8 Jul 2011

New drug detection technology at prison

11:22 am on 8 July 2011

New drug detection technology is to be introduced at New Zealand's newest prison.

Mount Eden prison director Steve Hall says the screening equipment can pick up drug residue on the clothes and skin of inmates.

Mr Hall says it can even be used to track the trail of drugs as they pass through the prison and may help prevent visitors from smuggling the drugs in.

He says the technology is similar to that used at airports to detect bombs.