Maldives Correctional Service has said that efforts are ongoing to minimise the quantity of items being smuggled into prisons, but it would be difficult to fully prevent items from being smuggled into prisons.

Superintendent of Prisons of Maldives Correctional Service Mohamed Asif said at a press conference today, that goods being smuggled in is something that happens in prisons around the world.

He also mentioned that large quantities of drugs and mobile phones have been found in Male' Prison, Maafushi Prison, and Asseyri Prison, when these locations were searched over the past three weeks in operations aimed at improving security.

When asked by a reporter how these items are taken into the prisons, Asif said that prisoners often work with prison guards to smuggle them in.

“Procedures are in place to frisk staff before they enter the prisons. This will greatly reduce the quantity of items being smuggled into prisons,” said Asif.

He added that action has been taken against several staff members, and some of them dismissed, for participating in these crimes.

Efforts are also ongoing by Maldives Correctional Service to search prison cells once a month, and to dedicate one gate for entry and exit to the prisons.