A scanner which is supposed to detect drugs being smuggled into Westgate Correctional Facility has been broken for the past three weeks, it was claimed in the Senate last week.

United Bermuda Party Sen. Kenneth Bascome said on Wednesday that he visited the prison twice in the past two weeks and was told the ion scan machine was broken.

Commissioner of Prisons John Prescod did not return a call to seeking comment last week.

But Progressive Labour Party Sen. Reginald Burrows said Government would investigate the claim.

It is not the first time the ion scanning machine has been the subject of controversy.

Last year Shadow Home Affairs Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said prison guards were turning off the machine or letting others in without checking them.

Sen. Bascome said yesterday: ?The ion scanning machine has not been operating for three and half weeks.

?That?s nor hearsay. I have had the opportunity to visit the facility twice in the past two and a half weeks.?

Sen. Bascome also said prisoners told him the parole board was not meeting regularly, leading to frustration from inmates nearing the end of their sentences who were awaiting a hearing.

And he said prisoners claimed inmates were treated differently because of bias among members of the board. He did not specify the alleged bias.

?The Parole Board should be asked to meet on a regular basis and review people who are able to be assessed,? he said.