Body Scanners To Be Introduced At Cessnock Gaol

BY IAN CROUCH

Inmates at Cessnock Gaol will soon be subject to full body scans in a bid to stop illegal drugs and contraband from entering the prison.

The state government is spending 15-million dollars to install the body scanners at maximum-security correctional centres across NSW.

Legislation currently permits inmates to be scanned before and after each contact visit - the government wants to amend the law to allow visitors to also be scanned.

70 body scanners will be installed in 23 prisons by the end of the year

Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Peter Severin said the scanners would complement existing measures to detect contraband.

“Our hardworking officers undertake daily searches of inmates, cells and common areas, and we’ve increased searches of mail and perimeter fences,” Mr Severin said.

“An enhanced strategy is also under development to make better use of technology and tighten policies and procedures governing visits, and the provision of photocopies of mail in place of original documents.”

Cessnock Prison Officer Caught Smuggling Claims Inmates Pressured Him

BY IAN CROUCH

A prison officer who was caught smuggling contraband into Cessnock Gaol says he felt pressured to do it.

Beau Martin told police the smuggling started with small-time items like food, toothbrushes and cologne, but then progressed to banned items like tobacco and mobile phones.

The 30-year-old says he complied with inmates demands because they threatened him, saying they knew where his son lived.

Fairfax reports Martin was paid more than $2,000 to bring contraband into the gaol -he's pleaded guilty to two counts of agent corruptly receiving a benefit, two counts of unlawfully delivering items to an inmate and attempting to bring prohibited drugs into gaol.

Martin will be sentenced in May.