Contraband in SA prisons in 2020 doubles as smoking ban starts

Contraband seized at SA prisons nearly doubled last year – helped by the ban on smoking and tobacco products.

Yatala Prison, where 150 items of contraband were taken last year. Picture: AAP / Emma Brasier

The ban on cigarettes in SA prisons has contributed to a near doubling in the number of contraband items seized.

Last year, 560 items were taken from inmates, compared with 292 in 2019 and 212 in 2018.

According to data from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), of the 560 items confiscated last year, 265 were drug-related, 191 were general such as mobile phones , SIM cards and prescription medication, and 104 were tobacco products.

One of the most unusual items confiscated was 22 litres of developing brew at Mount Gambier Prison.

Prison guards discovered 150 items of contraband at Yatala Labour Prison. Picture: Emma Brasier

A DCS spokesman said the high number of confiscated items last year was because prisons added smoking items to the list of contraband.

“As 2020 was the first full year to include these items as contraband, this can account for the increase in the number of incidents of confiscated contraband,” he said.

“All SA prisons went smoke-free, meaning tobacco and related paraphernalia were added to the list of prohibited items for prisoners.”

The Public Service Association, which represents prison guards in all state facilities, said any contraband created danger for prisoners and staff.

“When prisoners have access to drugs, they are often unpredictable and create serious risks to PSA members,” the union’s acting general secretary, Natasha Brown, said.

“Access to mobile phones results in serious risks to the community.”

The rise in confiscations comes as a major legislative overhaul, which includes harsher punishments for prisoners caught with contraband, languishes in Parliament.

The revamp of the Correctional Services Act, announced in May 2019, strengthened laws against those planning riots, as well as people flying drones over prisons.

The Bill is before the Upper House and is expected to be a priority when Parliament resumes on February 2.

Last February, the State Government implemented the smoking ban in prisons – including removing tobacco products from prison canteens – after a gradual rollout in 2019.

“The department undertook a soft rollout, where education was used rather than prosecution for an initial, limited period of time,” the spokesman said.

Correctional Services Minister Vincent Tarzia said the rollout of the smoke-free program had led to a healthier environment for inmates.

“During the transition, healthy canteen options and extra physical activities were rolled out for prisoners,” he said.

The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on prison visits also meant visitors resorted to new tactics for smuggling.

While the DCS declined to comment on the “new ways” items were smuggled to avoid copycats, The Advertiser reported in May people were using fake legal letters to try to smuggle quantities of the drug suboxone.

Originally published as Contraband in SA prisons in 2020 doubles as smoking ban starts