Opinion ID: 2280192
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Possession of Contraband

Text: Nason argues that he should have been acquitted because the definition of contraband, incorporated by reference pursuant to 17-A M.R.S.A. § 757, should not be read to include scheduled drugs like those in his possession at the time of his search. He contends that to read the definition of contraband as including scheduled drugs, the possession of which is independently criminal under 17-A M.R.S.A. § 1107, is contrary to legislative intent. State v. Bishop, Me., 392 A.2d 20 (1978), is clear authority to the contrary, and we see no reason to overrule that decision. See also State v. Bonney, Me., 427 A.2d 467 (1981). The special problems inherent in supervising prison communities provide rational justification for the legislative determination that possession of scheduled drugs by prison inmates is a separate criminal offense.