DRUG-detecting dogs are being deployed into West Midlands prisons as part of the Government’s comprehensive plan to crack down on violence and crime behind bars.
The 12 specialist dogs – Lola, Ben, Amber, Cora, Bobby, Mac, Finn, Ernie, Red, Ice, Brooke and Ziggy – are expected to make a huge difference in the effort to keep contraband out of HMPs Birmingham, Brinsford, Featherstone and Hewell.
A total of 176 dogs are being sent into some of the most challenging prisons in England and Wales.
The new pack adds to the 630 dogs already in place across the estate which have proven to be crucial in the effort to keep illegal drugs, phones and tobacco out of our prisons.
Drug dogs already posted in the West Midlands have stopped a significant amount of illegal items getting into wings, including 85 litres of hooch, which was found in a single day.
Another search uncovered 104 A4 sheets of paper soaked in Spice hidden under a prisoner’s bed.
HMP Hewell Governor, Ralph Lubkowski, said: “The additional dogs are a great enhancement to our suite of measures designed to reduce illicit substances getting into Hewell.
“The extra support will enable us to provide a safe, decent, secure and rehabilitative environment for everyone that lives and works here.”
Across the estate there are 47 prisons set to receive their new additions by March. Each dog will be paired with their own dedicated handler, specially trained in detecting contraband items and further boosting the frontline.
The dogs and handlers are being funded by the Government’s £2.75billion commitment to transform the prison estate.
