Shadow Minister for Justice Greg Smith SC today called on the Iemma Labor Government to beef up searches by security officers on prison visitors to deter them from attempting to supply their prisoner friends and relatives with weapons, mobile phones and SIM cards.  

“The recent purge is too little, too late, with many of the shivs and other items of home made weaponry shown in media photos of a type likely to have been seized from prisoners themselves, the product of in-house craftsmanship,” Mr Smith said.

“Prisons are under-resourced and even though authorities have extensive search powers, they are not exercised sufficiently. Constant searches would act as a strong deterrent against visitors smuggling illicit items into prisons."

“Prisons themselves must be more regularly searched to ensure that garden and other implements capable of becoming weapons are accounted for."

“As to lawyers contact visits, it would be most unfortunate if the reported misconduct of a few were to lead to general restrictions of the vast majority who act responsibly in the interests of their prisoner clients."

“Knee-jerk restrictions imposed by a Minister trying to appear tough may result in Court delays, thus inconveniencing victims and other witnesses in criminal cases."

“The creation of an atmosphere of greater and more regular security checks will discourage various types of misconduct exposed by the recent purge,” Mr Smith said.