Firearms could easily have been smuggled into the Island’s jails, according to a review of prison facilities by the Treatment of Offenders Board.

However, according to Lt Col Edward Lamb, the Commissioner of Corrections, such concerns are well known and have resulted in tough countermeasures.

The board’s 2013 annual report, presented in yesterday’s session of the Senate, said that only the vigilance of certain officers prevented “a major catastrophe”.

Last year there were 11 assaults adjudicated in Westgate, plus three cases involving offensive weapons — and 32 offences relating to cell phones, which are prohibited.

There were seven assaults adjudicated for the Co-Ed Facility, and four cell phone offences, as well as one phone offence at the Prison Farm.

The report applauded Corrections officers, who carried out their work “in a very professional manner, often under very trying circumstances”, but said that contraband had presented “an enormous problem” at all three facilities. The situation was made worse by “the relative ease in which items could be thrown over the walls”, it added.

The Board also said it would not be too far-fetched to learn that someone had tossed a firearm over the fence. Security at Westgate in particular has long been a concern of prison officers, who in 2012 marched on Cabinet to demand action. In June of 2013, Michael Dunkley as Public Safety Minister pledged to improve the situation.

Last night, Lt Col Lamb said the threat of smuggled contraband was a constant concern.

“We take stringent measures to interdict and prevent attempts to do so,” he said. “There are a number of methods used to smuggle contraband into facilities and our officers work diligently to mitigate these risks, which I note the TOOB has mentioned. The concerns expressed by the TOOB are not new to us, which is why we employ all the resources at our avail, including personnel, collaboration with the Police Service, cameras and canine units, to ensure that our facilities are safe and secure.”

The Board’s report praised the work of inmates at the Prison Farm to give back to the community through charity projects, which included public speaking to help others avoid making their mistakes.

Inmates have addressed churches, clubs, schools and charities. Lt Col Lamb said the work could not exist without “a huge amount of effort and planning on our part”.

“It is a result of a robust, well-organised and secure programme provided by the Department of Corrections,” he said.