Drugs available in prison, says lawyer

Press, 23 November 1987, Page 37

Drugs available in prison, says lawyer

PA Auckland Illicit drugs are freely available in Mount Eden Prison, a lawyer has told the District Court, at Auckland.

Mr David Jones, acting for George William Maihi, said his client had a "grave drug problem” and had access to drugs while on remand at the prison. Only once, out of the five visits to take instructions, was Maihi coherent Mr Jones said that on one court appearance Maihi found it difficult to stand and did not comprehend questions put by the Judge. The Judge remanded him to Mount Eden "so he could straighten out” over the week-end. Mr Jones said that at the time he told the Judge Maihi had, in fact, been on remand at the prison lor two weeks. ” Mr Jones told Ju<ge D. B. Pain “•’•'’'Oraritly

there are pills available” in the prison as well as other “illicit drugs.”

Judge Pain said the drugs problem should be raised with prison authorities.

“A man with his problems, who some way has access to illicit drugs in prison, is a matter of grave concern to the Court and the community,” he said. Maihi, aged 27, a Panmure storeman, was appearing for sentence on chages of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, attempted car conversion, possession of keys capable of being used to take a car, intentional damage, possessing a knife and being found in circumstances which indicated he was preparing to commit a crime.

Mr Jones submitted that Maihi was in need of urgent heln to rid hims* >,/

of his chronic drug addiction. He recommended a term of periodic detention and supervision. A prison sentence "would be a retrograde step,” as Maihi could get hold of drugs in Mount Eden. Maihi committed the offences while under the influence of drugs. Judge Pain said Maihi had a long history of offending. It had been treated with leniency in the past and he had not responded. A communitybased sentence would not be appropriate. Judge Pain sentenced Maihi to a total of 12 months jail on all charges.

“I am concerned about some of your counsel’s submissions regarding your access to drugs. However, I would expect that you would have no access to illicit drugs if you are serving a prison the Judge said.