A WA parliamentary question addresses drug use among prisoners at Karnet Prison Farm, particularly those operating machinery, and seeks clarification on existing policies and procedures for drug testing and management.

AnsweredQoN 74Legislative Council
Asked
6 April 2005
Portfolio
Justice

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to pages iv and v of the “Report of an Announced Inspection of Karnet Prison Farm March 2005”, which states in part - To compound matters, Karnet is a working prison, with complex and dangerous machinery. The Department has a duty of care to its prisoner-“employees”. Anecdotally, there was evidence that some prisoners sometimes were under the influence of marijuana when they arrived at work. In such circumstances, the possibility of an industrial accident would clearly be increased. (1) Does Karnet have a written policy on alcohol and/or other drugs at the workplace, consistent with WorkSafe guidelines; and, if not, why not? (2) If yes to (1), what are the procedures in the policy for a prisoner at the workplace appearing to be impaired by alcohol and/or other drugs? (3) Does Karnet have procedures for alcohol and/or drug testing of prisoners using complex or dangerous machinery; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), what are those procedures? Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

I thank Hon Simon O’Brien for some notice of the question. (1) In accordance with the Western Australian Prisons Act 1981, it is an offence for a prisoner to use or to be in possession of any drugs not lawfully issued, and to use any drugs other than as prescribed. The Western Australian Prison Regulations 1982 allow for the random and targeted testing of prisoners for drugs. When a prisoner shows signs of being under the influence of any drug, the prisoner is immediately drug tested, and disciplinary action is taken when necessary. (2) See answer to question (1). (3) All prisons have procedures for alcohol and/or drug testing of prisoners at any time, including while in the workplace. These procedures are detailed in standing orders B9, which are attached to the member’s copy of the answer. (4) See response to question (3).
(2) If yes to (1), what are the procedures in the policy for a prisoner at the workplace appearing to be impaired by alcohol and/or other drugs? (3) Does Karnet have procedures for alcohol and/or drug testing of prisoners using complex or dangerous machinery; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), what are those procedures? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Simon O’Brien for some notice of the question. (1) In accordance with the Western Australian Prisons Act 1981, it is an offence for a prisoner to use or to be in possession of any drugs not lawfully issued, and to use any drugs other than as prescribed. The Western Australian Prison Regulations 1982 allow for the random and targeted testing of prisoners for drugs. When a prisoner shows signs of being under the influence of any drug, the prisoner is immediately drug tested, and disciplinary action is taken when necessary. (2) See answer to question (1). (3) All prisons have procedures for alcohol and/or drug testing of prisoners at any time, including while in the workplace. These procedures are detailed in standing orders B9, which are attached to the member’s copy of the answer. (4) See response to question (3).
(3) Does Karnet have procedures for alcohol and/or drug testing of prisoners using complex or dangerous machinery; and, if not, why not? (4) If yes to (3), what are those procedures? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Simon O’Brien for some notice of the question. (1) In accordance with the Western Australian Prisons Act 1981, it is an offence for a prisoner to use or to be in possession of any drugs not lawfully issued, and to use any drugs other than as prescribed. The Western Australian Prison Regulations 1982 allow for the random and targeted testing of prisoners for drugs. When a prisoner shows signs of being under the influence of any drug, the prisoner is immediately drug tested, and disciplinary action is taken when necessary. (2) See answer to question (1). (3) All prisons have procedures for alcohol and/or drug testing of prisoners at any time, including while in the workplace. These procedures are detailed in standing orders B9, which are attached to the member’s copy of the answer. (4) See response to question (3).
(4) If yes to (3), what are those procedures? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Simon O’Brien for some notice of the question. (1) In accordance with the Western Australian Prisons Act 1981, it is an offence for a prisoner to use or to be in possession of any drugs not lawfully issued, and to use any drugs other than as prescribed. The Western Australian Prison Regulations 1982 allow for the random and targeted testing of prisoners for drugs. When a prisoner shows signs of being under the influence of any drug, the prisoner is immediately drug tested, and disciplinary action is taken when necessary. (2) See answer to question (1). (3) All prisons have procedures for alcohol and/or drug testing of prisoners at any time, including while in the workplace. These procedures are detailed in standing orders B9, which are attached to the member’s copy of the answer. (4) See response to question (3).
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Simon O’Brien for some notice of the question. (1) In accordance with the Western Australian Prisons Act 1981, it is an offence for a prisoner to use or to be in possession of any drugs not lawfully issued, and to use any drugs other than as prescribed. The Western Australian Prison Regulations 1982 allow for the random and targeted testing of prisoners for drugs. When a prisoner shows signs of being under the influence of any drug, the prisoner is immediately drug tested, and disciplinary action is taken when necessary. (2) See answer to question (1). (3) All prisons have procedures for alcohol and/or drug testing of prisoners at any time, including while in the workplace. These procedures are detailed in standing orders B9, which are attached to the member’s copy of the answer. (4) See response to question (3).
I thank Hon Simon O’Brien for some notice of the question. (1) In accordance with the Western Australian Prisons Act 1981, it is an offence for a prisoner to use or to be in possession of any drugs not lawfully issued, and to use any drugs other than as prescribed. The Western Australian Prison Regulations 1982 allow for the random and targeted testing of prisoners for drugs. When a prisoner shows signs of being under the influence of any drug, the prisoner is immediately drug tested, and disciplinary action is taken when necessary. (2) See answer to question (1). (3) All prisons have procedures for alcohol and/or drug testing of prisoners at any time, including while in the workplace. These procedures are detailed in standing orders B9, which are attached to the member’s copy of the answer. (4) See response to question (3).
(1) In accordance with the Western Australian Prisons Act 1981, it is an offence for a prisoner to use or to be in possession of any drugs not lawfully issued, and to use any drugs other than as prescribed. The Western Australian Prison Regulations 1982 allow for the random and targeted testing of prisoners for drugs. When a prisoner shows signs of being under the influence of any drug, the prisoner is immediately drug tested, and disciplinary action is taken when necessary. (2) See answer to question (1). (3) All prisons have procedures for alcohol and/or drug testing of prisoners at any time, including while in the workplace. These procedures are detailed in standing orders B9, which are attached to the member’s copy of the answer. (4) See response to question (3).
(2) See answer to question (1). (3) All prisons have procedures for alcohol and/or drug testing of prisoners at any time, including while in the workplace. These procedures are detailed in standing orders B9, which are attached to the member’s copy of the answer. (4) See response to question (3).
(3) All prisons have procedures for alcohol and/or drug testing of prisoners at any time, including while in the workplace. These procedures are detailed in standing orders B9, which are attached to the member’s copy of the answer. (4) See response to question (3).
(4) See response to question (3).

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