'Sniffer' dogs to help reduce drug use in prisons

3/7/93

'Sniffer' dogs are to be used as part of the next stage in a long-term strategy to further reduce illicit drug use in Western Australian prisons. 

Attorney General Cheryl Edwardes said that the anti-drug thrust was one of a range of initiatives being undertaken within the criminal justice system since the Coalition Government had been elected to office earlier this year. 

"Although the Western Australian prison system does not have the level of drug use experienced in other jurisdictions, it is important that adequate preventive measures are put in place," Mrs Edwardes said.

"An upgraded strategy to combat drug use in prisons has been completed and includes the use of prison-based sniffer dogs to prevent drugs being smuggled in.

"An intelligence unit has also been formed to gather information on prison drug use." 

Mrs Edwardes said a series of drug education and awareness programs had been introduced for staff and prisoners, while drug testing procedures had been standardised. 

"I have also authorised the introduction of a 008 input line, which people will be encouraged to use to supply information on all aspects of the illicit drug trade in prisons - as well as information on any other matter," she said. 

"In addition, drug, alcohol and alternatives-to-violence programs are now available in every prison throughout the State - not just those in the metropolitan area, as was the case in the past." 

The Attorney General said the drug initiatives had been complemented by initiatives designed to focus on prisoner training and the needs of Aboriginal prisoners. 

"I have approved the establishment of vocational development centres at Bunbury Regional Prison and Casuarina Prison, where prisoners will be able to acquire accredited skills they may be able to use to find employment on their release from prison," she said. 

"This program will be extended to the C W Campbell Remand Centre, Karnet Prison Farm and Canning Vale Prison. 

"It is hoped these programs will provide the stimulus required to divert prisoners from the re-offending path." 

Mrs Edwardes said that to cater for Aboriginal people who were sent to prison, strenuous efforts were being made to increase the number of Aboriginal employees in the corrective services system. 

At the same time, all non-Aboriginal prison officers were required to undertake a two-day cross-cultural awareness course, delivered by specially trained Aboriginal staff members. 

"All these measures represent commitments made by the Coalition prior to the State election and will go some way towards addressing those problems within our prison system - whether it be illicit drug use or the level of re-offending," Mrs Edwardes said. 

Media contact: Casey Cahill 222 9595/421 7777