It has recently been confirmed on GOV.UK that advanced X-ray body scanners have stopped over 1,376 illegal items – including drugs, weapons and phones – getting into prisons across England and Wales just 4 months after being installed.
The equipment is part of the Government’s £100 million package to improve security and defence against drugs and mobile phones in prisons.
The 28 scanners – which have been developed specifically for the Prison Service – allow staff to see instantly whether prisoners are smuggling in illegal contraband items internally, and have so far picked up Spice, morphine tablets, mobile phones, SIM cards, phone chargers and tobacco.
Prisons and Probation Minister, Lucy Frazer QC MP, said: “Stopping the flow of illegal items into jails is a huge priority for us.
“The scanners form part of our wider plan to step up security in prisons to cut crime and better protect the public.”
HMP Hindley Governor, Natalie McKee, added: “We are confident this equipment will prove to be a successful deterrent to anyone wanting to smuggle illegal items into our establishment.
“The X-ray body scanner supports our aim to provide a safe environment for our prison officers and the men in our prisons. The cutting-edge technology is being installed at jails with high numbers of remand prisoners – posing the greatest risk of smuggling.
A further 24 scanners are due to be installed in prisons by March 2021.
To read the full press release, visit: https://www.gov.uk/