SHOCKING PRISON DRUG TEST RESULTS:

Prison records shocking drug test results

INMATES at the maximumsecurity Barwon Prison have posted the worst monthly drug testing results of any Victorian prison since July 2017, new figures reveal.

Corrections Victoria’s Drugs in Victorian Prisons report shows nearly one in six selected prisoners failed random drug tests in April, at a rate of 16.13 per cent — more than doubling the prison’s government-imposed 8 per cent random general benchmark.

It was the highest percentage of failures across the state’s entire prison system since 17.5 per cent failed tests at the Melbourne Assessment Prison in July 2017.

But, the prison’s testing results for May fell just under the benchmark, with 7.84 per cent of tested prisoners failing.

Heroin replacement drug Buprenorphine was identified in 39 drug tests at Barwon Prison in April and May, while amphetamines and methamphetamines both accounted for four positive results, and methadone was found in one test.

Buprenorphine, a cheap and widely available prescription opiate, was found in 182 of 207 positive drug tests at the prison between July 2018 and May this year.

The region’s three prisons — Barwon, medium-security Marngoneet Correctional Centre and its Karreenga annexe — are on track to miss their testing benchmarks for 2018-19 — with only June’s results outstanding.

A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokesman said drug-testing results were monitored to allow the department to take “targeted action”.

“The Drugs in Victorian Prisons report for May highlights the increased efforts since March to detect contraband and reduce the supply of drugs into Barwon Prison, Marngoneet Correctional Centre and Karreenga annexe,” the spokesman said.

“This has included a series of targeted operations involving security and intelligence staff and local prison officers.

“Other detection methods have included the use of drug-detection dogs, extensive searching of cells and accommodation areas, and random and targeted testing of prisoners.”

Prisoners caught with illicit drugs face penalties including being moved to more secure accommodation and bans on visitors.

Marngoneet Correctional Centre has the worst year-todate rate of positive random drug tests, with 9.95 per cent of all tests failed in 2018-19.