an inmate otherwise
deprived of creature comforts:

Drugs, drugs and more drugs.

Appearing at a news conference surrounded by props such as pound cake and
magazines, Corrections Commissioner Jack Terhune showed how the items can
hide contraband including heroin and marijuana cigarettes.

In an effort to stop such drug trafficking, Terhune said that as of Monday,
inmates across the state would no longer enjoy gifts from the outside
world, with the exception of authorized educational, religious or legal
materials.

According to the New Jersey Department of Corrections, in the last two
years alone, nearly 4,000 cases of drug possession by inmates were
discovered in New Jersey jails, prisons and other correctional facilities.

The new policy is the third tier of "Zero Tolerance," an antidrug policy
for inmates.

The first tier was instituted last May, when inmates began losing their
right to see visitors if they were caught with drugs or alcohol. So far,
more than 630 inmates have lost visitation rights. After a year, they may
petition the commissioner for reinstatement. But if they are caught a
second time, they permanently lose their right to see family and friends.

In September, the Department of Corrections told inmates in facilities that
allowed street clothes to trade them in for state-issued uniforms.

Terhune yesterday showed marijuana hidden in the hoods of sweatshirts and
heroin hidden in the heels of shoes.

Also announced earlier this week was the opening of a new sex-offenders'
unit in the Bordentown Ju venile Medium Security Facility. A contractor is
being sought to run the wing, which used to be for fe male offenders. The
female unit was moved across the street to Valentine Hall.

The unit will provide 24-hour security and comprehensive treatment, said
Beth Kuhles, spokeswoman for the state Juvenile Justice Commission. She
said the contractor will run the unit and provide counseling to other
inmates of the facility and throughout the state.

Checked-by: Joel W. Johnson