INMATES FACE DRUG BLITZ

Drug-using prisoners will have their contact visits and privileges
cancelled under a tough new policy.

Ten per cent of prisoners are tested for drugs and alcohol in Tasmanian
prisons and some are returning positive results, which, has prompted
Attorney-General Peter Patmore to crack down on repeat offenders.

The first time they offend, prisoners at Risdon, as well as women and those
at Hayes Prison Farm, will get a $50 fine, taken out of their meagre prison
earnings or out of savings outside.

But the tiered penalty system allows for contact visits to be cut off for
up to three months.

Mr Patmore said there was a problem with drugs and alcohol in Tasmanian
prisons but that the State fared well compared to the mainland.

"It is a problem at the moment, but it is an insignificant problem compared
to the rest of Australia," Mr Patmore said.

"Opiate use is not a bad problem, but that is not to say we are perfect."

Penalties include:

. Marijuana or alcohol: second and other offences - two-month
maximum-security reclassification for women; Hayes inmates will be
transferred to Risdon for four months.

. Other drugs in the women's prison: first offence - women will be
reclassified as maximum-security for four months; second offence - women
will be reclassified as maximum-security for five months and have no
contact visits for two months; third offence - six months maximum-security
reclassification and ineligible for contact visits for three months.

. Other drugs at Hayes: first offence -transfer to Risdon for four months;
second offence - four-month transfer to Risdon and two months without
contact visits; third offence - same transfer period but no contact visits
for three months.

. Other drugs at Risdon: first offence - maximum security for four months;
second offence - five months in maximum security and no contact visits for
two months; third offence - six months in maximum security and three months
without visits.

Mr Patmore said anomalies in the previous system had meant that alcohol was
rated more serious than cannabis and that prisoners could not be
transferred from Hayes to Risdon for repeated drug or alcohol offences.

Mr Patmore said banning contact visits was an appropriate way to make
prisoners "wake up to themselves".

"We are now instituting contact visits in Risdon, and there will be a
greater opportunity for the passing of drugs.

"We have to make sure the privileges are not abused."

Checked-by: Richard Lake