Newly released government documents have raised fresh concerns about security and contraband at Canberra’s Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC), the ACT’s only adult prison. The information includes records concerning visitor smuggling attempts, drone activity, fence throws and prohibited items detected inside the facility.

According to information reported from government responses to questions raised during estimates hearings, ACT Corrective Services was unable to accurately determine what proportion of contraband entering the prison during the 2025–26 financial year was introduced by visitors, detainees or staff. Officials said compiling that information from existing records would require an unreasonable diversion of manual resources.

The documents also indicate that security pressures are being experienced alongside overcrowding at the prison. Senior officials reportedly told the estimates committee that overcrowding was creating daily pressures around security and accommodation.

Another issue highlighted in the newly reported information is the presence of organised criminal groups among detainees. As of 31 July 2026, authorities reported that 14 detainees were associated with four outlaw motorcycle gangs and one subgroup. Three of those people were reportedly on remand. Authorities said gang-associated detainees were being dispersed across different areas of the prison to reduce the risk of concentrated gang activity.

Contraband remains a major concern. ACT Policing and ACT Corrective Services have conducted multiple joint operations targeting attempts to bring prohibited items into the AMC. During an operation on 25 July 2026, officers stopped and searched vehicles and conducted licence and vehicle checks around people attempting to visit the prison. Several items were seized for further examination, while one visitor was refused entry after allegedly breaching visitation rules.

The July operation also resulted in three positive drug-driving tests, four vehicle defect notices and six traffic infringement notices. Police said the operation was specifically designed to identify people involved in moving contraband into the correctional facility.

It was the third joint operation targeting AMC contraband since November 2025. Authorities have said illicit drugs, mobile phones and other prohibited material can create serious risks inside correctional facilities.

Earlier in March, another joint operation targeting prison contraband resulted in multiple items being seized. One visitor was refused entry after a drug-detection dog indicated possible contraband, while another person arriving by public transport had their visit cancelled after allegedly being found with prohibited material. Two drivers also allegedly returned positive drug-driving results.

The security concerns are not limited to visitors. A 2025 Healthy Prison Review reported that an individual was arrested in September 2025 after allegedly attempting to use a drone to smuggle drugs and nicotine patches over the AMC perimeter fence. The same review identified vulnerabilities associated with ageing security infrastructure and noted that some previously identified weaknesses had not been fully addressed.

The ACT Custodial Inspector has also published several reviews examining serious incidents at the AMC. In May 2026, a review examined three assaults between detained people that occurred between May and September 2025. The review identified problems including assaults occurring inside cells without immediate detection, shortcomings in incident reporting and crime-scene management, and continuing challenges around detainee protection and accommodation.

A separate review published in June 2026 examined a serious self-harm incident involving an Aboriginal woman at the AMC. The review identified concerns about the use of force, culturally safe and trauma-informed care, and coordination between agencies. It made four recommendations.

The latest information therefore adds to a broader picture of ongoing security and operational challenges at Canberra’s prison. Authorities are using police operations, intelligence, security staff and detection measures to prevent contraband from entering the centre.

At the same time, the government information raises questions about staffing, overcrowding, security infrastructure and the ability of authorities to accurately track the sources of prohibited items.

The ACT Audit Office also reported in June 2026 that ACT Corrective Services had not developed and implemented effective custodial-officer rostering arrangements that adequately met organisational, staff and detainee needs.

Authorities continue to encourage information about attempts to move contraband into the prison to be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

It is important to note that information about alleged criminal activity or contraband offences does not establish guilt against individual detainees, visitors or staff unless allegations are proven through the appropriate legal process.

The latest government information provides a snapshot of the security challenges facing the AMC and comes as authorities continue efforts to improve prison security and prevent prohibited items from entering the facility.