Former prison guard sentenced to 13 months

HONOLULU (AP) - A 38-year-old former prison guard convicted of smuggling cigarettes into Halawa Correctional Facility and selling them to inmates has been sentenced to 13 months in prison.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports John Joseph Kalei Hall sold cartons of cigarettes for $500 to members of a gang, United Samoan Organization, helping it to thrive in the prison.

U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor said Thursday at sentencing that Hall deserves prison time because he promoted activity he was hired to prevent.

Federal prosecutor Michael David Nammar says Hall over a year took in $10,000 to $30,000 and that he tipped off inmates when contraband searches would occur.

Hall resigned in February.

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