A registered nurse who smuggled methamphetamine into the Tanumalala Prison while visiting her husband has been jailed for 12 months. 

Sophia Ah Mann, a 23-year-old mother of two, faced the reality of her offence when the Supreme Court Judge Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke delivered the sentence on Tuesday. 

Justice Clarke had dismissed an application for discharge without conviction from the young woman who claimed that a conviction would have significant consequences on her career and future. 

Ah Mann was represented by lawyer Ann Matalasi, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of narcotics. 

The charges relate to an incident on 23 November last year when she visited her husband at Tanumalala Prison.

As part of the mandatory conditions of the prison, a search was carried out of the goods and a body search was conducted on the woman. 

During that body search, a Corrections Officer found the defendant's pants had a plaster on the inside. The white plaster was opened and two zip lock bags containing white crystals were found. The items were assumed to be methamphetamine and the police were contacted.

When police arrived, a search of Sophia’s car was also carried out. 

A white tissue containing another two zip lock bags was also located, containing white crystals. The items found in Sophia’s pants and in the car were confirmed to be methamphetamine, with a total weight of 0.74 grams. 

Justice Clarke said that when a person attempts to smuggle or smuggles drugs into prison, deterrence is a key feature of the sentence. 

In sentencing the defendant, he said this is done with the purpose of denouncing her conduct and to deter her and others from committing the same crime. 

“To do otherwise would only encourage other visitors to the prison to smuggle or attempt to smuggle methamphetamine and other drugs into the prison, contributing to the serious problems referred to in State vs Napia.”

Prosecution sought a two-year starting point, and the defence submitted a non-custodial sentence. 

“In your case Sophia, a clear message must be sent to all who might think of smuggling drugs into any prison facility, but particularly the hard drugs such as methamphetamine, that if you do so and are caughst, you will face a stern sentence – and will in almost all likelihood become an inmate of that very facility,” said Justice Clarke. 

“Equally important is not to add to the many challenges faced by the Prisons Services in keeping Tanumalala Prison safe and drug free within the shoestring budget available to it.”

Time was deducted for the defendant’s early guilty plea, personal circumstances and remorse leaving 12 months to serve.