Czech drug-sniffing dogs to cost €30,000

The Corradino Correctional Facility will spend €30,000 to purchase six drug-sniffing dogs from the Czech Republic, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela revealed.

“The six handlers who will be assigned to these dogs are currently undertaking the required training,” Abela said in response to a parliamentary question by Labour MP Anthony Agius Decelis. “The previous administration had allowed the drug-sniffing dogs in prison to become the inmates’ pets.”

Abela also said that urine tests amongst inmates will be carried out more frequently and that they will be carried out for the first time amongst prison staff.

“Drugs can get flung over the prison walls or enter through visitors, staff and service providers,” Abela said. “Therefore, searches on visitors and service providers have become more rigorous. Prison cannot function as a rehabilitation centre if there are drugs inside it. Therefore, the government has launched an educative and work programme to allow the prisoners to contribute to society from a facility free of vices.”