I’M astonished at the endless court cases of drug smuggling attempts during prison visits.

On visiting tables there should be a screen, both top and bottom, so nothing can be passed – also different coloured cups/mugs for inmate and visitor.

This is so logical one can only wonder at prison department’s intelligence. There should be no physical contact – adults or children.

Then we have some interesting questions. How do prisoners manage to pay gold-plated prices for smuggled drugs? Either they have hidden outside cash, from their criminal activity, or the drugs are on credit – which virtually guarantees the inmate immediately returns to crime, in order to pay the debt.

Perhaps the local prison governors would care to comment?

GB Butler, Stockton-on-Tees.