This is the second of a two-part series with Health Minister Harry Soares on the problems and future of the Prison Service.

*** Health Minister Harry Soares is looking to bring visitors who smuggle cash into prison to justice.

Mr. Soares acknowledged that there were drugs in the prisons but prisoners caught with cash were treated as strictly as those caught with other contraband.

"In our defence I understand that in virtually all prisons in the western hemisphere, drugs are a concern and are in prisons. US, Canada, the UK -- we all have the same problem.

"The prisons routinely have random searches and random drug tests,'' said Mr.

Soares. "We deal with cash just as strictly because it's used to buy drugs and alcohol.'' Testing positively for drugs or alcohol or being caught in possession of drugs, alcohol or cash were acted against immediately through the proper authorities and resulted in an inmate losing the chance of early release.

Mr. Soares said officials know the money is getting in through visitors primarily as they have been caught handing over cash to inmates but while the inmates can have charges brought against them, the visitors cannot.

"Something I'm looking to do is bring charges against people who bring money into inmates,'' he said.

"I want to take action to the fullest extent of the law against people who bring contraband in to prison whether it be drugs, money or anything else but it is impossible to stop everything getting in where human beings are involved.'' Mr. Soares also stepped up his defence of prison officers who have generally been accused of wrongdoing.

Mr. Soares added: "I don't know how the drugs are getting in. I have had people who accused prison officers of aiding and abetting contraband coming into prisons.

"But there is no evidence that any officers are involved in any untoward activity.'' He appealed to the public for help.

"If anyone should have any information to the contrary they can contact me. I will not disclose their name in any way whatsoever because in the unlikely event that any officer is involved in anything it is grossly unfair to all of the hard working officers that we have.'' He stressed: "I will leave no stone unturned in our quest to stop contraband going into prisons. If the public can help me, please help me in confidence.'' In response to recent news that inmates were escaping from the Prison Farm in the dead of night, Mr. Soares said: "I too have had people tell me they have seen inmates out on occasion.

"Prison officers often volunteer their own time to take inmates out and help them get reassimilated in society.'' But he added that while he had heard of inmates getting out at night, he had not seen any proof.