Security sweep at city prison nets contraband

A cordon and search operation mounted by security organs early Saturday morning unearthed an assortment of prohibited substances including illicit brew, match boxes and external food, all of which the police says could be a risk. The operation was part of an existing partnership between Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS), Police and the Rwandan Defence Forces. Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police Damas Gatare, told reporters that prisoners are legally not allowed to bring in such material and that the prison has its own system of providing inmates with lawful necessities. “Inmates have a visiting day every Friday and those with special needs are visited every day. Every last Saturday of a month, they also get visits from family members. In all those visiting sessions, only items that would not compromise the security of inmates and the prison are accepted,” Gatare said. “These substances, especially the local brew, are harmful and apart from inside prisons, citizens all over the country are not supposed to consume them”. Nonetheless, Gatare stressed that prisons are safe as prison security officials are vigilant enough. The law establishing the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS), which he said, provides for impromptu search operations in prisons.