29 June 2009

Prison contraband?

| johnboy
Join the conversation
12

Jeremy Hanson is very excited by what he sees as a slip from John Hargreaves on prison security.

    “Minister for Corrections John Hargreaves has let it slip that the reason drugs, razor blades and other contraband got inside the Alexander Maconochie Centre was because an important security system that would have prevented this breach safety was not operational, despite assurances that prisoners would not be accepted into the AMC until it was safe,” Shadow Minister for Corrections Jeremy Hanson said today.

    “On 31 March 2009, I asked Mr Hargreaves: ‘Has there been any downgrading of the security specifications at the AMC in order to rush the commissioning?’
    MR HARGREAVES: No. (Question Time Hansard, 31 March 2009)

    When drugs and other banned items were found, Mr Hargreaves confessed:

    ‘We do not have in operation at the moment a machine called the SOTAR system. The SOTAR is an x-ray system … Now once that SOTAR is done then that – we believe that that probably would have prevented the entry of that stuff into the centre. (ACT Budget debate, Thursday 25 June 2009.)

But hey, it’s open and it’s human rights compliant. Who cares about safety?

Join the conversation

12
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

FC said :

Wait a minute. Do other prison’s have X ray equipment. I don’t recall the equipment being used at BRC or Symonston.

I know BRC didnt have an x-ray machine, but did have a hand metal detector. I do know that the new youth detention centre near Mitchell has x-ray and a metal detector as does Goulburn gaol..

There is a an airport style x-ray machine that has been operational since the gaol went “live”. There is also a metal detector that you go through in order to gain access to the site..

Then again I’ve heard that tennis balls are usually thrown over the wall with goodies in them

Maybe Mr Hargraves should move the x-ray machine from the court house, Priotise Priotise!

xray machine or not – there will always be contraband of varying sorts inside a prison.

amarooresident23:47 pm 29 Jun 09

Wasn’t there an article the other day about the equipment awaiting approval from the relevant authorities?

Wow. Contraband smuggled inside a prison. Tell me you’re not surprised?

What does the use of this equipment have to do with the prisoners feeling loved?

Wait a minute. Do other prison’s have X ray equipment. I don’t recall the equipment being used at BRC or Symonston.

Actually, do our human rights respecting prison authorities actually call the inmates prisoners? Maybe they think thats too harsh a work for the little luvvies, and call them clients, or guests, or rehabilitees, or something kinder?

You’re looking at things the wrong way. The important question is “do the prisoners feel loved?”

neanderthalsis1:51 pm 29 Jun 09

Hmmmm, an ACT prison lacking Xray equipment to prevent cons and visitors from bringing in contraband. Why am I not surprised.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.