Prison football squad use game as smuggling cover

| 30/07/2013

(CNS): Inmates on HMP Northward’s football squad were caught trying to smuggle booze, drugs and other contraband into the country’s jail on Monday evening, 29 July, after they returned from an indoor football league match outside the prison walls, where they had been accompanied by prison officers. Around six ounces of ganja, smoking papers, rum in a plastic juice bottle and a mobile phone charger were confiscated from four prisoners when they were checked back into Northward after their game, which took place in George Town. During a follow-up search of the inmates’ cells officers then recovered two cell phones and a spare phone battery.

Prison Director Neil Lavis said the officers on duty were vigilant and took prompt action. “The zero-tolerance policy on contraband means that anyone attempting to bring these items into the prison will be dealt with severely,” he said.

The attempts to smuggle in the items has cost the four inmates their privileges. The prison boss said they were all immediately removed from Northward’s 'Enhanced Wing’ and their prison categorization level increased.

“The internal adjudications were being held today, in keeping with the policy to deal with these matters swiftly,” Lavis added.

For many years HMP Northward has entered a team in the local indoor football league, and despite the set-back for these four players, the prison said it was committed to promoting important rehabilitative activities and programmes for inmates.

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  1. Confused&Bemused says:

    Total BS, prison is punishment not a summer camp. Why are people who have commited crimes given priveledges that they do not deserve?!

    Exercise is one thing but being given the right to leave the prison and compete in a football league with the general public is ridiculous, just when you think the Island couldn't get any stranger something even more strange comes up!

  2. WHAT !!!!!!! says:

    I still feel prisoners should be treated like prisoners when you do a crime well you loose all your rights and privalages..

    • Anonymous says:

      Do they forget what happened to Sabrina???? How one forgets so quickly!!!! Until it happens again…why give them that type of freedom  For goodness sakes they have committed crimes, some worse then others and it goes to show you that they HAVE NO RESPECT for the law. So punish them all you want they don't give a damn..just keep giving them privilages until it back fires

  3. Anonymous says:

    Internally , why not the police, this was an illegal substance.  You get  away with illegal substance if you are in prison. 

  4. Rrp says:

    RCIP also investigate if any of them were not bullied by others (who do not have exit priviledges) within northward.  My understanding is that gangs function well within the prison system.  Let's make sure we don't punish only the  small fish.

  5. Cow Eeeetch says:

    I am sooo shocked by this… how are they supposed to smoke without a lighter!

  6. Cotton Candy says:

    A change in management does wonders eh! And i mean that all around including the very top echelons of our Civil service who's retirement did wonders for HMP and ushered in much need improvements and change in direction.This old boy & girls network is the bane of alot of things in our government and island and they have always been a huge obstacle to change and progress …. now deal with the Political new carriers and their handpicked Concubines ooops! appointees and that would really get the ball going round here?

  7. Anonymous says:

    End this football idea now.  Prison is too soft and for these actions the team should be closed for at least a couple of years, if not closed down completely. 

  8. Anonymous says:

    So.. who won the match??

  9. Anonymous says:

    Are the prisoners involved also going to be charged with possession/possession with intent to supply or will they simply have their TV privileges ended for 2 days? If the law is not being enforced in the prison then what type of message is that sending?

  10. Anonymous says:

    I hope that as soon as these items were discovered that the police were informed and started investigating their contacts at the ballgame ,whether it is a wife,girlfriend or whoever. The cars and homes of these individuals should also be searched in an effort to find the source of the contraband.

  11. Anonymous says:

    What?!! Say it aint so!!! I am shocked that something like this could happen at HMP!!! I have read in other media outlets about other institutions having drugs found in the administration offices, but never here!!! Oh,….wait a minute…..never mind…

  12. Anonymous says:

    looks fresh!

  13. Anonymous says:

    End this foolishness and stop letting prisoners play in external leagues.   

  14. Anonymous says:

    I think the Director handled this perfectly. Do not punish those who did not participate in trying to smuggle the "booty" into the prison. I think getting these "young men" out and participating in sport is an excellent idea. I also hope they add in academic, work skills, resume prep and community service. Any prisoner who "screws up" does not get to take advantage of these programs.