Friday, 11 September 2009

NSW lets the dogs loose on mobile search In an Australian first the NSW Government will unleash mobile phone detecting dogs into the state’s correctional centres to stop phone trafficking.

Minister for Corrective Services John Robertson announced today that two dogs have completed their training at the Windsor K9 unit and will start work immediately sniffing out mobile phones in NSW prisons.

“Corrective Services NSW has conducted the first successful trial of mobile phone sniffer-dogs in Australia,” said Mr Robertson. “These dogs will start work immediately, seeking out the scent of mobile phones in cells and yards and making our correctional centres safer.”

“This is an important boost to the Government’s arsenal in the fight to keep mobile phones out of NSW gaols,” said Mr Robertson. “A mobile phone in the hands of a prison inmate can be an escape threat or in the worst case scenario – a murder weapon. It is absolutely critical that we continue to look for new ways to thwart mobile phone smugglers in the prison system.

“The dogs have been taught to pick up the scent of phone batteries, casings and sim-cards with exceptional accuracy.

“Currently two dogs have been through the intensive training program but if their work in the correctional environment proves as successful as in training then we will look to increase the number of dogs in the team in the longer term.

“A Labrador named Jedda and Border Collie named Boe will be the first dogs to hit the beat, working as part of the State Emergency Unit to detect contraband in gaols. The dogs will be used to search cells, prison wings, and visiting areas and in targeted intelligence based raids.

“This innovative program is in addition to the State Government’s application to the Australian Media and Communication Authority for an exemption to begin Australia’s first trial of mobile phone jamming technology at Lithgow Correctional Centre.

“The safety of correctional officers and the community is paramount and that is why we must continue to do everything we can to keep mobile phones out of correctional centres. “As the technology develops and devices get smaller and easier to conceal Corrective Services must find new and more ingenious ways to stop mobile phone smugglers.

“The Government will continue to push the boundaries when it comes to mobile phone detection and prevention to keep our correctional centres and communities safe.”