Prison authorities anti-smuggling efforts fail to prevent flow of drugs in prisons

Prison authorities are struggling to combat the problem of smuggling in Irish jails, with new figures revealing that more than 3,200 drug seizures have taken place in prisons over the past three years.

A range of measures to combat smuggling have been introduced in recent years, but the number of inmate searches recovering quantities of illegal drugs remains persistently high. An average of three seizures each day have taken place in the prison network since 2012.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that a total of 3,236 drugs seizures have taken place in the State’s 14 prisons during the past three years.

There were 986 seizures last year, 179 of which were at Wheatfield Place of Detention in Dublin, a medium-security facility with an operational capacity of 540.

The next-highest number of drug seizures was recorded at Cloverhill Prison with 167, which is situated on the same campus as Wheatfield in Clondalkin, and has an operational capacity of 431.

Cloverhill Prison. Pic: RollingNews.ie

A total of 143 seizures were carried out at Mountjoy Prison, while a further 136 raids yielding illicit drugs took place at Midlands Prison in Portlaoise, which has an operational capacity of 870.

There were no drug seizures reported in the low-security prison at Shelton Abbey in Co Wicklow, or at Arbour Hill Prison in Dublin, which predominantly accommodates prisoners serving long-term sentences.

The Dóchas Centre, where female offenders are detained, recorded a total of 13 drug seizures last year; while 60 seizures occurred at St Patrick’s Institution for 17-year-old males.

Other detention centres that reported drug seizures last year included: Castlerea Prison (98), Cork Prison (72), Limerick Prison (80), Portlaoise Prison (17), Loughan House (16), and Mountjoy Training Unit (5).

Cork Prison

A spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service (IPS) said that extensive efforts have been made to reduce the flow of drugs and contraband into prisons since 2008.

“A range of enhanced measures including the establishment of a dedicated group of staff was introduced in May 2008 with the aim of reducing the supply of contraband into our prisons,” he said.

“This also included the introduction of security screening areas in all closed prisons, the introduction of a canine unit, increased searching of cells and their occupants, and the installation of nets over exercise yards.”