Scanner crackdown on prison contraband

• New body scanning technology has launched at the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre in a zero-tolerance crackdown on prison contraband.
• The technology can detect weapons, drugs and mobiles creating a safer workplace for Custodial Correctional Officers
• It’s part of a three-month technology trial of less invasive body searches of traumatised and vulnerable female prisoners.

Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre is the first in Queensland to trial a new low dose x-ray body scanner, making it even harder to smuggle contraband into prison.

Installation of the scanner and the contraband crackdown is an investment in a safer workplace for Custodial Correctional Officers.

The high-tech scanner is about the same size as airport security machines and can detect mobiles, weapons and drugs, wherever they’re hidden.

It also means less invasive and traumatic searches of vulnerable female prisoners, with better results in less than half the time of traditional searches.

Operation of the scanner will be evaluated over three months before being rolled out to other Queensland women’s prisons.

The body scanner is part of the Government’s record $1.8 billion Budget for Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) to reduce re-offending and keep officers and communities safe.

Non-invasive search technology was a recommendation of the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce final report into the experiences of girls and women in the criminal justice system.

Quotes attributable to Corrective Services Minister Nikki Boyd:

“The workplace safety and security of our hard-working Custodial Corrections Officers is a non-negotiable priority for the Queensland Government.

“Safety at work is exactly what the body scanner is designed to achieve by stopping phones, weapons and drugs getting into prison in the first place.

“While it’s early days for the three-month trial, feedback on the scanner technology from Correctional Officers and vulnerable female prisoners is positive.

Quotes attributable to Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner Paul Stewart APM:          

“QCS has a zero-tolerance for contraband entering our correctional centres and the use of x-ray body scanning technology in our facilities will improve detection, strengthen our barrier controls and prevent prohibited items from entering our facilities, supporting the safety of our officers and prisoners.

“Correctional centres serve an important role in our society by protecting community safety while giving prisoners the opportunity to rehabilitate to prevent further offending.

“The trial of the technology remains consistent with the recommendations of the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce final report, Hear Her Voice—Women and Girls’ Experiences Across the Criminal Justice System, focusing on the introduction of non-invasive screening technology and ending the practice of removing clothing searches for women prisoners.

“The QCS trial will establish best practice use within operating models before the technology is rolled out to other correctional centres.”