Wednesday, March 26, 2003

NSW Prisons Inmate Development Committee speaks out

I am writing on behalf of the IDC Inmate Development Committee in area 3, MSPC at Long Bay. Area 3 is where, the Department is congregating minimum-security offenders within maximum-security walls whilst awaiting mandatory programs at Cubit (Sex Offenders Program).

Many of the inmates here, have progressed through the classification system, moving from maximum-security prisons through medium-security establishments, then minimum-security centres to finally arrive here. Some have been fortunate enough to arrive here directly from court and so view this establishment with unexperienced eyes.

The majority however, were lured into coming by the Deputy Governor, with the promise of better conditions (single cells, excellent education and activities, newly opened cell- blocks etc.) and are now very sadly disillusioned.

Long term residents are increasingly cynical of the word of officers and frustration at seeing what small pluses this place once seemingly promised, eroded away. Many believe that maximum-security establishments have more rights and entitlements than we do; possibly they just get cut more slack by their officers and management.

Though other medium and minimum-security establishments would also baulk if these conditions were imposed on them. Understandably, many advantages are allowed at low security establishments as rewards for good behaviour etc.

There have been no major incidents here, fights are nearly unheard of, verbal abuse of prison officers rare and yet we are treated like second class prisoners.

Many inmates are elderly or new to the prison system and are intimidated against standing up for their rights with threats of being moved to 9 Wing (a hellhole) or Goulburn. Others have already suffered ostracism at other centres and fear being moved back and so are cowed into accepting anything that happens to them.

Our only common grievance is that we must suffer this systematic discrimination and dehumanising (or is it emasculation they wish?) treatment by a system we had presumed was endeavouring to make us better members of society.

If negative reinforcement is their philosophy, our developing attitudes to the system and the society that spawned it, is proof of failure. Anyone attending Cubit for example, learn quickly that truth is irrelevant to the powers controlling this centre and that the only reality is what they proclaim and manipulate us and others into believing as truth, or being judged in denial. One must accept their version, or be as adept as they in falsehood and manipulation to succeed.

Attached are numbers of issues that the IDC has been pursuing here in Area 3 for some time, items which most every other prison in the system take for granted.

Issues such as the excessive number of lock-ins, which occur whenever staff are required in another area "because you guys don't complaint" we couldn't do this in area 6", to the cell searches (ramps) where we don't know from one day to the next what we can have in our cells (even when items are authorised as education, craft or activities for which cell authorities are displayed), items can still be confiscated in what are exceedingly common events. Or just basics, such as salt, warm clothing or adequate Television reception, working showers etc.

Many of these issues have been taken up at meetings over the past three years with little result. Prior to the September 2002 meeting there had not been a meeting for eight months. Our arguments (IDC's) fall on deaf ears, as we cannot support any claim to prisoners rights" still have irregular or non-productive meetings and no form of appeal.

Repeated approaches to the Official Visitor (Ministers Office), who we had thought our advocate, has most often proved futile as the authorities have convinced him of the necessity to run this area in a particular way. Alternatively, the negative response is that "it is a local area directive" or "prison policy", or for the " good order and security of the prison" specific to Area 3 and may change daily, dependent on the whim of the Deputy Governor or the officer hassling us. We fear what will be taken form us next, pottery has just been removed from the wing area and all pottery products and materials confiscated.

Perhaps it will be as one female guard stated "sex offenders would not have televisions if I had my way". Now our other fear is that having brought this to an outsiders " attention, one or all of the members of the IDC will become subject to some form of reprisal.

This can take the form of increased and more destructive cell searches, being moved to a "punishment gaol" for some trumped up charge, having our letters or phone calls more closely scrutinised or some other form of punishment. This is the type of vindictive treatment anyone here can suffer, all under the pretext of "good order and discipline".

Nonetheless, we are tired of seeing our basic rights removed one by one, or no improvement in current conditions despite the best efforts of the IDC, with no excuse given and no access to appeal. We hope that in some way you may be able to assist us in halting and possibly reversing this seriously negative trend.

By Eye Dee Cee You! 26 March 03

THE RABBIT: No dialogue, no social skills, no trust, no new idea's and no obligation by the offenders. And last but not least no truth. Then how are they going to get a carrot? Better still how are you going to get on with them when they get out after you de-socialised them by negative reinforcement over a number of years.

These people went to jail because they offended someone and need skills and insight yet the skills you provide are anti-social to say the least? One would have thought that trust and communication are basic skills that have a role in society in order to relate and to go on and socialise with the whole community..


Related:

5.11 Sex offender programs

DESCRIPTION The Department of Corrective Services provides nine interdependent programs for convicted sex offenders. These are:
Assessments for pre-sentence, reception, clinical and post-release purposes
An educational program (seven sessions) suitable for all sex offenders
A 20 week treatment program suitable for offenders of low to moderate risk levels
The Custody Based Intensive Therapy (CUBIT), a 40 week intensive treatment suitable for medium-high risk offenders
A Maintenance Program for sex offenders who have completed either of the two treatment programs
A Post-release Maintenance Program for offenders who have completed treatment
Regional Supervision
Staff training on management of sex offenders
Program evaluation
CURRENT STATUS Ongoing
FUNDING Identifiable budget for Sex Offender Programs is $2.4 million. However, some additional funds for these programs are built into operational cost centres' funding.
For more information please contact: Department of Corrective Services (Telephone: 02 9219 8100)

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