This was revealed by Acting Superintendent of Prisons, Lieutenant Colonel John Nurse, who said that daily searches of the prison were still turning up concealed prohibited items.

He added the trend was being fuelled in part by prisoners hoarding resources.

"Simple foodstuff for example might be hoarded because if you can hoard the foodstuff you have something you can trade, and that will create in turn illegal activity," said Nurse.

He made his comments yesterday when Cable & Wireless presented three computers to Her Majesty's Prisons to replace those lost during the March 29 and 30 prison riot, when fires set by prisoners destroyed the Glendairy location.

The telecommunications company donated three Dell personal computers to Nurse, who said the computers would be used by prison officers for inmate management and would assist them in better managing the temporary facility.

C&W chief operations officer Jim Pitchford made the presentation.

Corporate communications manager at C&W, Sara Odle, said that after the March fires the company was approached by prison authorities and was more than happy to assist.