The investigation, which began in July last year, was launched after an inmate allegedly arranged the trafficking of drugs into New Zealand using illicit cell phones. From March 23, until May 13 last year, no visitors were allowed into the prison, due to New Zealand being under alert levels 3 and 4.
The most common items of contraband found during lockdown at Rimutaka Prison were communication devices. Responding to questions from
Stuff, prison director Viv Whelan said while visitors could not smuggle in contraband in during the lockdown there were other methods, concealed on a prisoner’s body when they come into a prison, posted in with mail or property, thrown over perimeter fencing, or made using every day items with the prison.