Charity forced to change up security

A charity growing fruit and vegetables to feed children has been forced to make security changes after its vehicle was discovered carrying contraband into prison grounds.

In September, Corrections staff intercepted 1.5 grams of methamphetamine, 30 LSD tabs, more than 50g of cannabis, 200g of tobacco and 10 cellphones, found in several packages attached to a delivery truck entering Rimutaka Prison, north of Wellington. A police investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Stuff can now reveal the vehicle was linked to Lower Hutt-based charity Common Unity, which since 2017 has run the Urban Kai Network project, growing and harvesting fruit and vegetables at five ‘‘urban farms’’ on the prison’s grounds.

More than 30 inmates, seven charity staff and a base of 300 volunteers harvest the crops, which are made into meals at their community kitchen and base, the ReMakery in Lower Hutt, and distributed around the community to at least four schools and Women’s Refuge.

Common Unity founder Julia Milne said that last year 40,000 meals were produced as a result of the project.

But the contraband find had meant changes had been made to the way the charity and Corrections operate. ‘‘It was very clear that it was no-one within our organisation ... at no stage were we ever considered to be doing it ourselves as an organisation and Corrections has been deeply supportive.

‘‘We have had a lot of conversations about how we can strengthen our relationship and help with the investigation,’’ Milne said. The charity now had to ensure its vehicles were under ‘‘constant camera surveillance’’. ‘‘We are an organisation committed to feeding the children and how sad is it we now have to have our vehicles sitting under camera surveillance and going to extraordinary lengths to keep safe, when all we are really trying to do is feed the village.’’ Milne said the incident was ‘‘really frightening’’ for her team, who travel into the prison with volunteers every week’’.

‘‘[But] we are really committed to our work there, we don’t give up, no matter how scary it is, we don’t give up.’’

A Corrections spokesman said that since the discovery of the contraband, any gardening materials entering the prison were manually screened, before being transferred to a site-based vehicle for internal transportation.

‘‘We are working closely with Common Unity to ensure they can safely deliver their services and continue to visit the prison.’’

The charity was hit by another blow in recent weeks, after thieves smashed a window at the ReMakery and stole three manaia carvings, carved and gifted by prisoners. Milne said the theft of the ‘‘cherished taonga’’ brought ‘‘deep pain and disbelief’’ to the charity and wider community. ‘‘The manaia symbolised guardianship, that is why we had them sitting by our door. They are loved by our community and are a constant reminder and connection to the work we do,’’ she said.

Milne said the charity remained unsure whether the two incidents were linked.

Police were making inquiries, including examining whether there may be any security footage of use, a spokeswoman said.

Milne said the ‘‘worst case scenario’’ would be if the charity had to stop growing produce at the prison.

A Corrections spokesman said an extensive range of methods were used to prevent contraband entry. ‘‘These include perimeter security; camera surveillance; searches of staff, contractors and visitors, and their vehicles; scanners and X-ray technology; specialist detector dog teams (including dogs that can detect cellphones); and prisoner telephone monitoring.

‘‘Technology is rapidly advancing and we are always working to stay ahead of offenders’ attempts to manipulate our security processes,’’ he said.

Last year, Stuff revealed a police investigation was looking into allegations Rimutaka Prison staff smuggled contraband, including drugs, to inmates, laundered money through their bank accounts and forged official documents. Much of the suspected illicit activity is thought to have been for Mongrel Mob gang members but there may also be links to organised crime groups overseas. The staff involved were allegedly given money as payment.

A police spokeswoman said there were no updates to the investigation and inquiries were ongoing.

‘‘We now have to have our vehicles sitting under camera surveillance.’’ JuliaMilne

Common Unity