had become addicted to crack cocaine while inside Westgate.

That claim, of course, could simply have been an excuse to defend himself.

However there does seem to be some evidence that there are drugs in the prisons. There is even a suggestion that prison officers know what goes on but turn a blind eye to drugs because drugs keep the prisoners both happy and quiet.

Prisons Commissioner Edward Dyer, who admits there has been one drugs find within the last month, has invited both prisoners and prison officers to contact him confidentially on a hot line if they have information about drugs or drug pushing in jail. It is difficult to tell whether or not they would do so. If they are found out their life in prison would probably be little short of hell.

Commissioner Dyer has been quoted as saying, "I do get information from both prison staff and prisoners. But now I need more evidence if we are to bring these drugs culprits to justice.'' He has said that anything they report will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

There have been suggestions that prison staff are involved with drugs in jail.

Mr. Dyer has pointed out that if there is evidence of that, prison staff will be subjected to severe penalties. He is correct of course because no-one can tolerate people who are in a position of trust dealing drugs inside the prisons. Where drugs are concerned it is sensible to remember that the temptation of high financial returns is very great.

Given the amount of access there is to the prisons it might be difficult to determine just how drugs get inside. There are plenty of ways for that to happen without prison staff being involved. They can be passed in subtle ways to prisoners by family and friends during visiting hours. Prisoners on work release can make contact outside the prison. The same is true of prisoners who travel outside for medical treatment. After all, a prisoner is known to have had sex with a prostitute in a pump room at the Health Department Clinic while there for treatment.

At the Prison Farm and the CoEd Facility they can probably simply be passed through the fences. If the rumours are true and prisoners regularly leave the Prison Farm at night and return by morning, then supplying drugs would be no problem for them.

However people might think that it should be easy to stop even the suggestion that prison staff are involved. Spot searches should be an option.