Prisons turn to spycraft to keep tabs on criminal networks Tony Mokbel lives under a high level of security, for his own protection. VICTORIA'S prison system is facing one of its most challenging periods in managing its 5700 inmates. An unprecedented era of jail expansion, overcrowding, the increasing influence of bikies, gangland figures and the ever-present Prisoners of War gang mean security and intelligence has never been more important. The unforeseen death of Carl Williams at the hands of POW's Matthew Johnson rammed home the need to drastically improve intelligence gathering and predict major risks. Identifying the establishment of criminal networks before they become a problem is another key element. Corrections Victoria will use tighter analysis of prisoners' communications, their visits and their relationships with other inmates and people on the outside to build that picture. The Metropolitan Remand Centre's intelligence room, as with other prisons, is using a Palantir software system previously used by spy and counter-terrorism agencies. Data pumped in by intelligence officers and other staff on individual inmates is automatically processed to show connections and flag warning signs. Spidery graphs depict a prisoner's links to others and can be expanded to show the associations of that second tier. These can be displayed on a hierarchical model where a prison leader's connections are shown in descending order, similar to a family tree. Other charts can track the flow of money through the hands of a chain of prisoners, or phone contact. Craig Howard, who has for six months been the system's first Assistant Commissioner for security and intelligence, said overseen an infusion of new experts in the field. Officers have been hired from the military, public and private intelligence agencies and police forces. Mr Howard, who spent 28 years as a Victoria Police officer, said there was no option but to get better at reading the play. The easiest answer is to just confine people to solitary confinement. (But) it would make people worse than when they arrived," he said. A prisoner can't run away. As a result, we've got an increased level of responsibility. Outlaw motorcycle gangs: Have been aggressively recruiting in jail. All of the major clubs represented within the system. Killer Hells Angel Christopher Wayne Hudson is considered a jailhouse leader of that gang. Hells Angels bikie Christopher Hudson. Prisoners of War: Started a decade ago. Their reach extends beyond prison walls. Matthew Charles Johnson, the killer of Carl Williams, is a key POW figure. Matthew Charles Johnson arrives at the Victorian Supreme Court in Melbourne for sentencing, having been found guilty of murdering Carl Williams in their shared high-security jail facility. Gangland figures: The death of Williams exposed the danger jailed underworld figures can face. Among those under the highest level of security is Tony Mokbel. Underworld figure Tony Mokbel is led into a prison van at the Supreme Court in Melbourne. Ethnic based gangs: Inter-racial conflict exists, but some internal friction from within a particular ethnic group can be carried from the outside into the system. Protection prisoners: Witnesses, lawyers, sex offenders, corrupt prison officers and police like jail drug squad detective David Miechel are among inmates whose safety needs to be preserved. David Miechel is a drug squad policeman charged with robbing an Oakleigh East house of $1.3 million worth of drugs and money. Picture: Jessica O'Donnell Source: News Corp Australia Terror prisoners: A relatively new element within the jail system which requires careful management. Abdul Nacer Benbrika is the most high-profile member of this group. Islamic radical Abdul Nacer Benbrika (aka Abu Bakr) during an interview with ABC TV.