By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) was sent 10 questions by The Record concerning numerous press releases partially detailing contraband seizures at local penitentiaries.
The reply left more questions than answers.
The following is the email The Record sent, at the Communications Advisor’s request, and the response received.
Readers of The Record may remember it was reported Aug. 17 that Kevin Antonucci, CSC Senior Communications Advisor, Issues Management and Media Relations, declined a request for an interview with a decision-maker and asked that questions be sent by email.
10 questions by email (Sent Monday, Sept. 11, 2023)
“The Record has some general questions about contraband seizures in the Drummondville and Cowansville institutions:
We have calculated that, over around the last month, $537,875 in contraband has been seized in Drummondville, and $220,490 in Cowansville.
1) Are these numbers high or low compared to the national average?
2) Are these numbers trending up or down?
3) Why is Drummondville more than double Cowansville?
4) Are the lists of items seized complete – are hard drugs and weapons also seized but not mentioned?
5) Are arrests often made related to these seizures?
6) How is it possible to use these items inside the institution, given the level of surveillance etc.?
7) How is the value calculated for the contraband?
8) What recent novel techniques have been introduced to reduce these numbers?
9) Are employees of the institutions often implicated in these seizures?
10) Do you have an idea of what is getting through and being used illicitly in these institutions?”
