Acacia prison scanner too invasive

The WA Prison Officers’ Union is calling for the use of an invasive body scanner at Acacia Prison to be focused on prisoners, instead of staff and members of the public.

The Nuctech MW1000A body inspection device in place at Acacia is the only one of its kind in WA prisons and no protocol was established to inform prison officers they would receive an intrusive scan.

This device was installed two years ago, but prison officers only recently discovered that it takes what is essentially a naked photo.

It’s the union’s understanding that all persons entering the prison were being scanned and their images were being stored in a data system, potentially those of visitors, including children.

WAPOU is pushing for better protocols on the use of the scanner, which the union believes should should be more focused on prisoners and those suspected of doing the wrong thing.

The union wants to keep drugs and contraband out of WA prisons, but members shouldn’t have to be put through this invasive practice every time they enter their workplace.

The union was able to intervene and get Serco to stop using the scanner.

Serco has subsequently decommissioned the use of the more intrusive uses of the scanner by removing the offending hardware so detailed images cannot be recorded or stored.  

Serco have agreed not to use the scanner on prison officers until protocols are agreed and put in place.