Dept sacks 18 errant prison staff

The Department of Corrections has dismissed 18 prison officials for committing various crimes including taking bribes, bringing in illicit drugs, mobile phones and other prohibited items into prisons.

Another 193 prison officials have also been disciplined for less serious offences.

Speaking after a meeting yesterday, department director-general Pol Col Naras Savestanan said the meeting resolved to punish 18 officials after probes into their conduct found them guilty.

One official was fired after being found guilty of taking bribes from inmates’ relatives to “provide convenience” for inmates escorted by officials to perform community service outside prisons, the department chief said.

Another official was sacked for smuggling mobile phones for inmates into their cells while another official was found guilty of abusing his authority to demand “extra money” from a business operator who hired prisoners to make shoes. The money was apart from the amount agreed upon in a contract between the business and the prison.

Three officials were fired for being negligent in allowing prisoners to use mobile phones while one official was found guilty of smuggling a total of 1,993 tramadol pills in for inmates, according to Pol Col Naras.

Three officials were sacked after they abandoned their work for more than 15 days, Pol Col Naras said.

Three other officials were fired on charges of raping and illegally detaining others. Another official was found to have been involved in a gang smuggling mobile phones into prison cells.

Another official was sacked after the court sentenced him to one year in jail for falsifying state documents.

Another official was fired after he was found in possession of four mobile phones, SIM cards and battery chargers during a prison raid by a Corrections Department task force unit on Nov 16 last year, Pol Col Naras said. He added the meeting also resolved to dismiss one official found guilty of committing adultery.

Three officials lost their jobs after they were found hiding mobile phones in their shirt pockets before entering prison grounds. They were also suspected of involvement in drugs after they told people on the internet that they could supply drugs to them.

The department has also taken disciplinary action against a further 193 prison officials found guilty of various offences. Punishments include salary reductions, being put on probation, being put on extra duty, being held in confinement, and being reprimanded.