A Prison officer was yesterday jailed for six months after he admitted to smuggling in cocaine and cannabis to Westgate Correctional Facility.

Luvoney Smith, 39, was caught with 1.2 grams of cannabis and 0.9 grams of cocaine in a hollowed-out part of his shoe on September 3. Smith apologised for the offence which led to his resignation as a correctional officer, after three-and-a-half-years of service.

He said: "First of all I want to say sorry to the courts, sorry to my family. There is no excuse for what I have done and I have lived in sort of turmoil over this event but at the same time I accept responsibility for what I did.

"Sorry to my family and my prison officers for the shame I have brought on them," he added.

Smith, of Ord Road in Warwick, brought embarrassment upon the Department of Corrections with Commissioner of Corrections Edward Lamb calling it a "foolish act" which was both "deplorable and heinous".

Lt. Col Lamb said: "Whilst I take no pleasure from someone else's demise, there is no room in our society for those in fiduciary positions to violate the trust reposed in them; especially in the field of law enforcement.

"The sentencing today of Mr Smith to a period of imprisonment ought to be a resonant message to all, those in our Department in particular and the Country in general, that we take very seriously our remit to provide a safe and secure environment in our facilities and that we are prepared to utilise the full extent of the law to do so. I hasten to add that I am very appreciative of the Police Service for all their assistance and diligence in this matter.

"Let me reiterate that we in Corrections pride ourselves on being men and women of honour and integrity. Despite repeated clarion calls to our staff for high standards of virtue and deportment, regrettably, Mr Smith's perfidious behaviour proved that he was not able to attain the lofty ideals for which we daily strive and aspire.

"On a more personal note, my thoughts and prayers immediately turn to Mr Smith's family, who now have to bear the brunt of the consequences of his behaviour."

Prison Officers Association Chairman Craig Clarke said Smith had "done the right thing" by admitting his guilt. Mr. Clarke said: "He realised what he did, he realised that he brought discredit on the whole service not only his department. "

"I am sure he recognises that it was a grave mistake in his judgement because what did he have to gain by bringing drugs into the system?"

Yesterday the court heard Smith was driving a car west along Pender Road in Sandys on his way to start his shift at Westgate around 12.40 p.m.

Smith was stopped and searched by Police officers, who had received a tip about the offence — however nothing was found during a brief search of his car and belongings.

Smith was taken to Somerset Police Station where a more detailed inspection found the drugs in the sole of his left work shoe.

Inside the hollowed out insole, officers found three small packages wrapped in clear plastic wrap containing a plant like material believed to be cannabis. They also found three pieces of off white substance, believed to be cocaine.

During an interview, Smith said someone had given him the packages but maintained he didn't know what was in them.

A government analysis determined the drugs to be 1.2 grams of cannabis, with a street value of $50, worth around $200 inside prison. Less than one gram of diamorphine, with a purity of 24 percent was also found. This had a street value of $80, worth around $300 in prison.

Smith maintained the drugs were not for personal use, but for distribution within Westgate.

According to defence lawyer Marc Daniels, Smith was asked to bring the package into the prison for an inmate and "fell victim as a result of him being nice".

Mr. Daniels said: "He comes to the court with hand on heart, apologetic and contrite with the mistake he made."

Magistrate Juan Wolffe sentenced him to six months imprisonment for two counts of drug possession and more jail time could be handed out on Wednesday when the Magistrate will hear legal arguments from both the prosecutor, Cindy Clarke, and Mr. Daniels.

Mr. Wolffe will then determine if the increased penalty zone, namely 100 metres within Westgate Correctional Facility, should merit a heavier sentence.