NI prison officers to face drug dog searches

Prison officers in the North are to be subjected to random searches by sniffer dogs as part of tough new measures to clamp down on the trafficking of drugs in jails, it was revealed today.

The measure is being introduced following recommendations from the Prisoner Ombudsman for an extension of the use of passive drug dogs to cover prison staff, uniformed or otherwise, and contractors as they enter a jail.

The proposal by Brian Coulter was made after he conducted a review of the use of dogs in the province’s jails.

Mr Coulter said: “I recommend that any possibility of drug trafficking by uniformed or other prison staff and contractors be addressed through security measures and identification of vulnerable staff members.”

The proposal was agreed to by Robin Masefield, director general of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, who said he intended to introduce such a measure, although it would require structural changes in prisons.

It was also supported by the Prison Officers’ Association whose chairman Finlay Spratt said: “We don’t have a problem with this, we welcome it because it clears staff of any suspicion.

“If there is any member of staff involved in smuggling drugs I want them rooted out.

“I believe everyone entering a prison should be searched. If we can stop drugs from getting in it is a plus, a win, win, win for everybody.”

The proposal was one of 22 made following the Ombudsman’s examination of the use of passive drug dogs – which he found to be “entirely justified.”

The Ombudsman also recommended that the Prison Service gave consideration to deploying the dogs to screen 100% of prison visitors and prisoners returning from home leave, working out, town visits and periods of parole.

He said it would “provide a greater contribution to disrupting the supply and flow of drugs into HMP Magilligan and elsewhere.”

He further recommended the Prison Service report all instances of illegal drug finds to the PSNI and record what police action was taken.

He added: “I recommend that the Director General of NIPS should seek the agreement of the Chief Constable of the PSNI that possession of illegal drugs by persons entering a prison should always be treated as a serious offence.”

He also recommended risk assessments be introduced to help prison staff corroborate whether a prisoner or a visitor was known to have previous involvement in the smuggling of drugs, or in their use.

Mr Masefield agreed to all points, but said there could be practical difficulties in ensuring that 100% of people were screened – given the need for training and potential for staff absence.

Presenting his report the Ombudsman said: “The impact of drugs in prisons is significant in the pressure that it puts on prisoners and their visitors, including their families, to supply drugs to prisoners.

“Use of drugs in prisons does create health issues for prisoners and I am aware from my investigations into a number of deaths in custody that prisoners have died as a direct result of taking illegal drugs.”

He added: “I find this totally unacceptable and fully support the Prison Service in their efforts to reduce the supply of drugs to prisoners.

“I also deplore the pressure that it puts on families and the debts that prisoners and their families incur in order to feed a prisoner’s drug habit.”.

Mr Masefield welcomed the recommendations, which he said highlighted the need to review monitoring arrangements.

He conceded: “NIPS does experience difficulties with illegal substances being smuggled into prisons,” and added “NIPS will take forward the implementation of the recommendations in the report to improve existing procedures and practices.”