X-ray body scanners have stopped 10,000 attempts to smuggle contraband including drugs, weapons and phones into prisons in just over a year
The innovative equipment, rolled out across the closed male estate in England and Wales, is part of the government’s bold £100 million package to boost security in prisons and crackdown on crime behind bars.
The 74 scanners, developed specifically for the Prison Service, allow staff to instantly identify whether prisoners are smuggling illegal contraband items within their bodies. The scanners have picked up Spice, morphine tablets, mobile phones, SIM cards, phone chargers and tobacco. These illegal items would have been destined for the prison wings, fuelling the illicit economy that drives debt and associated violence.
At HMP Garth a prisoner was found to be in possession of an iPhone and charging lead during a body search. The scanner revealed a large package in his bowel, later discovered to be full of tobacco, and HMP Berwyn banned items found on the same day the scanner was installed - showing the impact of value of these machines.
Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said:
Joanne Sims, Governor of HMP High Down said:
The cutting-edge technology has been installed at 73 sites meaning 100% of the closed male estate have the X-ray scanners, ensuring that there are no vulnerable points.
The equipment is being funded as part of the government’s commitment to transform the prison estate and cut crime. This includes: