EMPLOYEES of the Department of Corrections could soon be subjected to random drug testing, as the department moves to consolidate a dramatic cut in drug trafficking in the island’s prisons.

Commissioner of Corrections Major Richard Reese said ongoing random drug testing was among recommendations that would be discussed shortly with the seven unions representing workers at the institution, to secure further cuts in drug trafficking in prison.

“Currently we do testing for entry levels when they are applying for the job. We don’t have any policy regarding ongoing random testing like some organisations,” Reese said in an Observer interview, responding to media reports on drug trafficking in prison.

“So it’s something that we will have to discuss with the ministry and we would have to discuss it with the unions and the Services Commission; it all has to be done in the context of what is also legal,” Reese said. “We know that there are persons who are taking controlled substances, we don’t have an alarming number of cases but it’s a safeguard in terms of performance… persons can develop addictions to cope so it’s prudent…”

Reese also disclosed that drug trafficking in prison had been reduced by a substantial 50 per cent, attributing that to the work of the Caribbean Search Centre (CSC).

He said authorities had confiscated 2,218 balls of ganja in 2006, compared with 4,092 of the $20 balls of ganja the previous year. Based on the number of searches conducted and the number of persons caught in comparison to previous years, this marked a “successful operation”, Reese said.

“On average last year we convicted two to three persons a month, not just staff but visitors and staff. There has been a consistent reduction in ganja use (and) there is some fluctuation in the use of cell phones, but as we roll out programmes you will see a reduction there too,” he said.

Reese said the Corrections Department had been improving its own drug interdiction programme, resulting in a reduction and an increase in the number of apprehensions, and he warned that plans were in the making to increase the fines associated with pecuniary dealing and trafficking.

“We also note that the magistrates have been giving stiffer sentences; at present the maximum is 12 months, compared to, for example, $300 or 10 days previously,” he added.

“When they are caught they are not given a chance. When they are charged and they have a criminal record, their services are terminated; it’s not just a question of losing your job, you are not able to be employed in a number of security-related functions. It precludes you from a number of jobs,” the commissioner pointed out, obviously referring to correctional officers who were involved in the illegal activity.

But Reese moved to head off conflict with the correctional officers, saying he planned to hold discussions with their representatives on the recommended measures which covered surveillance, revised search policies and access control.

The unions to take part in the consultations are the Union of Clerical, Administrative and Supervisory Employees (UCASE), Social Workers in Action for Progress, the Jamaica Federation of Corrections, the University and Allied Worker’s Union (UAWU), the Senior Officers Association, the Probation Aftercare Officers Staff Association and the Jamaica Civil Service Association.