Tasmanian prisons boost security by introducing full-body scanners.

The scanners, part of a $1.3 million election promise, will be installed at Hobart Reception Prison, Mary Hutchinson Women’s Prison, Risdon Prison Complex and Launceston Reception Prison.

Prisons Minister Madeleine Ogilvie said the scanners would become “another tool to prevent the smuggling of drugs, weapons and mobile phones” into prisons.

She added that they would also increase the safety of staff and prisoners.

“These scanners will enable the detection of objects on a person’s body and inside their clothing without the need to remove their clothing or physically search them,” she added.

Staff at Hobart Reception Prison have already undergone training in radiation safety and image analysis, which will enable them to use the scanners in their daily work.