Contraband stash at Palen Creek Correctional Centre

Officers at Palen Creek Correctional Centre (PCCC) have located a significant stash of contraband including drugs and mobile phones.

As part of normal search activities, officers searching the grounds of the farm on the weekend uncovered an esky that had been buried near the perimeter.

When opened, officers discovered a large quantity of tobacco and papers, syringes, needles, steroids, four mobile phones as well as a number of chargers.

Deputy General Manager Dave Gordon said that the find was a credit to officers at the farm.

“QCS has a zero tolerance approach to those attempting to introduce contraband into correctional centres,” Superintendent Gordon said.

“Items like these may seem normal to some people, but when they are introduced into a controlled correctional environment they present a serious risk to our officers, prisoners and visitors.

“Our officers are committed to containing and rehabilitating some of the most complex and dangerous members of society. I want to thank them for their vigilance in preventing a potentially dangerous situation.”

Taking or attempting to take a prohibited item into a corrective services facility is a criminal 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.