The problem of drugs and mobile phones being smuggled into prisons is a well-documented one, but governors at an institution in Cheshire are having to contend with a different kind of contraband – fine food.
Some of the inmates at Thorn Cross open prison near Warrington have been receiving parcels of smuggled fresh meat and fish; including some delicacies, according to a watchdog.
A report [pdf] by the prison’s Independent Monitoring Board said: “The increasing amount of contraband entering the establishment is of concern … there have been incidences of mobile phones, sim cards, phone chargers, new psychoactive substances (NPS) and other substances and even fresh meat and fish.”
The board’s chairman, John Schofield, told the Times they had seen “fish, steak, liver and vegetables delivered. It is food in pre-packed containers from supermarkets. Last week there was a holdall of meat, liver and vodka”.
He added that the meat and fish was good quality and among the cuts of beef found were fillet and ribeye steaks.
The board’s report said that, besides the quality produce, positive tests for drugs had increased, adding: “There appears to be increasing use of cannabis.”
While it said the “increasing availability of the NPS on the outside has not been mirrored” at the prison, there had nevertheless been instances of people being found with them.
“Despite excellent use of intelligence available to the discipline staff, [contraband] remains a problem. Items found through searches and cell searches are high value currency items and it is important that prevention on entering the establishment is paramount and use and uptake of the contraband is impossible.”
A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Smuggling unauthorised items into prison is unacceptable and anyone found doing so can face longer behind bars.”
