The Dark World of Prison Smuggling: Methods and Economics Behind Unauthorized Items

Prison environments are often a hotbed for the smuggling of unauthorized items, compounding issues that require comprehensive security measures and oversight. Dirty guards, corrupt politicians, and the economic incentives within the prison system play significant roles in facilitating these illegal activities. This article delves into the various methods used to smuggle drugs and other non-authorized items into prisons, highlighting the challenges faced by authorized personnel and the complex interplay of internal and external factors that enable these illicit practices.

Dirty Guards and Corruption

One of the primary culprits behind the smuggling of unauthorized items into prisons is the presence of dirty guards and corrupt politicians. These individuals often enable the flow of prohibited goods through various means:

Dirty Guards: Many guards are complicit in bringing in drugs and other unauthorized items. This can include accepting bribes or personal incentives to facilitate the smuggling process. Guards may also use various methods, such as smuggling items through their own deliveries or using the prison's infrastructure (e.g., exercise yards) to transfer items from the outside. Corrupt Politicians: Political figures involved in governing prisons often turn a blind eye to corruption within the department. By not properly funding training and internal affairs, they contribute to the ongoing problems. Politicians who fail to stand against unions and demand stricter oversight can exacerbate security breaches.

Prison Wallets and Smuggling Techniques

Prisons have devised various methods to smuggle unauthorized items, and these techniques can be quite ingenious. Let's explore some of the most prevalent strategies:

Exercise Yards and Mobile Phones

One common method involves using exercise yards to discreetly pass unauthorized items. For instance, inmates with mobile phones can call friends to throw drugs over the prison wall. In some extreme cases, the items being tossed can be dangerous—such as a 9-bar of hash, which can cause injury.

Drones

Modern technology has also played a role in smuggling unauthorized items. Some prisons now face the challenge of drones being used to deliver illegal substances.

Lower Security Visits

Many prisons have lower security visitation areas where personal items can be smuggled in. These visits can be exploited to bring in drugs and other prohibited items, adding to the security challenge.

Drug-Laden Clothing

Inmates have also found creative ways to smuggle drugs through their clothing. One notable example is the use of clothing parcels that are soaked in a THC-like drug. Inmates can then smoke the cotton, effectively ingesting the drug.

Food Deliveries and Laundry

Other methods include bringing in drugs via food deliveries and laundry. These items can be concealed within food packages or inside clean clothes, making it difficult for security personnel to detect.

Capos and the Economic Drive

The economic incentives of the prison system further complicate efforts to control unauthorized items. The economics of drugs within prisons is a stark illustration of how economic factors can drive criminal behavior:

Drug Economics in Prisons

Consider the example of a gram of meth, which may cost 20-40 bucks on the outside. Within prison, the cost can be dramatically inflated, leading to a significant profit margin. This economic disparity creates a lucrative market for drug traffickers.

Cost and Profits

Inmates and their families will pay high prices for drugs smuggled into the prison. For instance, selling a point of ice (a term for meth) that has been stepped on can fetch $20, $40, or even $60. This high profit margin incentivizes both inside and outside parties to participate in the illegal drug trade.

The Role of Correctional Officers

Correctional officers (COs) play a critical role in the drug trade. Once drugs enter the prison system, COs can facilitate their distribution. COs can also be directly involved in the smuggling process, using their positions to transport items from outside into the prison. The work of COs can significantly impact the flow of drugs and other unauthorized items within the prison.

Additionally, COs can benefit financially from the drug trade. Families and syndicates may pay them to deliver drugs, and the COs can collude to ensure that these items are distributed within the prison. This creates a potent network of corruption that is difficult to dismantle.

Historical Methods of Drug Smuggling

Historically, drug smuggling into prisons has involved more devious methods. One notable technique involves using postcards. Before the era of digital tablets, postcards could be mailed into the prison and physically received by inmates. This allowed drugs and other substances to be concealed in the postcards and processed for use inside the prison.

For instance, the postcards could be separated into layers, with drugs hidden within. These drugs would then be dissolved and reassembled as a solution between the layers of the card. This method would often go undetected by security personnel, as the drug remnants would be mixed with the paper pulp of the postcard.

The success of this method relied on careful concealment and the lack of thorough inspections. While it was not the only method, it demonstrated the creativity and resourcefulness used by those willing to smuggle unauthorized items into prisons.

Conclusion

The illegal smuggling of drugs and other unauthorized items into prisons is a multifaceted issue that requires a combination of enhanced security measures, stricter law enforcement, and economic reforms. Understanding the methods used by smugglers and the economic incentives driving the trade can help in devising effective countermeasures. By focusing on both the technical and economic aspects, we can improve security and reduce the prevalence of unauthorized items within prison walls.