News (Media Awareness Project) - CN BC: Tories Announce Cash For Prison Drugs Crackdown |
| Title: | CN BC: Tories Announce Cash For Prison Drugs Crackdown |
| Published On: | 2008-09-02 |
| Source: | Maple Ridge Times (CN BC) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-08 18:46:42 |
TORIES ANNOUNCE CASH FOR PRISON DRUGS CRACKDOWN
The Conservative government announced last weekw that it will increase
prison security in an effort to restrict the flow of illicit drugs.The
initiative includes more drug-sniffing dogs, security staff, scanners,
and new search rules to detect smugglers visiting the
institutions.
Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day publicize his plans at a news
conference at Kent Institution in Agassiz, carrying out
recommendations contained in a report last year from a panel that
conducted a sweeping review of the prison system.
The report, released last December, noted that about 80 per cent of
offenders arrive at prison with a serious substance abuse problem,
creating an increasingly dangerous environment for staff and offenders.
"It is not surprising that drug abuse and trafficking is an issue
within the penitentiary walls," said the report. "The current offender
population is one that will look to find every vulnerability in
Correctional Services Canada's security systems to introduce drugs
into the penitentiary." The drug announcement includes an infusion of
millions of dollars, set aside in 2008-2009 federal budget to address
recommendations contained in the prison review.The February budget
allotted $122 million over two years, starting with $12 million this
year, to go toward prisons, including money for rotting infrastructure
and drug reduction.But there was no breakdown of how the money would
be spent.
Officials at Springhill Penitentiary in Nova Scotia seized more than
$10,000 in illegal drugs six days ago, including 238 painkillers. In
the last year, there have been reports of drug overdose deaths,
lockdowns, and increased gang violence in prisons sparked by drug
wars. In a report earlier this year, the Vancouver Sun revealed that
children and even babies are being used to smuggle drugs into prisons.
Last year in Quebec, a woman and six-week-old baby visiting a gang
member in prison were flagged by a sniffer dog, leading to police
finding 32 grams of heroin on the infant.
The Conservative government announced last weekw that it will increase
prison security in an effort to restrict the flow of illicit drugs.The
initiative includes more drug-sniffing dogs, security staff, scanners,
and new search rules to detect smugglers visiting the
institutions.
Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day publicize his plans at a news
conference at Kent Institution in Agassiz, carrying out
recommendations contained in a report last year from a panel that
conducted a sweeping review of the prison system.
The report, released last December, noted that about 80 per cent of
offenders arrive at prison with a serious substance abuse problem,
creating an increasingly dangerous environment for staff and offenders.
"It is not surprising that drug abuse and trafficking is an issue
within the penitentiary walls," said the report. "The current offender
population is one that will look to find every vulnerability in
Correctional Services Canada's security systems to introduce drugs
into the penitentiary." The drug announcement includes an infusion of
millions of dollars, set aside in 2008-2009 federal budget to address
recommendations contained in the prison review.The February budget
allotted $122 million over two years, starting with $12 million this
year, to go toward prisons, including money for rotting infrastructure
and drug reduction.But there was no breakdown of how the money would
be spent.
Officials at Springhill Penitentiary in Nova Scotia seized more than
$10,000 in illegal drugs six days ago, including 238 painkillers. In
the last year, there have been reports of drug overdose deaths,
lockdowns, and increased gang violence in prisons sparked by drug
wars. In a report earlier this year, the Vancouver Sun revealed that
children and even babies are being used to smuggle drugs into prisons.
Last year in Quebec, a woman and six-week-old baby visiting a gang
member in prison were flagged by a sniffer dog, leading to police
finding 32 grams of heroin on the infant.
Member Comments |
No member comments available...
