Only three ‘active’ dogs to combat flow of drugs into state’s 14 jails

THERE are only three drug dogs in the country’s 14 prisons to search hundreds of delivery vehicles bringing supplies into jails every day.

Prison officers said this was a “huge gap” in the security systems at jails and called for the number of so-called “active dogs” to be increased to at least 10-12 dogs.

Deputy general secretary of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) Eugene Dennehy said drug bosses in prisons were coercing suppliers and van drivers to smuggle drugs in.

“They pressurise people, find out what companies are supplying, who’s driving, and put tremendous pressure on them,” said Mr Dennehy.

Speaking at the POA annual conference in Killarney, Mr Dennehy said “organised and dangerous criminals” operated the lucrative drugs market in prisons. He said they were exploiting this security system gap in order to circumvent tougher security regimes regarding people entering prisons.

Staff and visitors going in through prison entrances are screened by so-called “passive dogs”.

He said there were 20 passive dogs in the system and that this number should also be increased.

“Passive dogs are very positive,” said Mr Dennehy. “It has had a significant effect regarding people bringing in drugs. But if you close one gap, the criminals are innovative and find other ways.”

He said there was a huge number of delivery vans and other vehicles entering prison grounds every day, particularly in the larger jails.

These vehicles bring supplies into kitchens, workshops, libraries, tuck-shops and other parts of prisons every day.

He said that without the active dogs it was very difficult to search these vehicles for drugs.

The dogs are also used to search prison grounds for hidden stashes of drugs.

He said the drugs market and inmates high on drugs posed significant risks to prison officers.

“It makes the job of members more difficult. When you’re trying to deal with someone high on drugs, it makes our job more difficult.”

Mr Dennehy said it was essential to “plug this gap” in prison security.

“If you want to be serious about a fight against drugs, we need to address this deficit. It will send out a signal to the criminals.”

The conference passed a motion calling for an increase in the number of drug dogs and handlers.