SA prison visit crackdown leads to arrests

In a clampdown on jail visits, South Australian police have made several arrests and seized drugs, cash and phones from people trying to slip contraband through to inmates.

Eight people have been arrested since May during a police operation targeting visitors at Mount Gambier, Port Augusta, Mobilong and Yatala prisons.

"If you attempt to smuggle something into prisons you risk no longer being a visitor but becoming a resident," Detective Superintendent Steve Tyler said on Monday.

Police also nabbed 17 drivers under the influence of drugs and two drink drivers while conducting road checks near the prisons, and issued nine notices for cannabis possession.