Prisoners at the Sudbury Jail are under lockdown this week because guards suspect some of them were using illegal drugs over the weekend.
“Over the weekend some jail staff noticed an odour that suggested drug use. They couldn't pinpoint the location as it was in the jail's ventilation system,” said Stewart McGetrick, communications officer with the Ontario Ministry of Safety and Correction Services.
As a result, on Monday morning as part of normal jail procedure, staff enacted a lockdown policy.
Prisoners are confined to their cells while staff are searching the premises.
“Essentially it means the prisoners lose their privileges - access to exercise and regular programs. Until the search is finished the lockdown continues and as of 1 pm Tuesday, I can say the policy is still in effect.”
Lockdowns can be common in jails if staff suspect the presence of drugs, weapons, pornography or anything else prisoners are not allowed to possess, said McGetrick.
“Sometimes staff will conduct a random search for materials not allowed because the prison system believes this is a very important issue.”
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