JAIL DRUGS THEFT PROMPTS PROBE

AT least two inmates broke into the Risdon Prison drugs dispensary on
Tuesday, the latest in a series of security headaches to plague the Eastern
Shore complex this year.

And, a prison source says, the inmates brawled with prison officers while
under the influence of the stolen drugs.

An internal prison investigation has been launched to find the prisoners
responsible for Tuesday's raid, which occurred in an accessible area near
the kitchen.

It is understood two inmates now under suspicion were part of a trio of
Risdon prisoners who orchestrated a daring escape from a prison van in
inner-city Hobart on August 3.

The theft follows a separate incident two weeks ago when three inmates were
bashed during a serious brawl in the maximum-security prison.

In August, six prisoners were found drunk on home-brew in the prison
bake-house, and in June the prison was rocked by riots, a strike and the
escape of its third prisoner in eight weeks.

Risdon Prison boss and the deputy secretary of the Justice Department,
Denbigh Richards, confirmed yesterday that at least two prisoners were
under investigation after Tuesday's theft.

Mr Richards said the culprits smashed a small glass panel on the locked
drugs storage area and reached in between grilles and iron bars to snatch
the drugs.

"We have not been able to find the stolen drugs, so we are assuming they
were consumed," he said.

"Investigations are continuing but two prisoners who are particularly the
target of suspicion are believed to have been affected, possibly by valium,
after the theft.

"We are only talking about a very small quantity of drugs here - we do not
keep large amounts of drugs at the prison.

"But presumably one or two tablets would be enough to affect someone."

Internal security staff investigating the theft are yet to lay charges.

Mr Richards said the offenders would face prison offences and possible
criminal charges.

He said it would be inappropriate to comment on the identity of the
prisoners under suspicion.

Prison staff tightened security around the drugs storage area as soon as
the break-in was noticed.

Attorney-General Peter Patmore could not be reached for comment last night.

Checked-by: Richard Lake