Visitors warned against smuggling drugs into prison cells

POLICE in the Zambezi region say members of the public who smuggle forbidden items into holding cells also contribute to the high crime rate in the region as the inmates repeat the crimes when they are released.

Zambezi police spokesperson Kisco Sitali told The Namibian on Friday that the smuggling of prohibited items into cells was a major challenge to the police in the region. He said whenever the authorities carry out cell inspections, they often find a host of illegal items. The contraband ranges from drugs, knives, cellphones, chargers and other sharp objects.

“The family members and friends who smuggle these drugs and prohibited items for the inmates are not helping them at all, but disadvantaging them because those people are there to be rehabilitated and become better citizens when they are released.

“However, since they are being aided by relatives and friends, even when inside [the cells], they do not change, and once they are released, they commit similar crimes. As a result, crimes increase, and they (offenders) end up being imprisoned again,” he stressed.

Sitali said the Katima Mulilo holding cells are designed to accommodate 80 inmates, but now that capacity has been stretched to house 128 inmates, it leads to overcrowding.

“Visiting is normally on Sundays, and searches which are carried out are very effective. But smugglers keep on changing their tactics of smuggling things into cells. In some incidents, police officers are suspected of smuggling prohibited objects into the cells,” he noted.

Sitali thus warned members of the public against smuggling items into the cells, adding that those found guilty of such offences will be dealt with according to the law. All visitors must declare their goods before a police officer for inspection before such items are handed over to inmates.