Risdon Prison inmate told to use plastic bag for toilet

A RISDON Prison inmate was forced to defecate in a plastic bag while detained in a cell with no running water for four days.

The Ombudsman wrote to Prison Director, Brian Edwards, pictured, about an incident where a Risdon Prison inmate was forced to defecate in a plastic bag. Picture: ROGER LOVELL

A RISDON Prison inmate was forced to defecate in a plastic bag while detained in a cell with no running water for four days.

Tasmanian Ombudsman Richard Connock has labelled the incident as “undignified” and inappropriate.

The male prisoner was being held in a dry cell — with no shower, toilet or basin — for suspected internal contraband trafficking.

The Ombudsman’s office launched an investigation into the incident and wrote to Prisons’ Director Brian Edwards expressing concern.

“He was required to defecate into a plastic garbage bag,” the Ombudsman’s annual report released yesterday said.

“On the first day (he) was only given a bottle with a narrow opening for urination similar to a bleach or detergent bottle.”

Tasmanian Ombudsman Richard Connock investigated an incident involving a Risdon Prison inmate having no running water for four days.

On the second day the inmate was a given a “cardboard” bottle to urinate in.

At one point he had three cardboard urinal bottles sitting in his cell.

The man was not allowed to shower for three days.

It was unclear if the prisoner could sanitise his hands before eating or after toileting.

“We were of the view that these conditions were undignified. While we recognise that the Prison Service needs processes in place to deal with situation regarding [smuggling] contraband, this case was not appropriately handled,” the report said.

In response the prison service drafted interim protocols for managing inmates suspected of trafficking contraband inside their bodies.

These include prisoners having access to appropriate receptacles for toileting, hand sanitiser, daily showers and visits by a medical officer.

Complaints by prisoners to the Ombudsman increased 65 per cent in 2015/16 from 177 to 270. The Ombudsman received more complaints about the prison service than any other agency.

Mr Connock flagged the prison’s no smoking policy, introduced in January 2015, as a possible cause.

The incidents occurred against a backdrop of increasing pressure within the Tasmanian Prison Service.

This was driven by increases in the prison population, particularly women inmates, which peaked at 571 in June.

Originally published as Risdon Prison inmate told to use plastic bag for toilet