Prison drug smuggling ring busted, state corrections officials say
Following a protest in response to a string of violence and deaths at state prisons and amid continuing talks about potential prison construction, South Dakota officials say they've busted a ring of drug smuggling in prison facilities and imposed a non-contact visit policy.
No drug charges have been filed, according to a Thursday news release from the state Department of Corrections, which said an investigation is ongoing involving its Inspector General's Office, the state Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. postmaster general.
'If the results of the investigation warrant prosecution, criminal charges will be sought,' the news release said. 'We will continue to counter every attempt to introduce dangerous contraband into our facilities.'
10 injured in prison violence days after protests over security and inmate treatment
The news release said three methods of drug delivery into prisons were identified and stopped:
Through the use of counterfeit packages imitating well-known manufacturers with drugs sent in through the packages.
Through false use of the privileged mail system, such as counterfeit legal mail.
And through the actions of visitors, including family members and friends, bringing drugs into the prison during visitation.
The press release went on to say that three inmate deaths — one in February and two this month — were linked to drug overdoses on the penitentiary campus in Sioux Falls.
The Department of Corrections has also imposed non-contact visits for family and friends of inmates 'in certain facilities,' the press release said. It also said 'non-contact visits may be expanded to other prison facilities' and 'additional policy changes are also under review.'
'We wanted to ensure that the public is aware of the work that has been done in these cases. We are taking action to keep staff and inmates safe,' said a quote in the news release from Secretary of Corrections Kellie Wasko.
The drug investigation is occurring against the backdrop of activism against prison conditions and inmate treatment, including a protest Friday by about 50 people. Meanwhile, the state's Project Prison Reset task force is considering plans to construct new prison facilities. The group's next meeting is Tuesday in Pierre.
SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
NYC Corrections, cops help give away hundreds of bikes to needy kids: ‘It keeps the positivity going'
They're braking cycles! Hundreds of needy Big Apple kids got free bikes at an event hosted by city Corrections officers and the NYPD on Friday — as parents from hardscrabble areas gushed that the giveaway helped youngsters feel less fearful of figures in uniform. Roughly 400 kids and teens got brand-new bicycles, donated by Department of Corrections workers, at the event dubbed 'Christmas in July' at JHS 231 in Springfield Gardens, Queens. 3 Around 400 children living across the Big Apple received free bikes at an event hosted by the NYPD, along with the Department of Corrections, on Friday. James Messerschmidt NYPD workers provided the venue — the department's summer youth police academy — and helped teach bike safety. 'It keeps the positivity going in the neighborhood, you know, it's a good thing to see NYPD, Corrections [doing this],' said Michelle Pemberton, a 55-year-old DMV worker, whose grandsons got bikes at the event. 'Children grow up and usually look at these kind of figures and think of fear, and [authorities are] opening the door up to brightness for them and showing them that there's positive, like models from these agencies,' she said. 'It's a good thing.' Keyarah Robinson, 17, scored a turquoise mountain bike at the giveaway. 'I like it, I like it for my age,' she told The Post. 'It's very good for my height. I don't have to sit here and feel uncomfortable on my bike.' 3 The event, dubbed 'Christmas in July,' took place at JHS 231 in Springfield Gardens, Queens. James Messerschmidt Tazion Authers, 7, landed a blue bike. 'I like this bike because it has blue stuff,' the boy said. The children's mom, Patrice Tucker, 41, a daycare worker who was at the event with her four kids, all of whom got bikes, said, 'It's really nice. 'Merry Christmas,' she said. Detective Tanya Duhaney of the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau said many of the children at the event live at nearby shelters. 3 The majority of the children at the event live in nearby shelters, as Detective Tanya Duhaney of the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau said, 'It is important to let our kids know that we do care about them.' James Messerschmidt 'It is important to let our kids know that we do care about them. It's summertime, and we want to just engage them and also teach them to give back,' she said. 'We're here to do our jobs and at that is to protect and serve. And this is the service part of us giving back and showing these kids that we're not robots. We're human just like them.' Christmas in July, which began in 2018, raked in a total of roughly 700 bikes for kids, the rest of which will be given away at a later date, Duhaney said. The bikes were bought as part of a competition between the city's jails, organizers said. 'It is extremely special for us because one of our most fundamental values is an agency is care, and it's care not only for our staff and people in custody but also for the communities that we serve,' said DOC Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie. 'Each facility, they challenged each other and made it a real competition, and they were really excited to be able to do that so we could give back to the community,' the commish said. 'One of the things I would just want to point out is, children in our communities, regardless of social status, they should have access to bikes and books and resources that are critical to make sure that they thrive. And as a mom, that's really important. I'm really proud of my bonus family.'
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Miami Herald
Wife shoots and kills husband during argument at their Maryland home, police say
A Maryland woman was arrested on murder charges after authorities said she fatally shot her husband while arguing with him. Nicole Lanett Ward, 50, of Bowie, is in custody without bond, the Prince George's County Police Department said in a July 21 news release. Officers were sent to Ward's home around 1:45 a.m. on July 19, and they found her husband, Damian Ward, 53, injured from being shot, according to police. He died at the house, which he shared with Nicole Ward, police said. Attorney information for Nicole Ward was not immediately available. Nicole Ward told police that she discovered her husband was having an 'affair with another woman' by seeing 'photos and messages' on a second phone he used, Fox 5 Washington DC reported, citing charging documents. The discovery led to the argument, and Nicole Ward telling Damian Ward to 'pack his bags and leave the house,' police said, according to the TV station's report. She is accused of shooting him with a revolver. Nicole Ward is facing first- and second-degree murder charges as well as 'related' offenses, according to authorities. She is in state Department of Corrections custody. If anyone has information about Damian Ward's death, the Prince George's County Police Department said a homicide detective can be reached by calling at 301-516-2512. Tips can also be shared with Crime Solvers online, the 'P3 Tips' app or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). 'You can remain anonymous,' police said. 'Please refer to case number 25-0039740.' Bowie is about a 30-mile drive southwest from Baltimore.
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
New York to make phone calls free in its state prisons
New York will soon make phone calls free in its state prisons, officials said Tuesday. People who are incarcerated in the state's prisons currently receive three free, 15-minute phone calls a week. After that, the calls cost 2.4 cents a minute. The state corrections department will begin to lift that charge starting Aug. 1, releasing a statement that said "improved family connection reduces tension and conflict inside facilities." "Understanding the value of family ties while in prison is crucial — not only for emotional support, but for improving an individual's outcomes while incarcerated and when returning to society, thus reducing recidivism," said Daniel Martuscello, commissioner of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. New York City jails have offered free phone calls since 2019. Connecticut was the first to implement the policy statewide and a handful of other states have since set up similar models. The New York state corrections department said the cost of the policy is included in its operating budget.
