B.15.01.R6 Prisoner Property Search (National Requirement)

Searching prisoner property

1. All property received into the prison for each prisoner, or withdrawn from issue, is thoroughly searched by competent staff before issue and/or storage to determine whether or not any unauthorised item is included. Known places of concealment are given special attention as part of the search.
2. Care is taken to ensure that the item is not damaged, but such reasonable force as is necessary in the circumstances may be used to open any item.
3. Searching of prisoner technical/electrical/electronic items:
   1. Is undertaken on initial receipt (refer to B.11.01.R3 for requirements for having electrical equipment checked by a suitably qualified person).
   2. A computer’s hard disk and any floppy disk is file scanned and the legality of software is verified.
   3. Any communication devices such as fax/modems, cellular phones or recorders are removed.
   4. Account is taken of conditions of warrantees and guarantees.
   5. The cost of the search is the prisoner’s responsibility unless directed otherwise by the Prison Manager.
   6. Where there are reasonable grounds for suspecting a prisoner’s technical item on issue contains an unauthorised item, the Prison Manager may order and authorise payment of the cost of a technical search.
4. Unauthorised items removed and property that may be evidence of a disciplinary offence or criminal offence may be seized and managed in accordance with B.12.03.
5. Property purchased from approved suppliers through the prisoner purchases system may be subject to full search where considered necessary.
6. Property taken or returned on temporary release or on temporary removal (escorted outings) is searched and matched against any description on the prisoner’s property records.
7. Any authority to search any prisoner's vehicle or vehicle driven by a prisoner automatically includes the authority to search any item in that vehicle.