The Hartford Courant
4:19 p.m. EST, November 16, 2011
CHESHIRE—
Illegal drugs and cell phones were found in the Cheshire Correctional Institution, and two state agencies are trying to found out why.
Two small packets of marijuana and four cell phones were confiscated from inmates during searches on Nov. 7 and Nov. 8, said Andrius Banevicius, a spokesman for the state Department of Correction. Prisoners are not allowed to have cell phones.
The correction department and the state police are investigating, state and union officials said Wednesday.
"At this point, we have no idea where it came from," said Lisamarie Fontano, president of the AFSCME Local 387, which represents correction officers. It wasn't clear if the contraband was brought into the building by visitors or staff, she said.
Fontano said she would get involved if a corrrection officer is suspected of bringing the items into the prison, she said.
"We have a zero tolerance for dirty staff," she said.
Brian Garnett, another correction spokesman, said it's too early to comment on the contraband because the criminal probe and internal investigation continue.
"We are working with the state police," he said.
Prison officials always are on the lookout for illegal items, he said.
"Contraband is something that we are constantly on the alert for, constantly searching for," Garnett said.
— Hillary Federico contributed to this report.
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