Government should look into having independent contractors operate ion scan machines - used to detect illegal drugs - in the Island's prisons, an Opposition Senator said yesterday.

The call came from Neville Darrell who highlighted concerns about drugs getting into prisons during budget debates in the Upper Chamber.

Drugs get into prison through a variety of means, including being thrown over the fence onto the grounds, through visitors and the inmates themselves, he said.

But "the other sad truth we have to face is the drugs are often brought into prison by staff," he added.

"It may be a better strategy to have an independent contractor run the ion scan machine."

He added that the contractor chosen could be compensated based on the amount of drugs interdicted by the machines.

Earlier Government Senator David Burch, who had introduced the topic, said that the use of sniffer dogs in conjunction with the ion scanners helped to bring objectivity to the searches.

"I have no less tolerance for contraband in the prisons than I have for contraband in my community," the Senator said.

He also suggested that sniffer dogs used in prison drug searches be kept to one prison instead of used at multiple locations, a measure which could provide better security and be safer for the animals.