Latest news with #contraband
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Franklin County jailer arrested for supplying inmate with alcohol and THC edibles
The Brief Emaleigh Smith, a Franklin County jailer, was arrested for supplying an inmate with alcohol, nicotine, and THC edibles. Smith faces charges including providing prohibited items to inmates and violation of oath by a public official; the investigation is ongoing. The GBI encourages anyone with information on drug activity to contact them through various channels, including phone and online submissions. FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ga. - A Franklin County jailer was arrested last week after state drug agents say she admitted to repeatedly supplying an inmate with alcohol, nicotine, and THC edibles. What we know Emaleigh Smith, 23, of Elberton, was taken into custody May 22 by agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office. She faces charges of providing items prohibited for possession by inmates, crossing guard lines with intoxicants, and violation of oath by a public official. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office had requested the GBI investigate allegations that a jailer was delivering contraband to inmates. Agents identified Smith as the suspected jailer and found THC edibles and alcohol in her vehicle parked at the jail. According to the GBI, Smith told investigators she had given alcohol, nicotine, or THC edibles to inmate Qwelon Johnson, 33, of Lavonia, on at least four occasions. Johnson is now facing additional charges of Possession of Prohibited Items by an Inmate and Possession of a Weapon by an Inmate. Smith was booked into the Franklin County Jail and later released on bond. What's next The investigation remains active and will be turned over to the Franklin County District Attorney's Office for prosecution. What you can do Anyone with information related to drug activity is asked to contact the GBI ARDEO at (706) 348-7410. Anonymous tips may also be submitted online at by phone at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), or via the "See Something, Send Something" mobile app. Big picture view The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit covering 30 counties in North Georgia, including multiple sheriff's offices, local police departments, the Georgia National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, Georgia State Patrol, Department of Community Supervision, and the GBI. The Source The GBI and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office provided the details for this article.
CBC
6 days ago
- CBC
Quebec unveils measures to curb drug-smuggling drones in detention centres
Social Sharing Quebec Public Security Minister François Bonnardel announced a series of measures to boost safety in the province's detention centres after drones have been used to smuggle drugs into jails. Between January and March, 274 drones were observed flying near jails — 195 of them carried packages, according to the ministry's statistics, and 134 packages were seized. "We've made huge strides on several fronts to prevent drone delivery of packages, detect contraband entering our facilities and secure entrances," Bonnardel told reporters on Monday at the Rivière-des-Prairies detention centre. To prevent drones from delivering packages to inmates, Bonnardel said fences will be installed above and around their windows in the coming months. These structures have proven to be "very effective" after being tested in some detention centres, Bonnardel noted. The second measure of the government's plan includes installing body scanners to detect objects that might be concealed in inmates' body cavities upon entry. All inmates will also be scanned before they return to their sleeping quarters. Those suspected by correctional officers of carrying objects will also undergo scanning. According to the minister, it's "a first" in Quebec. WATCH | The case of a convicted drug trafficker caught smuggling drugs using drones: Drones are flying drugs into prisons, but the inmates involved face little punishment 4 months ago Duration 2:14 The case of a convicted drug trafficker whose online drug-selling platform was connected to the death of a Quebec teen has some calling for stronger actions against inmates who commit crimes while in prison. "It's a tool that is, I would say, more efficient, faster and less intrusive than strip searches," Bonnardel explained. So far, six scanners have been installed in the province's detention centres, with 11 more expected by March 31, 2027. "I've seen how the body detector works. I tell the inmates: 'It's going to be a lot more complicated,'" Bonnardel said of the attempt to smuggle in contraband. Bonnardel stated that all visitors and employees entering jails will also have to pass through detection arches and have their personal effects checked by X-ray devices to help secure entrances. Six detention centres are still without arches and should have them by March 31, 2026, he said. The next steps of the government's plan is expected to involve technological measures to address cellphone smuggling, including jamming cellular waves, which takes more time since it falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government. Between January and March, the ministry's statistics show a total of 896 cellphones were seized as a result of searches, investigations or interceptions by correctional officers. SAPSCQ, the union that represents prison guards in Quebec, said their president wasn't available for an interview.
CTV News
6 days ago
- CTV News
Contraband worth $410K seized at Springhill, N.S., institution
A row of isolation cells is pictured at the Springhill Institution, a Canadian federal corrections facility located in the town of Springhill, N.S. (Courtesy: Office of the Correctional Investigator) Contraband and unauthorized items worth an estimated $410,000 were seized at the Springhill Institution, a medium security federal institution in Nova Scotia, on May 17. The items seized included: Methamphetamine Hashish Shatter (a type of cannabis concentrate) Electronics Accessories The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) uses ion scanners and drug-detector dogs to search buildings, personal property, inmates and visitors, a release from CSC said. CSC along with police are investigating into how the contraband items were introduced to the correctional institution. They have also set up a tip line for all federal institutions to receive additional information about activities relating to drug use or trafficking that may threaten the security of visitors, inmates and staff members at CSC institutions. The toll-free number, 1-866-780-3784, ensures callers remain anonymous. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Forbes
Contraband Cell Phones Are Costing The Bureau Of Prisons Millions
For those surrendering to prison, they often consider the trouble that got them there when faced with participating in any activity that would get them in more trouble. In many prison camps, the lowest level of security in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), cell phones are so prevalent that those who recently surrender can have one within days of arriving on the compound. According to a report by the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) recovered at least 8,700 contraband cell phones during fiscal years 2012 through 2014. In 2024, staff at Thomson Federal Prison recovered over 400 contraband phones and industry experts estimate that as many as 25% of all federal inmates may have access to contraband cell phones. That percentage is believed to be much higher at minimum and low security prisons. In response to the growing problem of contraband cell phones, legislative measures such as the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act were introduced to increase penalties for smuggling contraband into prisons. In 2013, after completing his shift at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, Albarati, a BOP corrections professional, was shot and killed while he was driving on the Jose De Diego Expressway. The shooting was coordinate by federal inmates housed at MDC Guaynabo who coordinated the hit with cell phones. Contraband phones are easy to get into prison camps. Corrupt staff, drones and drop-offs near the prison are the most common ways phones are introduced. Many camps have no fence or an unguarded perimeter that makes it easy for someone to pass contraband goods into the compound. The BOP has also had problems with its security cameras working, making breaches to the camp that much easier. A contraband phone can carry a price of over $2,500 with Cash App or Venmo are used to complete the transaction. These transactions often pass through multiple accounts as a way of masking the receipt of payment. The high price demonstrates the demand and the risk associated with being caught with a cell phone. Inspector General Michael Horowitz stated in comments related to removing cell phones from prison, 'A cell phone in a prison is a deadly weapon. Yet, as our investigative work continues to demonstrate, contraband cell phones have proven to be pervasive inside many federal prisons, a reality that undermines the safety and security of these institutions for BOP staff, inmates, and the public." Inmates' means of communication with the outside world are severely restricted, a privilege that can be revoked and is often unreliable. Federal prisoners have access to Corrlinks, an email system that only allows text-based messages—no hyperlinks or attachments. These emails are monitored, meaning all communication is saved and is not protected by attorney-client privilege. Phone calls are also allowed, but they are recorded and limited to 15 minutes before being cut off. The experience resembles using a pay phone at an airport in the 1990s: several phones in a small area, with long lines and noisy surroundings, where anyone passing by can overhear the conversation. While regular mail is becoming less common in prison, it is still used, but it is always opened and read by authorities. In-person visits are monitored but with limited supervision, typically by one or two correction officers stationed at a desk to ensure order is maintained. During visits, inmates cannot exchange papers or information. However, in the loud, crowded environment of the visiting area, many conversations remain private. That said, in-person visits come with a significant cost in terms of time and travel to reach the prison. The punishment for individual inmates has not been effective in reducing demand. The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has faced such a severe issue that it has resorted to mass punishments, locking down the entire prison until searches are completed and inmates provide information about how the phones are circulating within the facility. For the inmate caught with a phone, there are two major consequences. First, they will face punishment from the BOP, usually a 41-day loss of Good Conduct Time. Second, there is a social cost among the inmate population: the person caught is expected to purchase a replacement phone for those who were impacted by the incident. The presence of contraband cell phones comes with a significant cost to the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and, by extension, to taxpayers. While some phones are sent to FBI labs for analysis, not all phones are processed due to the sheer volume, far exceeding the resources available for proper investigation. Each time a phone is discovered, the BOP conducts an investigation and holds a disciplinary hearing, all while staff is already stretched thin. The BOP spends over $300 million annually to compensate for staff shortages. A significant cost of cell phones in federal prisons is the 41-day loss of Good Conduct Time imposed as punishment. When the BOP adds 41 days to a prisoner's sentence, it means an additional 41 days of incarceration costs. At an average cost of $120 per day (a typical figure for the BOP), that adds $4,920 in expenses for a single prisoner. With around 78,000 prisoners in minimum and low-security facilities, and if 25% of them have access to a cell phone, that equals nearly 20,000 phones. If half of those phones are confiscated and the prisoners receive the 41-day sanction, the total cost in additional incarceration would be $49.2 million. When an inmate or group of inmates is caught with a cell phone, it often results in sanctions against the entire prison population. This typically includes the suspension of visitation, phone use, and email privileges. Families are not notified about these lockdowns or the suspension of privileges, leaving many to show up for scheduled visits only to find them suddenly cancelled. The only way for inmates to communicate with their families during these lockdowns is through contraband cell phones. In their desperation to reassure their loved ones, inmates often risk making calls to let their families know they are okay. One phone call can quickly lead to more. These phones are more than just communication tools—they are essentially mini-computers that allow inmates to access news and legal information to assist with their own cases. Many attorneys are conflicted about whether or not to take calls from their clients, but the difficulty of arranging legal phone calls often leads to shortcuts or compromised communication. There is no easy solution to this. The BOP cannot condone the use of cell phones, though they do allow tablets that have very limited features such as movies, games or books. However, federal law prohibits the use of certain scrambling devices because it limits access to emergency services such as 911. Congress is now getting involved with a proposed bill that will lift the restriction allowing some scrambling devices to be used. Until then, the cat and mouse between inmate and BOP will continue.
CTV News
14-05-2025
- CTV News
Contraband worth more than $200,000 seized at Saskatchewan Penitentiary
Staff at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary in Prince Albert seized a large amount of contraband last week, according to the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). The illicit items included methamphetamine, THC, cannabis concentrate, and tobacco, with an estimated institutional value of $209,500. The correctional service attributed the seizure to the vigilance of its staff members, who it says use tools like ion scanners and drug-sniffing dogs to search personal property and inmates. 'CSC has also set up a telephone tip line for all federal institutions so that it may receive additional information about activities relating to security at CSC institutions. These activities may be related to drug use or trafficking that may threaten the safety and security of visitors, inmates, and staff members working at CSC institutionsm,' CSC said in a news release Wednesday. CSC has set up a telephone line for anyone with information about potential security threats at its federal prisons.
