Dogs might be man's best friend, but a new Victorian canine jail pack are likely to be some prisoners' worst nightmare.
After spending months in the classroom, 11 dogs and their human handlers on Wednesday graduated and will be put to work sniffing out drugs and other contraband and keeping inmates in check at four prisons including the Metropolitan Remand Centre at Ravenhall.
Corrections Minister Ben Carroll told reporters the four-legged recruits were a critical part of the frontline response, with labradors on the hunt for drugs, while german shepherds and malinois can be used to attack armed offenders.
"They are literally hitting the road running, based at four prisons across the state but also operating 24/7 days a week for any response that may be needed," he said.
A third of the 100,000 searches conducted in the state's jails in the past year have been with a trained dog.
The newest furry recruits are part of a Security and Emergency Services Group, beefed up to have 50 dogs and extra video surveillance since the 2015 Ravenhall prison riot, which left a $12 million damage bill.
Among their tasks, the dogs will search cells, common areas and escort high-security prisoners.
Corrections Victoria Commissioner Emma Cassar said people went to great lengths to smuggle drugs into the state's jails - housing about 8100 prisoners - with some sewing extra seams into clothes or secreting them in nappies.
"We have the great task of keeping them out, and this team does this beautifully," she said.
