INMATES FAIL DRUG TESTS

ONE in five drug tests carried out in Tasmanian prisons last year showed up
positive.

Of the 571 tests conducted during 2007, 126 showed inmates were on drugs.

Director of Prisons Graeme Barber said testing was done on a regular basis
and reported monthly.

The inmates were either picked from a random computer list or targeted if
they were suspected of taking drugs.

Those caught face disciplinary action or sanctions but are also recommended
for drug courses.

But Mr Barber said drug testing was not a deterrent in itself.

"A number of strategies need to be put into place to reduce the use and
harm of illicit substances," he said.

The Law Society of Tasmania's criminal committee head Kim Baumeler said the
figure was lower than she would have expected.

"The perception is there is a large problem with drug use in the prison,"
she said. "These results show it might not be as big as we're led to believe."

Since the prison redevelopment she said that screening procedures for
visitors had become even more rigorous, including a sniffer dog.

But in the past couple of years she has represented clients who have tried
to smuggle drugs in.

Prison Action Reform legal adviser Greg Barns said the figures were a
reflection that inmates were suffering.

"While we continue to imprison people in uncivilised conditions people will
continue to alleviate the pain by taking drugs," he said.

"The boot is on the Government's foot to fix it."

He said it also showed a lack of adequate drug rehabilitation programs.

Of the 441 negative results there were 37 excluded for either testing too
soon after inmates were jailed, samples becoming accidentally compromised
or inmates being on approved medication.

There were also four refusals, which are counted as positive results.

Mr Barber would not comment on how inmates were tested or how the drugs got
into the prison.