Large amount of drugs seized

JOELLE DALLY AND BEN HEATHER

Drugs are being seized from Christchurch Prison inmates more than in any other prison in the country, as contraband seizures in New Zealand prisons continue to rise.

Corrections Department figures show drugs were confiscated on 137 occasions at Christchurch Prison from July 1, 2011 to May 30, 2012.

Twenty communication devices, mostly cellphones, were also seized, along with 103 tattooing tools and 27 weapons.

The second biggest drug haul tally for the same period was at Rimutaka Prison, with 116 drugs seizures.

Corrections services assistant general manager Maria McDonald said many seemingly harmless household items were also banned in prisons because they could be adapted to illegal uses.

"Even sugar may be contraband in prisons if stockpiled, as it could be used for homebrew," she said.

Other items banned include honey, fruit juice and electric toothbrushes.

Nationally there were 1401 more contraband seizures in the 11 months to June compared to the previous year.

Corrections said the jump corresponded to increased effort to smuggle tobacco, which was banned in prisons in July late year.

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Large amount of drugs seized