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Source: ONE News -
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One of New Zealand's most drugged up prisons does not have a specialised rehab programme to help users quit their habits.
The Corrections Department claims the number of prisoners using
drugs is at an all time low.
But official figures obtained by ONE News show positive drug tests
at Mount Eden jail are twice the national average.
Canine investigators help sniff out drugs destined for New Zealand prisons.
The Department of Corrections says the dogs and other measures have seen inmate drug use hit an all time low in the past year, adding that they are quite proud of its success.
The number of prisoners returning positive random drug tests is sitting at just over 10.5%.
"That is the lowest figure that we have recorded since we began randomised drug testing in 1998," says Department Of Corrections spokesman Brendan Anstiss.
But, that's using a national average and at Mount Eden Prison, the department's own figures show the numbers are nearly double that and in some cases triple.
"Eventually most prisoners get out and unfortunately most come out with untreated alcohol and drug problems, they relapse and reoffend very quickly," says ADAC Ltd Clinical Manager Roger Brooking.
As well as random samples, prisoners can also be drug tested on reasonable grounds.
Figures released to ONE News under the Official Information Act reveal in the past year (2008/2009), that 37% of the drug tests at Mount Eden came back positive.
At Rimuktaka its 27% and at Christchurch Prison its 23%.
Corrections say Mount Eden's bad showing is due to the prison's 120-year-old design.
The main motorway is right in the shadow of Mount Eden Prison. Drugs can and have been lobbed into the jail stuffed in tennis balls and even a bird carcass.
This jail also has a high number of visitors and inmates coming and going.
Only six of the country's jails have a specialised treatment drug programme.
"We know they result in 13% reduction in re-imprisonment over two years, that is an excellent result," says Anstiss.
But despite Mount Eden being New Zealand's most doped up prison, it doesn't have the programme.
Corrections say the old prison lacks the specialist facilities needed, but a new jail onsite should be finished in two years.
But Brooking says that is a flimsy excuse.
"I don't really understand that cause all you need is room large enough to hold a group."
Nationally, the inmate drug treatment programme has places for 500. Corrections hope to double that by 2011.
"It makes a small difference but comapared to prisoners who are having drug and alcohol problems, it is a drop in the bucket," says Brooking.
Brooking believes more resources and consideration needs to go into treating offenders in the community.
"Residential treatment programmes in the community are about three times more effect than drug treatment in prison."
And he believes it's an investment New Zealand has to make if the nation is serious about reducing crime.
