Pubdate: Sun, 18 Jun 2006
Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Copyright: 2006 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.winnipegsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503
Author: Kathleen Harris, Ottawa Bureau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

PRISON BRASS VOW CLEANUP

OTTAWA -- Federal prisons are brimming with a cornucopia of lethal 
weapons, hard-core drugs and homemade booze, but Corrections Canada 
brass are vowing to step up efforts to curb the contraband.

Documents obtained by Sun Media through access to information reveal 
that inmates have got their hands on everything from crack cocaine 
and heroin to explosives, hacksaws, pornography and classified 
government material.

In reference to explosives and handcuff keys, a notice from the 
Correctional Service of Canada accompanying the list explained that 
the "vast majority of those items were found in common areas and were 
of no concern." Further, it noted none of the contraband items were 
found in possession of "high profile" prisoners.

Sylvain Martel, president of the Union of Canadian Correctional 
Officers, said the rise in drugs and weapons is creating more tension 
and danger in Canada's penitentiaries. While there has been a 
"dramatic" increase of dangerous weapons because of escalating gang 
activity behind bars, officers are bound by limits on search and 
seizure, and often offenders aren't charged for drug possession, he said.

Conservative MP Myron Thompson said for too long "hoodlums" have been 
running the show instead of the authorities. He said there must be an 
immediate crackdown to rid the prisons of drugs and weapons.

"It makes the situation very dangerous for the guards and the other 
inmates," Thompson said. "I know at some of the institutions I've 
visited I've found inmates in solitary confinement on request. Not 
for doing anything wrong, but for their own protection."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman