Legislative proposal to combat the smuggling of goods into prisons submitted to the House of Representatives
A legislative proposal that makes it an offence to smuggle prohibited items into custodial institutions has been submitted to the House of Representatives. Minister Dekker: "We have learned from practice that despite stringent security checks, new ways of smuggling in prohibited items are constantly being found. This must be dealt with firmly as safety is at stake."
A legislative proposal that makes it an offence to smuggle prohibited items into custodial institutions has been submitted to the House of Representatives. Minister Dekker: "We have learned from practice that despite stringent security checks, new ways of smuggling in prohibited items are constantly being found. This must be dealt with firmly as safety is at stake."
Visitors who offend can expect to receive a prison sentence of up to six months. The items in question are legal in the outside world, but prohibited in the institutions because their use can compromise order and safety in the institution. They include mobile phones, tablet computers and tools. It already is an offence to bring illegal items, such as drugs and weapons, into custodial institutions.
Mini-telephones are also being hidden inside tennis balls and then thrown over prison walls. Even drones are sometimes used. Bringing prohibited items into institutions using such technical or other devices therefore also falls within the scope of the new criminal offence. The legislative proposal ties in with a broader approach aimed at keeping smuggled goods out of custodial institutions, as recently presented by Minister Dekker in his vision for imprisonment.