❓ Question regarding drug seizures and testing procedures at West Kimberley Regional Prison since 1 January 2017, revealing issues with testing seized substances and linking them to prisoners. The response indicates police involvement in visitor and new prisoner seizures, but lack of testing for substances found in sterile zones.
AnsweredQoN 2578Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services (OICS) Report into an Announced Inspection of the West Kimberley Regional Prison (2017), noting that 'efforts to control drug
trafficking were appropriate, but had been undermined by a failure to test substances that
had been found', and ask: (a) since 1 January 2017 how many suspected narcotics had been seized/confiscated by officers at West Kimberley Regional Prison; (b) since 1 January 2017 how many suspected narcotics have been tested; (c) since 1 January 2017 how many prisoners were found to be in the possession of a suspected narcotic: (i) was that prisoner referred to WA Police, and if not why not; (d) since 1 January 2017 how many prison visitors were found to be in the possession of a suspected narcotic: (i) was that visitor referred to WA Police, and if not why not; and (e) since 1 January 2017 how many prison officers were found to be in the possession of a suspected narcotic: (i) was that officer referred to WA Police, and if not why not?
trafficking were appropriate, but had been undermined by a failure to test substances that
had been found', and ask: (a) since 1 January 2017 how many suspected narcotics had been seized/confiscated by officers at West Kimberley Regional Prison; (b) since 1 January 2017 how many suspected narcotics have been tested; (c) since 1 January 2017 how many prisoners were found to be in the possession of a suspected narcotic: (i) was that prisoner referred to WA Police, and if not why not; (d) since 1 January 2017 how many prison visitors were found to be in the possession of a suspected narcotic: (i) was that visitor referred to WA Police, and if not why not; and (e) since 1 January 2017 how many prison officers were found to be in the possession of a suspected narcotic: (i) was that officer referred to WA Police, and if not why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 April 2018
Responded by
Minister for Corrective Services
Response time
8 days
The Department of Justice advises:
(a) Eight quantities of suspected drugs have been seized.
(b) Of the eight suspected drug seizures;
· four seizures were made from visitors and as related evidence were handed to the Western Australia Police for further action and testing in line with police procedures and consideration of preferring criminal charges.
· three seizures made while searching the property of prisoners who had not had access to that property since being arrested and prior to their being received at West Kimberley Regional Prison. On each occasion the seizure and related evidence was handed to the Western Australia Police for further enquiries.
· one instance involved the seizure of a suspected drug located in the sterile zone of the perimeter of West Kimberley Regional Prison. As it was not able to be linked to a prisoner, the substance was not formally tested as no Prisons Act 1981 charge was able to be preferred.
(c) None.
i. Not applicable.
(d) Four visitors were found to be in possession of a suspected drug.
i. Refer to question (b)
(e) None.
(f) Not applicable.
(a) Eight quantities of suspected drugs have been seized.
(b) Of the eight suspected drug seizures;
· four seizures were made from visitors and as related evidence were handed to the Western Australia Police for further action and testing in line with police procedures and consideration of preferring criminal charges.
· three seizures made while searching the property of prisoners who had not had access to that property since being arrested and prior to their being received at West Kimberley Regional Prison. On each occasion the seizure and related evidence was handed to the Western Australia Police for further enquiries.
· one instance involved the seizure of a suspected drug located in the sterile zone of the perimeter of West Kimberley Regional Prison. As it was not able to be linked to a prisoner, the substance was not formally tested as no Prisons Act 1981 charge was able to be preferred.
(c) None.
i. Not applicable.
(d) Four visitors were found to be in possession of a suspected drug.
i. Refer to question (b)
(e) None.
(f) Not applicable.
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