Hon Clem Simich
Minister of Corrections

PRISON INMATES' CALLS TO BE MONITORED

Prisoners' phone calls will be monitored in a bid to thwart organised crime and harassment of victims from behind bars, Corrections Minister Clem Simich announced today.

An amendment to the Penal Institutions Act will allow all inmates' telephone calls to be recorded, then monitored on both a targeted and random basis.

Since 1996 inmates have only been permitted to call 10 approved telephone numbers, but technological changes like call diversion now meant often inmates were able to circumvent the system and make unauthorised contacts.

Mr Simich said he was concerned that some inmates were misusing their privileges to harass their victims, or conduct criminal activities.

"Telephone access for inmates is a privilege, not a right," Mr Simich said. "The Government will not tolerate abuse."

The Minister also commended the work of former Corrections Minister Nick Smith on this issue.

An amendment to the Penal Institutions Act will be introduced to the House later this year.