The Nation - News from July 26, 1987

At least 200 of Philadelphia’s 1,200 prison guards may be involved in a scheme to smuggle drugs and weapons to inmates and overlook their escapes in exchange for cash and sex, according to reports. A county grand jury is investigating the allegations at the city’s four prisons and has heard testimony from a Holmesburg Prison inmate, who said that prisoners were running the institution with help from the guards, the Philadelphia Daily News reported. The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW-TV and WPVI-TV had similar reports on the investigation. Authorities have declined to comment. The informer reportedly told the Daily News that some guards are on a weekly payroll.