Manx jail's tough stance on drugs

Regular drug checks are made at the prison

Bosses at the Isle of Man prison have said they will take a "hard line" on attempts to smuggle drugs.

Deputy prison governor Colin Ring issued the warning after an inmate was give a six-year sentence for trying to recover drugs thrown over the wall.

The man was on remand at the Victoria Road prison at the time.

Mr Ring said: "We take a very tough stance against this sort of behaviour and will continue to work hard in a bid to keep drugs out of the prison."

After sentencing the man, Deemster Doyle said that the courts would do everything in their power to protect prison officers from the dangers posed by the use of drugs by inmates.

Drug 'sweeps'

Mr Ring, who is also security manager at the prison, said he hoped the sentence would act as a deterrent.

"Any attempt to smuggle controlled substances into the prison environment will simply not be tolerated and will result in criminal charges being brought," he said.

"Similarly, inmates who are caught trying to recover drugs that have been thrown over the prison wall will be prosecuted."

As well as regular sweeps of the perimeter wall, prison staff can search inmates and cells, while all visitors are checked by sniffer dogs trained to detect illegal substances.

The government said the island's new jail at Jurby will offer greater protection against would-be drug smugglers as it is surrounded by a 17ft(5.2m) high external perimeter wall constructed from cast concrete.