Ex-correctional officer sentenced to three years in prison for trying to smuggle concentrated cannabis into Nova Scotia jail

The Northeast Nova Scotia Correctional Facility. – Government of Nova ScotiaArticle contentA former Nova Scotia correctional officer who was busted for attempting to smuggle drugs into the facility where he worked will serve two concurrent three-year sentences in a federal prison.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentJustice Bryna Hatt handed down the punishment to Robert McLaughlin at the Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Pictou on Wednesday. The 42-year-old was caught entering the Northeast Nova Scotia Correctional Facility (NNSCF) near New Glasgow with 110 grams of concentrated cannabis, commonly referred to as ‘shatter,’ divided into two packages wrapped in plastic and electrical tape on Sept. 3, 2023.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentAn estimate from the prosecution placed the value of the contraband at $55,000 in the inflated jail market. McLaughlin pleaded guilty to breach of trust and one count of possession for the purpose of distributing under the Cannabis Act ahead of his sentencing.Article content“The opportunity for Mr. McLaughlin’s offence was only available to him because of the trust bestowed on him by the justice system, including correctional services, fellow correctional officers, inmates, and the public at large,” Hatt said in her ruling. “Mr. McLaughlin flagrantly broke this trust in the pursuit of personal gain at the expense of the integrity and safety of the staff and inmates at NNSCF.”Article contentIn providing the background of the crime, Hatt detailed how McLaughlin conspired with an inmate named Marcus Denny and a contact on the outside over the course of approximately one month. She also explained that McLaughlin was to be paid for his role in the crime.Article contentBecause of the amount of time and planning involved in the scheme, Hatt concluded pre-meditation had to be factored into the length of the sentence. But she also weighed that against other elements working in McLaughlin’s favour, such as being a first-time offender and expressing remorse. In that regard, Hatt referred to him as having “positive rehabilitative potential.”Article contentArticle contentBut Hatt then considered the balance of those variables against the original core component of his offence, which was his “egregious breach of trust.”Article contentArticle content“Evidence was accepted in (a related) hearing about the risks associated with drugs in the facility, including increases in violence between inmates, overdosing, dependence, damage to property and creation of debts between inmates,” Hatt said. “Mr. McLaughlin knew the packages were shatter and attempted to introduce them into NNSCF.Article content“Mr. McLaughlin was bringing the drug packages to Mr. Denny. It is only logical that Mr. McLaughlin was aware that Mr. Denny would be selling and promoting its use within the institution. In doing so, Mr. McLaughlin was creating a risk for every inmate, staff person, and guest within the facility, undermining public confidence and the expectation of safety and the role of rehabilitation in the facility, and by extension, the administration of justice itself. Mr. McLaughlin exploited his correctional officer role, a role that provided him with trust and unparalleled access to secure areas of NNSCF.”