In a five-month investigation 14 suspects were arrested and face 43-charges for drug trafficking, according to a report on Mar. 8, by the National Post. Of the 14 arrested, eight suspects were directly linked to smuggling drugs into the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility.
The investigation was prompted in Oct. 2012, after a correction officer was charged with breach of trust and possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.
An internal investigation was then launched to consider improvements in the effectiveness of the current background screenings and hiring process of correctional officers.
Correctional Services director Sean Kelly said in a statement on Mar. 8, "We’ve looked across other jurisdictions at best practices and over the coming months we will take steps to strengthen security and background checks and put more stringent hiring standards in place.”
"In the meantime, we’ve also reinforced policies with existing staff and we will continue to closely monitor all of our facilities and act on anything suspicious,” Anderson said.
Justice Minister Ross Landry, reportedly had concerns about the negative public image of correctional officers in light of the scandal.
“I truly hope that these allegations do not taint the public’s view of this important profession and the hard-working Nova Scotians do a very tough job honestly and ethically every day,” Landry said in the statement.
Two accused officers were terminated in light of their drug trafficking charges. No details were released on the specific type or types of drugs involved in the trafficking case.
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