Tasmania Police has released the Bugg Independent Review of the Use of Surveillance Devices in Prisons.

The Review examined the period 1 January 2012–1 January 2024, during which time 19 surveillance device warrants were issued in Tasmanian prisons.

Mr Damian Bugg AM KC determined that:

• Only minor administrative issues were identified in the process of Tasmania Police applying for warrants.
• Legal professional privilege was not compromised. Mr Bugg AM KC was satisfied that Tasmania Police did not monitor or download privileged conversations between lawyers and clients which were irrelevant to the particular investigation for which there was a warrant. The surveillance devices were ‘wiped’ clean when they were retrieved from the prison, without play back.
• Tasmania Police had taken steps immediately following Justice Brett’s decision to implement a suite of reforms, which were either implemented or underway.

 >> Read the Report: Review of the Use of Surveillance Devices in Prisons.