Appeal judges mull bomber's strip searches

The Court of Appeal is considering whether Barwon Prison strip searches of Russell Street bomber Craig Minogue were unlawful and violated his human rights.

Minogue, who is serving a life sentence for his role in the 1986 bombing, lodged three court Supreme Court challenges against the strip searches and urine tests he was subjected to in jail.

The case could have wide-ranging implications for prison procedures and prompt an overhaul of strip search powers.

In February, Justice Melinda Richards ruled the searches and testing were not compatible with Minogue's human rights, and the process was "inherently demeaning".

Barwon Prison Governor Colin Thompson, along with the secretary of the Victorian Department of Justice, are seeking to have that finding overturned.

At a hearing before three appeal court judges on Friday, crown counsel Liam Brown argued Mr Thompson understood that prisoners' human rights were an issue, but he had weighed those rights against competing interests.

The court also heard that prisoners have the same level of human rights as other people, except for limitations imposed to the extent necessary.

The case will return to court at a date to be fixed.