NSW: Prison officers smuggling phones into jails: commissioner

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-2003
NSW: Prison officers smuggling phones into jails: commissioner

The NSW prisons chief says more than 200 mobile phones have been smuggled into his
jails in the last two years.

Corrective Services Commissioner RON WOODHAM says in scveral cases it's been done by
prison officers.

Mr WOODHAM says there have also been cases of drugs and other contraband being thrown
over prison walls inside tennis balls and hollowed-out pieces of fruit.

The commissioner's told a state parliamentary committee his department has intelligence
that staff have been involved in trafficking phones and SIM cards into prisons for use
by inmates.

He says one prison officer has already been sacked for such an offence.

AAP RTV jh/kbw/gjr/rp

KEYWORD: PRISONS (SYDNEY)

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