Jails confiscate raw chicken, snow tire

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Canadian federal prison officials in British Columbia say they've confiscated some pretty odd things from inmates, including raw chicken and a snow tire.

The Vancouver Sun reviewed a list of confiscated items in the province's federal prisons between January 2008 and October 2010 and found the usual penitentiary items such as homemade weapons, but also so inexplicable things.

A wooden crab trap was taken from one prisoner's cell, while another was hiding seven pounds of rice. Guards made one seizure of a package of uncooked bacon and another of a full case of fig cookies, the Sun said.

One inmate was apparently planning a feast, but guards thwarted that by taking away a cooked turkey breast complete with stuffing and a side of cranberries, the Sun said.

Although a ban on smoking in federal prisons went into effect in 2008, it appears some prisoners are still smoking both cigarettes and marijuana, the report said. Guards have learned that when inmates run out of rolling papers, they tear pages from small Bibles the Department of Corrections provides.

Officials said Bibles also get hollowed out to conceal smaller contraband items, the Sun said.