Drugs inside Sask Pen nets inmate extra time

Jan 17, 2019 | 4:17 PM

A recent case out of Prince Albert Provincial Court emphasizes the pressures prison inmates sometimes face when trying to avoid gangs and negative behaviour inside the institution.

A man currently housed in the Saskatchewan Penitentiary was sentenced in court Wednesday on a charge of possession of drugs for the purposes of trafficking. The man admitted to trying to conceal three grams of cannabis resin in an effort to pay back gang members over a prior debt.

Court heard the cannabis resin had a street value of about $500, but could fetch up to $1,000 inside the penitentiary. The man was was due to be released from jail in the spring but will now have to serve an extra four months after pleading guilty to the drug charge.

paNOW has chosen not to reveal the name of the inmate. His defence lawyer told the court the man fears for his safety.

Representing the Crown, lawyer Daniel Arnot told the court that trafficking within institutions is a serious problem that undermines inmate rehabilitation, leads to violence amongst inmates and threatens the health and safety of correctional officers and others. Arnot asked for additional jail time of 18 months in the matter.

“Inmates are often ingesting or inserting items into their body, which is inherently dangerous,” Arnot said, adding that the inmate “was contributing to the cycle of criminality” within the jail.

Court heard the man tried to conceal the drugs during a visit last June. The inmate and a woman lifted a toddler up to cover cameras before handing over the cannabis resin. The inmate then put the baggie of drugs into his mouth and was seen visibly struggling to swallow while pretending to chew on peanuts. Guards became suspicious, however, and noted the bag of peanuts on the table was un-opened.

The inmate was placed in what’s called a “dry cell” and later forced himself to regurgitate the drugs. Rebecca Crookshanks, the man’s lawyer, said he was cooperative with guards, telling them the drugs were “shatter,” or cannabis resin, and how he became involved in the incident. Crookshanks suggested an extra two months of jail time, saying he is remorseful for his actions but felt significant pressure from other inmates to participate.

“Sometimes, standing up to that pressure is going to be difficult,” Crookshanks said.

While cannabis resin is not in the same category as some other, more powerful drugs, Provincial Court Judge Steven Schiefner said it is still a controlled substance. Schiefner noted the man’s personal circumstances but said “even bringing in a small amount of a less dangerous drug will result in a significant extension of your sentence.”

“I understand that it can be difficult in the institution,” Schiefner added. “Trafficking of any drug is a problem.”

 

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt