Prison inmate sneaks in phone, e-cigarette

A Busan prison has launched an investigation into one of its inmates sneaking in banned items into the facility, which sparked security concern at correctional facilities here.

Busan Detention Center said Wednesday it has found an e-cigarette, a smartphone without a sim card, and chargers hidden by one of its inmates. The items were found at a resting area that the inmate in question had been entrusted to manage.

Officials at the prison found out about the violation when another inmate alerted the authorities that the inmate in question smelled like cigarettes. They are conducting an investigation about how the innate snuck in the items, as the inmate in question had undergone a body inspection upon entry.

An official at the detention center told local broadcaster KBS that it appears that the items were not given to the inmate by any of the employees there.

The Ministry of Justice prohibits inmates from bringing in personal items, providing the daily necessities and allowing them to buy certain items from the store. Exceptions are allowed for those who require medication or other items, or for those who do not have the money to buy daily necessities sold at correctional facilities.

Those who sneak in items to correctional facilities are subject to criminal punishment for violating the Administration and Treatment of Correctional Institution Inmates Act.

Last year, a 28-year-old inmate at Yeongwol Correctional Institution in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, was caught smoking four cigarettes inside a bathroom, sneaking in the banned item by having his brother leave a pack in the bathroom. He was sentenced to a 4 million won ($2,800) fine in a January ruling by the Yeongwon Branch of the Chuncheon District Court.