Some use the bible for inspiration; some use it for a quick buzz.
An inmate at the Drumheller Institution received a 90-day consecutive sentence for possessing a small amount of marijuana resin.
Dale Chalifoux appeared in provincial court in Drumheller on Friday, December 9. He was charged with possession for the purposes of trafficking. He pleaded guilty to simple possession of drugs.
The court heard how on April 3, Chalifoux was observed by a corrections officer receiving a package from another inmate. The package was apprehended and wrapped on cellophane were two bible pages with what are known as smears in them, a layer of cannabis resin.
The 23 year old from Slave Lake has achieved his GED and has a release date of March 2013.
The Federal Prosecutor and defense agreed to joint submission of 90 days consecutive to any sentence he is currently serving.
In another unrelated matter, on Friday, December 16 inmate Jesse Thomson appeared in provincial court in Drumheller. On September 28, during a range walk a corrections officer noted the smell of burning marijuana coming from Thomson’s cell.
Thomson’s cell was searched, and he also underwent a strip search. Officer found in his sock a smear of cannabis resin on a bible page.
He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 45 days consecutive to his present sentence.
Federal prosecutor Colin Kloot explained to the court using a bible page was not an aggravating factor to consider in sentencing. Bible pages are used simply because they are very slim and absorbent.