KEY POINTS:
The Government is moving to create a single point of entry for nearly every prison site in the country, in its latest move to combat smuggling.
The Corrections Department confirmed yesterday that single entry points exist at nine prisons - including the four new regional prisons - and
were in the works for Christchurch Women's, Invercargill and Wanganui prisons.
Remaining prisons would be similarly upgraded - including Rimutaka Prison, the subject of a corruption inquiry, by 2008 - with the exception of Tongariro/Rangipo Prison, which presents logistical problems.
The move has been applauded by serving and former guards and the Corrections Association.
"Single entry points are most definitely the best way to combat contraband, as it channels everything into one place, making it much easier to catch people," says association president Beven Hanlon.
When finished, staff would have lockers in the gatehouse, rather than in the prison, so they would have no excuse for having anything in the prison that they were not meant to.
The move comes on top of a proposal for a fundamental change - announced yesterday by Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor - that could open the floodgates to convictions against anyone caught with contraband.
An amendment to the Corrections Act would mean unauthorised possession of contraband in a prison could lead to a $5000 fine and a three-month jail term.
At present the law requires intent to pass on contraband to be shown, a standard of proof that has seen few convictions.
"These changes will ensure that if you have contraband in your possession in a prison, or if you intend to pass it to a prisoner outside a prison, then you will be convicted," Mr O'Connor says.
"For anyone in possession of contraband, it will be very difficult to provide any defence."
He noted a case where a prisoner was found with drugs, but escaped conviction because the drugs were wrapped up and he claimed he did not know the contents.
"I expect stiffer penalties and an ability to clearly convict prisoners, prison officers or visitors, where there's an attempt to bring contraband in."
From 2003 to 2005, the number of confiscated weapons, drugs, cellphones and general items all increased, most dramatically for cellphones, which went from 252 confiscations to 1047.
The amendment, which will be brought before Parliament in August, would also empower corrections officers to search anyone - prisoners, visitors, prison staff or their lockers - suspected of supplying contraband.
National's corrections spokesman Simon Power said he wanted to see details before commenting on the amendment, but criticised the Government for taking its time.
CHANGES
Proposed changes to the Corrections Act:
* A new criminal offence for non-prisoners possessing drugs, mobile communication devices, or weapons in prisons without permission, punishable by up to three months in prison and a $5000 fine.
* Extending existing provisions so staff who pass contraband to prisoners outside the prison are punishable by up to a year's prison and a $5000 fine.
* Giving prison staff powers to search anyone - prisoners, visitors, prison officers and their lockers - suspected of supplying contraband.
* Making it an offence for an inmate to possess or use an unauthorised electronic device in a prison, punishable by up to three months in prison and a $5000 fine.
* Making it an offence to tamper with a drug test and allowing prisoners to be re-tested if a sample is suspicious.