Drugs, tobacco top prison contraband busts

Crooked prison guards have been smuggling contraband to inmates, with seven losing their jobs in three years.

Corrections Department figures show more than 6000 banned items were seized coming into prisons in the 11 months to May 30 this year.

Some banned items made their way into prisons with the help of Corrections staff, with 13 staff disciplined for smuggling for the three years to December 2011.

Of these, five received only written warnings, while seven were sacked. Another staff member resigned.

Corrections services assistance general manager Maria McDonald said most staff were very professional but a few had "let the side down".

Changes had been made recently to improve staff "integrity", including drug testing and credit checks for staff with financial responsibilities, she said.

The department has refused to release details of the smuggling but some guards were charged with corruption, and possession or supply of contraband.

In June last year, Rimutaka prison guard Johan Edwin Clarke was sentenced to two years and three months in prison for corruption.

Clarke admitted accepting $2850, sex with prostitutes and expensive wine in return for smuggling drugs, cigarettes and even dental floss.

Another guard admitted smuggling tobacco for an inmate who was an old friend.

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Drugs, tobacco top prison contraband busts