For Immediate Release 28 June 2010

Guaranteed negative drug tests for prisoners

While it might not be every New Zealander’s dream career, Corrections drug testers carry out an essential role in prisons.

Drug testers are responsible for collecting urine samples from prisoners that are then sent to the Institute of Environmental and Scientific Research (ESR) for analysis. The tests are essential for monitoring drug trends in prison, and measuring the success of methods used to prevent drugs getting into jails.

Nationally statistics show random drug test positive results are at their lowest ever with only 10.5% of prisoners returning positive tests, but work continues to ensure these results remain low.

Last week around 30 testers, representing around 140 nationwide, met for two days at the National Police College in Wellington to discuss how they can add further value to the work they carry out, and work more closely with security teams and the Operational Intelligence group to ensure accurate information about drugs in prisons is shared. Also on the agenda is how the testers can better educate prisoners and reduce the harm caused by drug use.

“Essentially, drug testing is aimed at detecting and preventing the supply of drugs into prison. Eliminating prisoners’ ability to take drugs while in prison means that the law is upheld, the integrity of prison sentences is maintained, and prisons are safer places for staff to work,” says Assistant General Manager Leanne Field.

“Many prisoners have long histories of using and abusing drugs. For a large number of these prisoners drugs were related to their offending. Some also have family histories of drug abuse. While they are in prison and away from these lifestyles we work to eliminate their dependencies. It is then that we have a much better chance of also reducing their risk of reoffending.”

“We go to great lengths to prevent drugs getting into prisons, in managing prisoners who are identified as drug users, and in providing rehabilitation for these prisoners so when we release them into their communities they are less likely to return to prison,” says Leanne.

During the two day seminar drug testers have heard presentations from a number of parties with links to their own work, including Dr Paul Quigley, an emergency medicine specialist at Wellington Hospital, Sarah Russell from ESR, and Les Maxwell and Paul Tricklebank of the National Drug Intelligence Bureau. The testers will take back their experiences, networks and ideas generated from the seminar and share them with their colleagues.

Drug tester Peter Hoare, from Rimutaka Prison, was a Corrections Officer for two years before becoming a drug tester. The uniqueness of the role interested him, and he has now been doing it for three years.

“As testers, we work as part of a much bigger team within the prison, with one common goal – stopping prisoners from using drugs. Everyone gets involved – from gatehouse staff, to the drug dog handler to those delivering treatment programmes. Meeting testers from different prisons gives us the chance to share some of the issues we face. We consistently face the same challenges, so discussing them brings new solutions we may not have considered.”

Peter is quick to point out that while prisoners grumble and groan on their way to a drug test, most accept it and comply – refusing a test means facing an internal misconduct charge and can mean you are managed as a drug user.

“Prisoners ask me time and time again to tell them how to cheat a drug test. I’m only too pleased to tell them that the only way to guarantee a negative result is not to take drugs.”

Prisoners can be directed to undertake random tests generated by computer algorithm, when returning from temporary release from prison, and if staff have reasonable cause to believe a prisoner is under the influence of drugs. Prisoners can also voluntarily undergo testing to demonstrate their compliance with rehabilitation programme conditions that require them to be drug-free.

ENDS

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