NEW INDEPENDENT RISDON PRISON REPORT

Justice Action and Prison Action & Reform are not satisfied with the review and will present an independent report to Parliament in August, based upon interviews with prisoners, prison staff and concerned community members.

Community based criminal justice organisation Justice Action and prison lobby group Prison Action & Reform express disappointment with the recent findings of a government report by former Tasmanian Police Assistant Commissioner Luppo Prins into the recent siege at Risdon Prison in Tasmania.

Spokespersons Caroline Dean and Brett Collins agree the review did nothing to understand the underlying issues that caused the incident nor progress prison reform.

"There was no mention of prisoners and why they felt it necessary to take such drastic action to bring national attention to the inadequate conditions and systemic cultural problems within the Tasmanian prison system", Caroline Dean said. "The Attorney has admitted this situation could reoccur and yet she has done nothing to understand the circumstances surrounding the event. It is clear the department has no real interest in changing the culture of the prison despite their rhetoric."

The Attorney General announced an "...independent review of the events contributing to the hostage incident at Risdon Prison..." on 18 May 2005.

Brett Collins and Caroline Dean said the report was not independent and only focused on bureaucratic and procedural security matters, excluding facts embarrassing to the Government.

Justice Action and Prison Action & Reform are not satisfied with the review and will present an independent report to Parliament in August, based upon interviews with prisoners, prison staff and concerned community members.

By Prison Action and Reform Tasmania and JA 29 July 05

Contacts:

PRISON ACTION & REFORM
Caroline Dean 0439 473 938
Vickie Douglas 0403 401 414

JUSTICE ACTION
Brett Collins 02 9660-9111 0438 705 003

Related:

'A Nice Day Out' From Risdon Prison
Arranged for maximum-security prisoner 43637 Trustrum, Thomas Edward, by Justice Pierre W Slicer, Tasmania's Supreme Court human-rights an social-justice crusader.

PRISON ACTION & REFORM INC: Tas Prison Complaints
TASMANIA: Prison Action & Reform was formed in response to the five deaths in custody that occurred between August 1999 and January 2000. Chris Wever, Vickie Douglas, Rose Macaulay, Judith Santos and others came to together to fight for reform in an outdated, increasingly cash-strapped and uncaring system. Of the original members, three lost loved ones to the Tasmanian prison system.

Tasmanian prison support visit
Prisoners from Risdon Prison and Prison Action & Reform (PAR) in Tasmania have requested support from the Australian Prisoners Union and Justice Action following the siege in the prison ending on May 9.

Prison Action & Reform challenge the Attorney General
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Tasmania PAR banned from Risdon
Since then, she and other PAR volunteers, have brought to the public's attention scandalous and inhumane events that have occurred in the prison - which Judy Jackson would have otherwise covered up.

Chronology of a Tasmanian Prison System: A Documented Report
We believe that the people of Tasmania - both victims of crime and the general public - have the right to know that the Tasmania Prison Service is delivering a humane and just system of containment that is conducive to the reintegration of inmates back into Tasmanian society.

Risdon prisoners' seize prison to protest mistreatment
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No Safe Place
In a brief four month span from August 1999, five men died in Tasmania's Risdon prison. Their deaths have put the state's corrections system in the dock and led to the planned demolition of a jail which even the State's Attorney-General now calls an "appalling facility".

Association for the Prevention of Torture
The Optional Protocol requires 20 ratifications to enter into force. All States Parties to the UN Convention against Torture should seriously consider ratifying the OPCAT as soon as possible. National Institutions and others promoting the human rights of people deprived of their liberty need to be informed of their potential role as national preventive mechanisms under the OPCAT.

Corrected or Corrupted
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ICOPA XI International Conference on Penal Abolition
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Tasmanian prison support visit

Prisoners from Risdon Prison and Prison Action & Reform (PAR) in Tasmania have requested support from the Australian Prisoners Union and Justice Action following the siege in the prison ending on May 9.

"Prisoners and prison officers have had their lives put at risk in the siege. It appears that communication channels have been neglected in the Tasmanian Corrective Services Division" said Mr Collins of the Australian Prisoners Union.

"Communication appears to be the problem. We have found that with mutual respect and community access, prison systems function better. That improves prisoners' chances of survival and a safer community when they are released." said Mr Collins.

A delegation has travelled to Hobart to meet with groups and will talk with prisoners, their families and the administration to assist in lowering the tension in the system. They attended Risdon Prison last Sunday May 22 at 10am.

For comments:
Brett Collins 0438 705003
Kat Armstrong 0428 312035

By Justice Action posted 24 May 05

Related:

Prison Action & Reform challenge the Attorney General
Members of Prison Action & Reform are furious with the latest lies from the Attorney General -- Judy Jackson, and demand that she produce evidence to support her ludicrous claims.

Tasmania PAR banned from Risdon
Since then, she and other PAR volunteers, have brought to the public's attention scandalous and inhumane events that have occurred in the prison - which Judy Jackson would have otherwise covered up.

Chronology of a Tasmanian Prison System: A Documented Report
We believe that the people of Tasmania - both victims of crime and the general public - have the right to know that the Tasmania Prison Service is delivering a humane and just system of containment that is conducive to the reintegration of inmates back into Tasmanian society.

Risdon prisoners' seize prison to protest mistreatment
Apparently one prisoner had been mistreated and held in isolation in an SHU (Segregation Housing Unit) [Solitary Confinement] because, he'd had and altercation with a screw. SHUs cause severe mental harm - regarded as torture - and are a cruel, inhumane and degrading way to keep prisoners.

No Safe Place
In a brief four month span from August 1999, five men died in Tasmania's Risdon prison. Their deaths have put the state's corrections system in the dock and led to the planned demolition of a jail which even the State's Attorney-General now calls an "appalling facility".

Association for the Prevention of Torture
The Optional Protocol requires 20 ratifications to enter into force. All States Parties to the UN Convention against Torture should seriously consider ratifying the OPCAT as soon as possible. National Institutions and others promoting the human rights of people deprived of their liberty need to be informed of their potential role as national preventive mechanisms under the OPCAT.

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Prison Action & Reform challenge the Attorney General

TAS: Prison Action & Reform challenge the Attorney General Judy Jackson to a public debate

Members of Prison Action & Reform are furious with the latest lies from the Attorney General -- Judy Jackson, and demand that she produce evidence to support her ludicrous claims.

Last week Hansard revealed Judy Jackson reiterating the claims that Prison Action & Reform had access to the prison at any given time.

Prison Action & Reform have never had any access to inside the prison to see clients. PAR members have been permitted inside the prison on two occasions..

In 2002 an official visit was organized by the Secretary of the department and PAR members viewed changes to Division 7. No clients were seen at this time.

In January 2000 PAR member Vickie Douglas was permitted to view the cell where her son was found dead. She placed a flower at the site.

"We have only ever been allowed to see prisoners in box visits and this we do as private citizens," President of Prison Action & Reform, Caroline Dean said.

"Last Monday I went to the prison to see two people as a private citizen and strangely enough I was denied entry as a private citizen and this directive came from the Director of Prisons".

"Several months ago we sought permission from Director of Prisons to enter the prison as volunteers. This would allow us to visit prisoners at the request of families, or visit prisoner clients. However, a letter from the Director of Prisons stated a formal application process is required for this to happen and Prison Action & Reform have yet to start this process."

"No members of Prison Action & Reform have prison passes that allow 'special access' and contrary to the Attorney General's comments we have never been able to come and go as we wish".

"The only person who has had an ongoing pass has been me in my professional role as tutor to a tertiary student. My role as tutor is completely independent of my role in Prison Action & Reform. I have been a tutor for the last three years to students who are incarcerated.

How is it that the Attorney is mixing up these roles and for what purpose? I can only think this is an opportunistic ploy to discredit Prison Action & Reform by confusing the facts. Obviously while the Attorney uses this ploy the focus is shifted from the daily human rights abuses that occur in the Tasmanian prison system. I wonder if the public is fooled by her tactics-I don't think so," Caroline Dean said.

"Ultimately the only people to be affected by this are the prisoners. My prisoner student is without a tutor and the necessary support that is vital for him to carry out his studies. And prisoners are daily being subjected to daily human rights abuses. While the Attorney uses sensational and desperate tactics to shift the focus away from the appalling system she effectively condones the human rights abuses," Caroline Dean said.

Prison Action & Reform issues an invitation to the Attorney General to publicly debate the state of the Tasmanian prison system with Prison Action and Reform.

By Prison Action & Reform Posted 23 May 05

Contact:
Caroline Dean - 0403 473 938
Vickie Douglas - 0403 401 414

Related:

Tasmania PAR banned from Risdon
Since then, she and other PAR volunteers, have brought to the public's attention scandalous and inhumane events that have occurred in the prison - which Judy Jackson would have otherwise covered up.

Chronology of a Tasmanian Prison System: A Documented Report
We believe that the people of Tasmania - both victims of crime and the general public - have the right to know that the Tasmania Prison Service is delivering a humane and just system of containment that is conducive to the reintegration of inmates back into Tasmanian society.

Risdon prisoners' seize prison to protest mistreatment
Apparently one prisoner had been mistreated and held in isolation in an SHU (Segregation Housing Unit) [Solitary Confinement] because, he'd had and altercation with a screw. SHUs cause severe mental harm - regarded as torture - and are a cruel, inhumane and degrading way to keep prisoners.

No Safe Place
In a brief four month span from August 1999, five men died in Tasmania's Risdon prison. Their deaths have put the state's corrections system in the dock and led to the planned demolition of a jail which even the State's Attorney-General now calls an "appalling facility".

Association for the Prevention of Torture
The Optional Protocol requires 20 ratifications to enter into force. All States Parties to the UN Convention against Torture should seriously consider ratifying the OPCAT as soon as possible. National Institutions and others promoting the human rights of people deprived of their liberty need to be informed of their potential role as national preventive mechanisms under the OPCAT.

Corrected or Corrupted
A psychiatrist from the prison Mental Health Team attached to Queensland Health made the comment that 25 per cent of inmates suffer from a diagnosed mental illness.

ICOPA XI International Conference on Penal Abolition
We are excited to announce that ICOPA X1, the eleventh International Conference on Penal Abolition will happen in Tasmania, Australia from February 9 - 11,2006. Please pass this onto all networks.

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Tasmania PAR banned from Risdon

Risdon Prison Near Hobart

Prison Action & Reform (Tasmania)

PRISON ACTION AND REFORM REPRESENTATIVES, ALONG WITH LAWYER AND POLITICAL COMMENTATOR GREG BARNS, WILL BE COMMENTING ON THE DECISION BY JUDY JACKSON TO BAN PAR FROM RISDON PRISON AT 3PM TODAY OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT HOUSE.

Vickie Douglas founded Prison Action and Reform after the gross failures of the system took the life of her young son after he was raped.

Since then, she and other PAR volunteers, have brought to the public's attention scandalous and inhumane events that have occurred in the prison - which Judy Jackson would have otherwise covered up.

Prison Action and Reform advocates on the behalf of prison officers and prisoners in the interests of a just justice system.

Today they have been banned from the jail.

This decision will have a devastating impact.

PAR and Greg Barns will be commenting on this decision at 3pm today outside Parliament House.

By Prisoners Action and Reform posted 18 May 05

Related:

Chronology of a Tasmanian Prison System: A Documented Report
We believe that the people of Tasmania - both victims of crime and the general public - have the right to know that the Tasmania Prison Service is delivering a humane and just system of containment that is conducive to the reintegration of inmates back into Tasmanian society.

Risdon prisoners' seize prison to protest mistreatment
Apparently one prisoner had been mistreated and held in isolation in an SHU (Segregation Housing Unit) [Solitary Confinement] because, he'd had and altercation with a screw. SHUs cause severe mental harm - regarded as torture - and are a cruel, inhumane and degrading way to keep prisoners.

No Safe Place
In a brief four month span from August 1999, five men died in Tasmania's Risdon prison. Their deaths have put the state's corrections system in the dock and led to the planned demolition of a jail which even the State's Attorney-General now calls an "appalling facility".

Association for the Prevention of Torture
The Optional Protocol requires 20 ratifications to enter into force. All States Parties to the UN Convention against Torture should seriously consider ratifying the OPCAT as soon as possible. National Institutions and others promoting the human rights of people deprived of their liberty need to be informed of their potential role as national preventive mechanisms under the OPCAT.

Corrected or Corrupted
A psychiatrist from the prison Mental Health Team attached to Queensland Health made the comment that 25 per cent of inmates suffer from a diagnosed mental illness.

ICOPA XI International Conference on Penal Abolition
We are excited to announce that ICOPA X1, the eleventh International Conference on Penal Abolition will happen in Tasmania, Australia from February 9 - 11,2006. Please pass this onto all networks.

Ex-Prisoner Locked Out of Prison
The NSW Department of Corrective Services (DCS) has revealed a policy which bans ex-prisoners from entering prisons.

Justice Action: Access to our community
NSW: Justice Action went to the NSW Supreme Court before the last Federal election on the constitutional right for prisoners to receive information for their vote. The government avoided the hearing by bringing prisoners' mobile polling booths forward. We pursued it after the election. This is the report.

Chronology of a Tasmanian Prison System: A Documented Report

'Rest in peace young man' Who was this youth? What happened to him? We would also like to make note that we have had situations of similar natures brought to our attention, which currently is subject to more details and more confirmation. It is disturbing to know, that the youth mentioned was not an isolated incident.

Prison Action and Reform is dedicated to progressive reforms in criminal justice and to the humane treatment of inmates in our prison system.

We believe that the people of Tasmania - both victims of crime and the general public - have the right to know that the Tasmania Prison Service is delivering a humane and just system of containment that is conducive to the reintegration of inmates back into Tasmanian society.

We are a growing group of individuals that span from academics, parents, and family members, ex inmates and concerned individuals; brought together out of our great concern for a system that presently leaves a lot to be desired as presently anarchy lives within our whole Prison System.

We balk at hearing horrific actual happenings to the young offenders who are in prison to serve their time, not to receive assault and battery and become victims of crime.......this is not part of the punishment society decreed.

We are saddened and are also angered that the young and most vulnerable are being and have been harmed immeasurably which leads to their despair, lack of hope and sadly in some youth suicide.

Prison Action and Reform question the validity of The Tasmanian "Executive Government Officers" lack of credence through their lack of action that such crimes within Tasmanian Prisons go unpunished.

Our prison system is operated and staffed by the Department of Justice and Industrial Relations ("DJIR"), through its Corrective Services Division.

There is also staff employed by the Department of Health and Human Services ("DHHS") who comprise the Forensic Mental Health Service ("MHS")

Section 6 (1) Provides in relation to the Director of Corrective Services

(a) For the care and direction of all prisons, prisoners and detainees and the control of all prisons. For the order and control of all prisoner and detainees. Section 29 (1) Every prisoner and detainee has the following rights:

(f) The right to have access to reasonable medical care and treatment necessary for the preservation and health.

(g) If intellectually disabled or mentally ill, the right to have reasonable access within the prison or, with the Director's approval, outside the prison to such special care and treatment as a medical officer considers necessary or desirable in the circumstances."

We began in June 2000 as the lobby group Correctional Justice Reform Alliance which was formed in response to the 5 Deaths In Custody in the period August 1999 to January 2000; we have since broadened with the new lobby group Prison Action & Reform.

We felt that it was necessary to have a group that was completely independent, that was non political and that was non organizational.

In short we answer to nobody.

People who have joined our group no longer feel as isolated and scared, and this in its self is a great accomplishment. The stronger we feel the stronger we fight.

Our ultimate goal would be to bring together all those that have been damaged either as a prisoner or as a family member and make those that were ultimately responsible be made accountable.

For these people are now also victims, they're victims of the system.

We have previously called upon the 'Bacon Government,' for the establishment of a statutory body - a prison inspectorate:

Please note: names have been altered from the original letter.

Dear Mr. Bacon,

We feel that it is time that you were involved and made aware of issues that we have regarding Risdon prison. In particular, we are calling for the establishment of a statutory body - a prison inspectorate - with the express purpose of bringing independent external scrutiny to the standards and operational practices relating to custodial services in Tasmania. We believe that such a body is vital to prison reform and to the provision of progressive, effective prison services in this State. The Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services, recently instituted in Western Australia, provides an exemplary model of this kind of body.

We are very concerned about the secrecy, neglect and the abuse of inmates that so often features in our present prison system. We are especially disturbed by the actions of particular custodial officers, and how they abuse their position of power. We note, as well, that many custodial officers do not appear to be able to meet their job requirements. We are also concerned about the delays in reform to prison operations, to improvements in prison standards and in the development of strategies that would challenge existing prison culture.

While supporting a new and improved Official Visitor role, we do not believe that this is adequate if substantial change and improvements within our prison system are to occur. For this, we require an independent body, that reports to parliament, and which can undertake systematic inspections and policy review.

The Office of the Ombudsman has proven to be very limited, in both the type of activities dealt with under its mandate, and with regard to its actual responses to the problems and grievances of inmates. For example, the recent Coroner's Inquest into deaths at Risdon Prison revealed that both Laurence Santos and Jack Newman had made complaints to the Ombudsman's Office. Neither complaint was responded to or acted upon. We also have in our possession two letters from an inmate that were sent to the ombudsman. One was sent immediately after the death of Chris Douglas, in which the inmate expresses his concern about another inmate who was housed in his yard (Fabian Long.) He writes again after Fabian's death. His letters were never responded to. Fabian's mother also wrote to the Ombudsman raising concerns about her son - again not responded to.

All of those who died, died because they were denied their duty of care, and each of them knew there was nothing they could do to change their situation. Had there been in place an independent body, with the power to address complaints as well as undertake inspections, then our loved one's may not have had to endure what finally pushed them over. They might still be with us today.

Attached is correspondence we have made to Risdon Prison and the Justice Department concerning inmate Tony Bull. There still has not been a satisfactory outcome to this case, and it is still continuing. We have also been inundated with phone calls from families of inmates with similar stories of abuse and mistreatment:

By Prison Action & Reform posted 11 May 05

Related

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No Safe Place
In a brief four month span from August 1999, five men died in Tasmania's Risdon prison. Their deaths have put the state's corrections system in the dock and led to the planned demolition of a jail which even the State's Attorney-General now calls an "appalling facility".

Association for the Prevention of Torture
The Optional Protocol requires 20 ratifications to enter into force. All States Parties to the UN Convention against Torture should seriously consider ratifying the OPCAT as soon as possible. National Institutions and others promoting the human rights of people deprived of their liberty need to be informed of their potential role as national preventive mechanisms under the OPCAT.

Corrected or Corrupted
A psychiatrist from the prison Mental Health Team attached to Queensland Health made the comment that 25 per cent of inmates suffer from a diagnosed mental illness.

ICOPA XI International Conference on Penal Abolition
We are excited to announce that ICOPA X1, the eleventh International Conference on Penal Abolition will happen in Tasmania, Australia from February 9 - 11,2006. Please pass this onto all networks.

Ex-Prisoner Locked Out of Prison
The NSW Department of Corrective Services (DCS) has revealed a policy which bans ex-prisoners from entering prisons.

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FAMILIES OF PRISONERS FORUM
14,500 children in NSW go to bed each night with a parent in prison!

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Detention Centres, Solitary Confinement
On Friday night the NSW Council for Civil Liberties awarded Sydney solicitor John Marsden honorary life membership. Julian Burnside was invited to make the speech in Marsden's honour. In the course of his speech, Burnside referred to the unregulated use of solitary confinement in Australia's immigration detention centres, criticising it as inhumane and also as unlawful.

In memory of the late Bob Jewson
Some will remember that Bob was In the Bathurst riot in February 1974 and was a leading member of the Prisoners Action Group now - (JusticeACTION) upon his release. He wrote Stir, the screenplay upon which the film Stir was based. He played a major role in agitating for a Royal Commission into the events at Bathurst, and when the Nagle Commission commenced hearings Bob was to be found every day sitting in court for the duration, following proceedings for the PAG.

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2nd Renaissance - Beyond Industrial Capitalism and Nation States Some Practicalities Of Emptying The Prisons [287] Given the importance that prisons and punishment have in maintaining control of increasingly restless populations, the task of achieving the release of the people in the jails and the closure of those institutions, seems daunting. But it is so vital to the 2nd Renaissance that we must find ways to do it.

Hayes Prison Farm

There is a problem...let's get to the bottom of it... fix it and move forward

Tasmania: Prison Action & Reform believes the management practices at the minimum security facility, Hayes Prison Farm need to be overhauled.

"Since late January there have been eight escapes and the question we need to ask is why? A pattern has developed here - one or two escapes may indicate a personal problem but eight indicates a deeper systemic problem." Caroline Dean, President of Prison Action and Reform said.

"Why have eight prisoners escaping and a lot of questions. Some had little time left to serve on their sentences and have now added custodial time to their sentence; they have lost their minimum security status; lost eligibility for parole; know that they will be moved back to Risdon Maximum security prison; and have an escape on their record. But perhaps the most important question to ask is, why have they chosen to escape now? What do all these factors have in common and what is the pattern indicating? Clearly this pattern is not indicating that this is just a case of a few people reacting negatively to news from home but a more concerning and complex problem."

Yesterday, Director of Prisons Graeme Barber, called for an immediate review into the prisoner's classification system.

Prison Action & Reform does not see this as the whole solution and the issue of overcrowding within the prison system must have an impact across the whole system including Hayes.

"The problem is more complex and deserves a more complex and thorough response. The investigation must include the issue of overcrowding and the classification system but also how prisoner's sentences are managed. In other words, an examination of the management practices of the farm." Caroline Dean said.

"If the State government is as interested in prison reform as they say they are, then this is the time to put their money where their collective mouth is. The community has listened to the rhetoric of prison reform and the ever present chant that the new prison will fix everything, but here is a classic problem that indicates structural and cultural problems. A new prison is not going to be able to fix that. This problem demands a systemic response."

Penal reform demands a multi-focus and constructive approach from all political parties and the community.

"It is easy for the Opposition to focus on gaining political mileage at the expense of good penal practice. It is not helpful to have a negative focus that blames prisoners for this problem. Prisoners do not have any legitimate platform within the prison system to disagree with decisions that are taken about them. This is not about individual prisoners escaping but why they are escaping. The Opposition would do well to demand an extensive investigation that uncovered the complexity of the problem and provided systemic solutions."

Prison Action & Reform over the last few years have seen the solutions to systemic problems within the prison system often resulting in punitive responses that directly and immediately impact on prisoners while the real problems go unresolved.

"Punitive responses have a direct impact on the community. These practices don't allow for a rehabilitative focus and instead contribute to creating more damaged people leaving the prison system. Ultimately the community pays the price through higher re-offending rates and less safe communities".

"We urge the State Government to get to the bottom of this problem. The problem demands a well thought out and constructive response."

Contact:
Caroline Dean - 62 280292 - 0403 473 938
Vickie Douglas - 62 271420 - 0403 401 414

By PAR posted 8 March 05

Related:

Tough line on crime fills jails
The tough law-and-order policies of governments around the nation are behind an explosion in the prison population by almost 80 per cent in the past two decades.

Prison boom will prove a social bust
Hardened criminals are not filling NSW's prisons - the mentally ill and socially disadvantaged are, writes Eileen Baldry.

The prison system requires assiduous oversight
As NSW Attorney General Bob Debus noted in 1996: "The kinds of complaints which occur in the system may seem trivial to outsiders but in the superheated world of the prison, such issues can produce explosive results."

Crime and Punishment
Mark Findlay argues that the present psychological approach to prison programs is increasing the likelihood of re-offending and the threat to community safety.