Page 1012 - Week 03 - Thursday, 10 April 2014

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The relatively low completion rates, in comparison to enrolments, can be the result of a range of factors, including remandees being bailed or released from custody before completion, slow progress by detainees in completing course requirements or a failure to complete course requirements. The reporting requirements against completion rates by the external provider were designed to align with the ROGS reporting rules. As contracts between the external provider and ACT Corrective Services have developed over time, additional reporting requirements have been included to better capture a more comprehensive picture of completions.

Alexander Maconochie Centre—drug interceptions
(Question No 240)

Mr Wall asked the Minister for Corrections, upon notice, on 26 February 2014:

(1) How many times were drugs intercepted at the Alexander Maconochie Centre upon visitor entry to the facility during the period (a) 1 January to 31 March 2013, (b) 1 April to 30 June 2013, (c) 1 July to 30 September 2013, and (d) 1 October to 31 December 2013.

(2) How many of these interceptions were detected by (a) sniffer dogs, (b) x –ray machines, or (c) physical search.

(3) What action was taken on each occasion.

Mr Rattenbury: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

The data in table 1 includes the number of times drugs and drug paraphernalia were intercepted upon entry to the AMC. The data relates to interceptions of drugs by visitors within the confines of the centre, which includes in the visitor car park, in admission to the centre and in the visits areas within the centre.

Searches for drugs upon entry to the centre are conducted by the K9 Unit (sniffer dogs). The sniffer dogs are a positive deterrent to contraband entering the centre, on occasions visitors to the centre will arrive to the car park and leave when they see the sniffer dogs.

In addition, Custodial Officers can also intercept contraband on entry to the AMC. Custodial Officers can also be directed to search a visitor via a scanning search, frisk search or ordinary search of a visitor at the AMC if they suspect, on reasonable grounds, that the visitor is carrying, a prohibited thing; or anything else that creates, or is likely to create, a risk to the personal safety of anyone else; or security or good order at the centre.

Contraband can be detected within the centre by physical search and/or detection by Custodial Officers. The data captured in table 1 includes interception by physical search and/or Custodial Officer detection.

Please note that x-ray machines do not detect drugs.


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