A 19-year-old man was arrested this week after he tried to break into a South Carolina prison with contraband. It happened Wednesday at Tyger River Correctional Institute in Spartanburg County.
Man arrested for trying to break into prison with drugs
According to the South Carolina Department of Corrections, Nathaniel Jose Perez was found between the inner and outer fence suffering from cuts he received from the fence’s razor wire.
They say a large hole had been cut into the fence, and some pieces of what appeared to be Perez’s clothing were found stuck there. He was spotted after staff members were alerted to activity in the upper prison yard.
Officers confiscated four backpacks filled with contraband that included marijuana, cellphones, tobacco, alcohol, and other items which Perez attempted to drop off for prisoners for monetary gain.
Perez was taken to a local hospital where he was treated and released to the Spartanburg County Detention Center.
Perez is charged with trespassing onto a correctional facility, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and attempting to furnish prisoners with contraband.
Backpacks full of drugs, booze and cell phones
Breaking into prison with contraband is extremely rare, but it’s not unheard of. Prisons have a thriving economy of all things from drugs to alcohol, cigarettes, food and steroids. With such a high demand for these items, prisoners have come up with some creative ways to get their products.
The most common way contraband makes its way into prison is from corrections officers. When the price of some drugs or a cellphone can be marked up 10x from its street price, it’s often too big a temptation to pass up for a corrupt C.O.
Another way of sneaking in contraband is “keistering.” When someone knows they’re heading to jail, they will often wrap drugs in cellophane or a condom and stick it where the sun don’t shine. Yikes.
Other methods include mail and visits with family members. If the visitor is discreet they can quickly pass an item while hugging or shaking hands.
As technology advances, drones have become a problem for prisons. Drones have been used to deliver contraband to inmates, but could also be used to surveil institutions, facilitate escape attempts, or transport explosives.