Jaw prison ramps up security as smuggling cases increase

Manama

Security at the Jaw Prison has been strengthened to prevent family members of inmates from smuggling drugs and other items into the prison, authorities stated.

A series of attempts to smuggle drugs and other items into Jaw Prison were recently foiled by the authorities. General Director of Reformation and Rehabilitation Colonel Nasser Bikhaut said that new security measures have been introduced to Jaw Prison to prevent family members from smuggling items to the inmates during visiting hours.

"There are complaints that we are too intrusive on security as far as relatives and visitors to the facility are concerned, but there is a reason to why this has happened. Searches are important during the relatives' visit. The practice is followed in developed countries to stop trafficking of banned items such as drugs, sharp objects or weapons, as well as items that could help the inmates escape," Interior Ministry's publication Al Amn quoted Col. Bikhaut as saying.

"There was one incident when a woman hid the drug in her mouth and pushed it into her husband's mouth as she hugged and kissed him. In another case, one relative mixed drugs into the juice he brought for the inmate. In yet another case, one inmate swallowed 25 capsules of narcotics worth BD 85,000 when he pretended that he was sick and was transferred to a hospital. Strangely, the inmate was not using drugs but was convinced by other inmates to traffic the narcotics in exchange for BD 1000," he said.

He added that relatives have even tried to smuggle drugs by hiding it inside their shoes. "After that we have introduced shoes that are kept for visitors to wear during their visits. I wonder why after all those incidents, visitors are complaining of the steps we have taken. There are still parents who insist their wards to be refereed to the hospital, only to get a chance to hand them narcotics."

"From the first day, inmates are informed of their duties and rights to help them adjust to the situation. They are also informed of the penalties they will face if they commit violations. However, the department is responsible for providing them food, healthcare and the minimum international standards of reformation and rehabilitation," he explained.