Eastern Cape police are hoping for a crime intelligence boost with the information contained in more than 200 cell phones that were confiscated during a raid in the St Albans Prison outside Port Elizabeth on Friday night.
Correctional Services officials together with the members of the South African Police (SAPS) carried out the raids in both St Albans and Mthatha prisons as part of Operation Vala.
Drugs in the form of dagga and mandrax were also confiscated during the raid.
Spokesperson, Major General Zamutango Mki says the police might unearth valuable information: “It is very difficult to search every inmate at these facilities, but we are hoping that raids like this will give us an indication as to how these cell phones got here and how they are being distributed to inmates.”
Overcrowding at prisons makes it difficult for wardens to effectively manage inmates, which in turn makes it easier for them to smuggle in illegal goods.
Correctional Services spokesperson, Nkosinati Breakfast says, “In total we have 5 000 inmates, those are sentenced and
unsentenced, and less than 2 000 officials to look after these offenders. It makes it difficult in terms of searching."
Once investigations are complete, the on-site court at St Albans will speed up the judiciary process.
Operation Vala is a 50-day festive season security operation to ensure tightened security at all Correctional Centres countrywide to reduce escapes.
Offenders have a habit of attempting escapes during this time of the year.
Correctional Services officials together with the members of the South African Police (SAPS) carried out the raids in both St Albans and Mthatha prisons as part of Operation Vala.
Drugs in the form of dagga and mandrax were also confiscated during the raid.
Spokesperson, Major General Zamutango Mki says the police might unearth valuable information: “It is very difficult to search every inmate at these facilities, but we are hoping that raids like this will give us an indication as to how these cell phones got here and how they are being distributed to inmates.”
Overcrowding at prisons makes it difficult for wardens to effectively manage inmates, which in turn makes it easier for them to smuggle in illegal goods.
Correctional Services spokesperson, Nkosinati Breakfast says, “In total we have 5 000 inmates, those are sentenced and
unsentenced, and less than 2 000 officials to look after these offenders. It makes it difficult in terms of searching."
Once investigations are complete, the on-site court at St Albans will speed up the judiciary process.
Operation Vala is a 50-day festive season security operation to ensure tightened security at all Correctional Centres countrywide to reduce escapes.
Offenders have a habit of attempting escapes during this time of the year.
VIDEO - PORT ELIZABETH - POLICE RAID ST ALBAN'S PRISON
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