The parliament approved the criminalisation of mobile phones in Central Prison with strict penalties.
MPs approved amendments to the Prisons Law to prohibit the possession, use, import and export of mobile phones and prohibited items or substances in or from prisons, as well as attempts to commit these acts.
The new regulations establish three offences.
The first criminalises possession, use, import and export of mobile phones in or from prisons, as well as attempts to commit these acts, by any person whether a detainee or not. The penalty is imprisonment not exceeding two years and/or a fine not exceeding €6,000.
The second criminalises possession, use, import and export of prohibited items in or from prisons, as well as attempts to commit these acts, by any person whether a detainee or not. The penalty is imprisonment not exceeding two years and/or a fine not exceeding €6,000.
The third criminalises commission of the above offences by a Prison Department staff member. The penalty is imprisonment not exceeding three years and/or a fine not exceeding €10,000.
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