Phones, drugs smuggled into Windhoek prison

Between January and April, 95 cellphones, 101 packages of dagga, 33 crack cocaine sachets, eight mandrax tablets and 75 sachets of tobacco were found in the Windhoek Correctional Facility.

This according to Deputy Commissioner Veikko Armas, who was speaking at the facility’s Anti-Contraband Campaign.

He said some contraband was found in the prison when searches were conducted and in consignments that were dropped off or planted at the facility, while other contraband was intercepted at public places such as hospitals, courts and schools.

“Some of this contraband was intercepted before it could enter the facility, especially during external patrols conducted by the officers around the facility perimeters as often these drugs are planted around these areas by those who work in cahoots with inmates.”

The campaign is aimed at addressing the increase in smuggling of prohibited articles into correctional facilities.

“This campaign was necessitated by an alarming upsurge in the influx of contraband, which is trafficked into the facility by correctional officers/staff, offenders and sometimes unsuspecting members of the public,” Armas said.

Substantial threat

According to him, the smuggling of contraband poses a substantial threat to the overall mandate of the Namibian Correctional Service - providing safe, secure and humane custody to offenders.

“These illicit items such as mobile phones, drugs and weapons can be used by offenders to perpetuate violence against officers, fellow offenders and members of the public. They can also be used by offenders to engage in criminal activities such as creating underground economies and aggravate existing drug addictions by offenders.”

He added that the smuggling of contraband into correctional facilities poses a threat to the safety of correctional staff, offenders and the public at large.

“The regular confiscation of contraband at the Windhoek Correctional Facility necessitates the facility to reach out to our stakeholders and educate them about the adverse effects that the trafficking of contraband has on the rehabilitative processes within correctional facilities.

“Contraband includes all goods that are prohibited by law from entry into a correctional facility, such as cellphones, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, sharp objects, weapons and money.

“Sadly, these are also smuggled into facilities by our own correctional officers who are expected to work in the best interest of the public and offenders by virtue of their positions,” he said.

“On the other hand, offenders are also able to smuggle in contraband by making use of their body cavities where they insert contraband into the rectum or by swallowing it and retrieving it later.”

Report it

Armas said another method used to smuggle contraband is through family and friends visiting inmates who are persuaded to bring in unauthorised articles by means of concealment.

“For example, contraband could be hidden in food containers, items such as coffee or bread or they could be placed in toiletries.”

He stressed that the negative effects associated with contraband use and smuggling include an increase in security incidents, bullying and violence.

Any information regarding the smuggling of contraband into correctional facilities can be reported via 061 284 6512/13 or at the nearest police station.