An inmate and visitor were caught smuggling drugs at SCI Houtzdale in Clearfield County Sunday afternoon.
We’re told it happened when security noticed an inmate put an item in his mouth that he got from his female visitor.
Officials said when employees at the facility went to end the visit, the inmate got up and started walking with them, but then attempted to flee. The inmate was then taken to the ground. However, staff was unable to recover the item before the inmate swallowed it. He was placed in a special cell where staff awaited the passing of the item.
As this was happening, we’re told his visitor admitted to having drugs in her locker in the prison lobby.
She’s now in custody.
The communications director for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections said this isn’t the first drug-related incident at this prison recently. On August 23, a prison employee was suspended after a search of his vehicle resulted in the discovery of unauthorized items. The facility is working with PSP on this case.
Also, over the weekend drug smuggling was thwarted at SCI Camp Hill when a female visitor was stopped from smuggling nearly 32 grams of drugs into the prison.
On August 21, the Wolf Administration and DOC officials announced steps being taken to steps to improve safety, security in state prisons.