PRISON DRUG REFORM URGED

The Victorian State Coroner has again called for better management of
prisoners with extensive drug histories.

Mr Graeme Johnstone, delivering his finding on Andrew Peter Finch - who
died of a heroin overdose at the Port Phillip Prison in February, 1998-
said prisoners with extensive drug histories needed careful assessment,
monitoring and management.

The court was told that Mr Finch died of a heroin overdose after the drug
was smuggled into the prison by a woman during a contact visit.

Mr Johnstone said that drug sniffer dogs had been on duty and prison
officers in attendance when the woman transferred drugs to Mr Finch as she
kissed him.

Two hours after the contact visit, a nurse found Mr Finch unconscious in
his cell.

Attempts to resuscitate him failed.

Mr Finch, 27, had been remanded on charges that included intentionally
causing serious injury and assault.

Mr Johnstone said Mr Finch had an extensive drug and criminal history.
During seven periods of incarceration between 1991 and the time of his
death, Mr Finch used a range of illicit drugs, including heroin,
amphetamines, cannabis and benzodiazapines.

But he was not classified as a drug-using prisoner by Port Phillip Prison.

Mr Johnstone found that Mr Finch contributed to his own death, which was a
result of a heroin overdose.