Pubdate: Tue, 25 Sep 2007
Source: Peterborough Evening Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2007 Johnston Press
Contact: http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/contactus.aspx
Website: http://www.peterboroughet.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/961

JUDGE ATTACKS 'AWASH WITH DRUGS' PRISON

A crown Court Judge has launched an unprecedented attack on
Peterborough Prison, claiming the jail is "awash with drugs."

Recorder Sean Enright added that the presence of drugs in the
privately-run jail is harming the rehabilitation of offenders.

He made the claims while jailing Terry Williams for trying to smuggle
heroin and cannabis into the prison.

He told Williams: "The prison in question is awash with class A 
drugs, a factor which prevents the rehabilitation of offenders."

But a spokesman for Kalyx, who runs the prison, refuted the suggestion
and said they were vigilant.

Williams, (22), of Obverse Road, Hackney, London, appeared at
Peterborough Crown Court after pleading guilty at a previous hearing
to supplying class A and class C drugs, and assaulting a police officer.

Craig McDougall, prosecuting, showed the court CCTV footage of a visit
by Williams to the prison to see a friend who was serving time there.

In the footage Williams is seen holding a package in his hand during a
conversation with the inmate.

At the end of visiting time on Monday, January 29, Williams stood up
to leave.

The prisoner placed his open palm out, expecting the drugs to be
placed in his hand.

After a moments confusion a handshake took place, where the package
was passed over.

Almost instantly two prison guards pounced on the prisoner.

Williams then bundled into the officers, later claiming he lost his
balance.

More guards then arrived, and in the fracas an officer was struck by
Williams.

The prisoner was found to have 14 heroin wraps, worth UKP654 in prison,
and UKP20 of cannabis.

Angela Rafferty, defending, said Williams had not known the package
contained heroin.

She said: "He isn't the first stupid person to pass a more serious
drug into prison when they thought it was just marijuana."

Williams was sentenced to three years for supplying class A drugs, 18
months for supplying class C drugs and three months for assaulting a
police officer, to be served concurrently.

The drugs were ordered to be destroyed.

Rachel Evans a spokeswoman for Kalyx, the company who run the prison
said: "The fact that the person appeared in court is indicative of the
vigilance we show in preventing drugs coming in.

"There are attempts to smuggle drugs into pretty much every prison in
the country, and we are not alone in this.

"But so far this year drug testing of prisoners has shown we are below
the level of positive tests expected by the Home Office.

"We are not awash with drugs."
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MAP posted-by: Derek