NEW LAWS TO TARGET SMUGGLING IN PRISONS

The Government is to introduce legislation to crack down on drugs and
cellphones in prisons.

Cellphone use in prisons, which is banned, is on the rise with the
number of phones and components confiscated up from 250 in 2003 to
1047 in 2005.

Critics say cell phones are allowing prisoners to organise crime and
intimidate people from behind bars.

Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor today said the Government had
more than halved the level of drug use in prisons - down from 27.2 per
cent of inmates to 13 per cent - but the smuggling of drugs into
prisons remained a problem.

As a result the Government would push for a law change to combat
contraband smuggling. It hoped to introduce the legislation to
Parliament in August.

The proposed Corrections Amendment Bill would include:

* a new criminal offence for non-prisoners possessing drugs, mobile
communication devices, or weapons in prisons without permission;

* giving prison staff greater search powers;

* making it an offence for an inmate to possess or use an unauthorised
electronic device in a prison, punishable by up to three months in
prison and a $5000 fine.

* making it an offence to tamper with a drug test and allowing
prisoners to be re-tested if a sample is suspicious;

* extending existing provisions so that Corrections Department staff
who pass contraband to prisoners outside the prison are also
punishable by up to a year's prison and a $5000 fine.

Mr O'Connor said significant funding had gone into upgrading prison
security, but contraband was still getting through.

"The presence of drugs and mobile phones lead to standover tactics and
assaults and allow prisoners to subvert prison controls and organise
illicit activities outside prisons."

Eliminating smuggling was a huge challenge, especially when small
cellphones and drugs like methamphetamine were relatively easy to
conceal, but the Government was committed to doing so, he said.

"I will use every tool at my disposal to remove the scourge of drugs
from prisons and to keep cellphones and weapons out of prisoners' hands."

The Government remained committed to prisoner rehabilitation through
work, education and access to healthcare, including drug and alcohol
treatment units.

"However this is not going to work for prisoners if they refuse to
abide by the rules or are distracted by drugs."