An alarming new report has revealed that police installed more than 100 listening bugs across the Victorian prisons without warrants.

The devices were installed over a nearly two-decade period, with many being put in during renovations or when prisons were being built, according to the Integrity Oversight Victoria (IOV) document.

Police have since halted using the devices and have launched a review into the matter.

The IOV’s report said that Victoria Police in 2023 revealed it had permanently installed listening devices and equipment in some of the state’s prisons, with the bugs being put in without a warrant issued under the Surveillance Devices Act.

At least 115 devices were put in between 2000 and 2018, it said.

The body also reviewed 99 warrants in relation to the use of the devic

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