Contraband finds at Palen Creek and Borallon

Custodial and intelligence officers at Palen Creek Correctional Centre (PCCC) and Borallon Training and Correctional Centre (BTCC) have been praised for their vigilance in finding significant amounts of contraband.

Intelligence officers from BTCC identified information that a visitor was planning on providing a significant quantity of Subutex strips to a prisoner.

On Friday August 14, Queensland Police Service officers from Forest Hill Major Organised Crime Squad (Rural) intercepted a visitor at BTCC with 180 Subutex strips with a prison value of more than $85,000.

She has been charged with supplying dangerous drugs within a correctional facility and possessing dangerous drugs.

On Wednesday August 19, custodial correctional officers conducted a search of PCCC located 74 unopened needles, 10 unopened syringes, 13 vials of steroids, 2 mobile phones as well as a charger and a USB. Investigations are continuing.

Chief Superintendent Peter Henderson ACM said QCS has a zero-tolerance approach to the introduction of drugs and contraband into prisons and that officers work hard every single day to prevent these from entering the correctional system.

“Prisons are controlled environments for a reason and introducing contraband such as this is extremely dangerous and puts the safety of our officers, visitors and other prisoners at risk,” Chief Superintendent Henderson said.

“These are fantastic examples of the important work our officers do every day to keep our community safe and ensure their colleagues on the front line remain safe.”

“I want to thank our intelligence officers for their professionalism and diligence and the support of the Queensland Police Service to stop this significant amount of contraband into our correctional centres.”

Taking or attempting to take a prohibited item into a corrective services facility is an offence with a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment.

In addition, introducing dangerous drugs into correctional centres is classified as “aggravated supply” under the Drugs Misuse Act 1986, with a penalty of up to 25 years’ imprisonment.

Prisoners identified as having involvement in the introduction of contraband are disciplined and may have their contact visits revoked or have their placement in low Custody reviewed. This may also have an impact on Parole applications.