A significant haul of contraband is stopped in its tracks by Parklea Correctional Centre officers

ALERT prison officers at Parklea Correctional Centre have prevented a significant haul of contraband, including seven mobile phones, tobacco and two flick knives hidden in drink cartons, from being smuggled into the centre.

Parklea Correctional Centre - some of the contraband found by prison officers inside milk cartons

ALERT prison officers at Parklea Correctional Centre have prevented a significant haul of contraband, including seven mobile phones, tobacco and two flick knives hidden in drink cartons, from being smuggled into the centre.

Staff conducting routine security checks today in the sterile zone between the perimeter fence and the prison found a used 1-litre milk carton stuffed with four mobile phones, 43.5 grams of tobacco, 8-grams of white powder and a flick knife.

A further search of the area, found two used Up & Go drink cartons also crammed with a cache of contraband, including three mobile phones, a flick knife, 28-grams of tobacco and a white powder.

Minister for Corrections David Elliott praised staff for preventing such a significant haul of illegal goods being smuggled into the prison.

“One of the greatest challenges faced by all modern prison systems is contraband being thrown over fences or smuggled into correctional centres by visitors,” Mr Elliott said.

“Corrective Services NSW takes a zero tolerance approach to contraband and uses a range of measures to combat it. The more contraband seized by staff means the less circulating among inmates.”

Commissioner Peter Severin said officers at each centre conduct daily searches of cells and inmates’ common areas.

“Punishments for contraband-related correctional centre offences include withdrawal of privileges such as television, radio, use of “buy-ups” and contact visits for up to 56 days,” Mr Severin said.

“Contraband possession can result in an inmate being segregated for up to 14 days.

“As an alternative punishment, inmates can also face confinement to cells for seven days, with or without withdrawal of privileges. Depending on the items seized, inmates can face external charges.

The items seized today included:

· Seven mobile phones;

· Three SIM cards;

· Four mobile phone chargers;

· 71.5 grams of tobacco;

· Two flick knives;

· Two lighters;

· One pair of tweezers;

· One tube of superglue;

· Seven packets of tobacco papers;

· 10.1 grams of white powder; and

· An assortment of white and green tablets.