Showing posts with label parklea-prison. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parklea-prison. Show all posts

Friday, March 11, 2005

MORE PRISONERS LOCKDOWNS HAVE OFFICERS ON EDGE

NSW POLICE Commissioner Ken Moroney has issued an ultimatum as well, to the lawless youths holding Sydney's streets to ransom?: Learn some respect or face jail?

NSW: Staff shortages are continuing to cripple the day to day running of the state's prisons, with correctional officers worried about their safety from constant prisoner lockdowns.

"inmates at Parklea prison have experienced four straight days of lockdowns in the past week due to staff shortages", says Shadow Justice Minister Andrew- Humpherson.

The situation is even worse at Silverwater's MRRC, (Metropolitan Reman and Reception Centre) where prison officers report inmate lockdowns averaging almost every second day for the last four months.

"Prison officers are telling the Opposition that they fear for their safety as the situation becomes increasingly tense in the system," says Mr Humpherson.

Angry prisoners are being locked away increasingly because of staff shortages.

"It's happening right across the system, more than 170 lockdowns in December and January alone.

"The Carr Government has allowed the prison system to decay to such a state that something is going to give and concerned prison officers are telling us it will be sooner than later.

The prison system is running on overtime.

"The problem is, some prison officers have been working so much overtime that they are now feeling the strain and are refusing to take on more shifts."

"That has meant there are no available officers to replace them and the only option is to lock prisoners in their cells."?

In addition it also means that the prison system in NSW is overcrowded. A spokesman for the NSW Justice Minister, John Hatzistergos, said there were more than 9000 people in NSW jails - a 50 per cent rise since 1995 - and another 18,000 offenders being supervised in the community.

So not only are prisoners locked down for 23 hours a day but they don't get the education, work skills or programs so very necessary for any type of rehabilitation? Some would argue that that was the very reason they were sent to prison.

Most prisoners are sent to prison because they lack social skills so how is locking them up for 23 hours a day going to fix the problem? More likely these prisoners' will be released out on the streets very, very angry men. Then what? You?

Humpherson: "Families with young children are travelling long distances from the country for visitations at prisons such as Parklea, only to be met by a crude sign on the front gate which tells them "there will be no visits allowed".

Recruitment is at a crawl as the Government slashes the Corrective Services budget to pay for other failings.

"The Carr Government is hoping that the "out of sight out of mind" principal will apply to our? (their) prisons and the public won't find out."?

"But that is not the case."

"Disillusioned prison officers will continue to walk out on the system as more than 140 did just last year."

"The prison population will continue to hover around record levels with not even the bare minimum number of prison officers to cover shifts."

"Worst of all, angry prisoners will be released back into the community aware that they were too often locked away from any courses which would help their reparation."

"The Carr Government has been opening shiny new jails with no thought as to how it is adequately gong to staff them."

"The measure of success of the prison system is protecting the community both during and after the offenders do their time."

"To achieve this, rehabilitation has to be the priority and repeated lockdowns increase the likelihood of re-offending." Mr Humpherson said.

At this time recidivism in NSW is around 42 per cent what will it be like 5 years from now?

By Andrew Humpherson MP and Just Us posted 11 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.

LEGAL VISITS AT PARKLEA PRISON
I am a prisoner in NSW and I am currently held in Parklea Prison. I am concerned about what is going on in NSW prisons and this is my story.

Parklea Prison: No calls for six days
The last calls that were made out of Parklea Correctional Complex by my partner, an inmate in remand at Parklea, was on Wednesday 2 February. The phone lines for the inmates have been out of service to this date.

Prison visits in crisis in NSW
The reason I am writing today is to address a difficult situation that my husband and my family are going through. My husband is currently serving a sentence at Lithgow Correctional Centre in NSW.

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.

Justice Denied In NSW Corrective Services
There used to be a (VJ) or Visiting Justice who would go into the prison and judge any claim or accusation that was made by any prisoner or prison guard. If it were found that a prisoner had offended then punishment was metered out.

Prison guards test positive for drugs
NSW prison visitors banned from using the toilet The visit is only for about one hour and any thing less than that is an insult. If it's proved that a visitor has broken the rules the punishment should apply to them. But collective punishment on all visitors should not be made general when others haven't broken the rules especially if it restricts all visitors from normal human needs like using a toilet.

NSW prison visitors banned from using the toilet
The New South Wales Government has introduced several initiatives to stop contraband getting into prisons they said last Friday. But under the guise of "stricter rules" the department had also introduced banning all visitors including children from using the toilet unless they terminate their visit at any NSW prison after using the toilet.

Watchdogs slaughtered in NSW
On Tuesday the Carr Government reduced transparency and accountability yet again and New South Wales is in danger of becoming entrenched with cronyism and intimidations with the Carr Labor Government that continues to slaughter the watchdogs.

Thursday, March 3, 2005

NSW Corrective Services: Security Threat Group?

They want to see a (VJ)! A VISITING JUSTICE!

Hi there, we recently visited a very friendly social group called Justice Action for some help.

The problem we have is that our boyfriends are in prison and are being excluded from their friend's in the main prison and are being mistreated in an inhumane an degrading way.

Firstly, they were housed at Parklea Prison back in 2003, they were accused of being gang leaders (who deserve special treatment) the consequences of which Ron Woodham the NSW Commissioner of Corrective Services doesn't have to prove and most likely won't be at all challenged on it by any 'toothless watchdog's' that are beholding to the authorities, regardless of the real truth.

These alleged gang leaders of all ethnic groups are house in the one unit within the prison parameters and are separated from the main prisoners', effectively dividing and conquering any idea about socialising with other prisoners (de-socialisation). Pretty normal?

In 2004, our loved ones and the rest of those prisoners were all transferred to the 'Supermax' prison at Goulburn Correctional Centre at the HRMU.

As for the conditions at the HRMU there have been many reports. Click on the link below.

The STG prisoners' are gassed and have been gassed in their unit when things get out of hand and the problem is that others get collective punishment by being gassed too because they cannot escape from their cells.

Jill says, "My boyfriend gets gassed and is suffering Asma and so is his friends because they cannot escape as the gas affects everyone in the unit regardless of who was gassed.

In 2004 our boyfriends were transferred to Lithgow Correctional Centre in a special Unit. Perspex was placed over the windows leaving only a golf ball size hole for air to breathe.

In short they are ventilated with stale air and have trouble breathing and are gassed, this is degrading treatment as they cannot escape the gas in their cells and have been closed in for up to 23 hours a day.

Justice Action informs us we should ask the Department of Corrective Services for their 'Case Management Plan'?

We hope with our friends help we can see what the departments intentions are in relation to the rest of the time they must serve in prison and how long they must be isolated and mistreated.

They have gassed our loved one's in November 2004 then gassed again in February 2005.

They've had enough and our loved ones have asked us for help. There names have been withheld so there won't be any retaliation by DCS! We hope! But if we don't speak out for them there is no one else.

This gas causes sickness and as I have said Asma to some of those caught up in this process.

We have been advised to draft letters to the Minister for Justice Mr John Hazistergos, The Commissioner Ron Woodham and the office of the NSW Ombudsman.

Furthermore, we have also been told not to expect any help from those people. Because in the past they have failed to assist when complaints were acknowledged by them but were not acted upon by the State or the State Ombudsman's office for 11 months. Complaints were made in relation to the HRMU from 2003-2004, and to date no action against the authorities has ever been taken?

In that case Justice Aciton sent the prisoners at the HRMU a form to get the prisoners' authorisation to act on their behalf and those authorities were confiscated by the Commissioner of Corrective Services for the good order and security of the prison?

That meant that under the 'Privacy Act' Justice Action could not act on their behalf and take up their complaints with the authorities?

They told us that they thought the Privacy Act was for people who wanted privacy not for public authorities to withhold authorisations from prisoners seeking assistance or who are in grave danger?

That is why we have raised this article to inform the community of the dangers and hopefully shine some light into the Darkness of the Alleged Corrective Services.

Prison is not a normal environment

It makes no sense to mistreat people just because they're popular or someone doesn't like them.

Does the DCS have some other motive to house them at low cost or to claim that there is some need to treat people like that?

If they have friends (because they're well liked) then they're gang leaders? Excuse us, but can we have a report with a Case Management Plan that conforms to a common sense approach opposed to a collective punishment regime, exclusion, inhumane and degrading treatment and brutality, whilst in the custody of the STATE! We're not going to take this anymore and we've been asked by our loved ones for some help.

Justice Denied In NSW Corrective Services
There used to be a (VJ) or Visiting Justice who would go into the prison and judge any claim or accusation that was made by any prisoner or prison guard. If it were found that a prisoner had offended then punishment was metered out.

By Jill and Natali 3 February 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.

LEGAL VISITS AT PARKLEA PRISON
I am a prisoner in NSW and I am currently held in Parklea Prison. I am concerned about what is going on in NSW prisons and this is my story.

Parklea Prison: No calls for six days
The last calls that were made out of Parklea Correctional Complex by my partner, an inmate in remand at Parklea, was on Wednesday 2 February. The phone lines for the inmates have been out of service to this date.

Prison visits in crisis in NSW
The reason I am writing today is to address a difficult situation that my husband and my family are going through. My husband is currently serving a sentence at Lithgow Correctional Centre in NSW.

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.

Justice Denied In NSW Corrective Services
There used to be a (VJ) or Visiting Justice who would go into the prison and judge any claim or accusation that was made by any prisoner or prison guard. If it were found that a prisoner had offended then punishment was metered out.

Watchdogs slaughtered in NSW
On Tuesday the Carr Government reduced transparency and accountability yet again and New South Wales is in danger of becoming entrenched with cronyism and intimidations with the Carr Labor Government that continues to slaughter the watchdogs.

The ALP's fascist police states
Welcome back Sid-in-knee. Old Falangist Samaranch would surely feel right at home in any number of fascist police states around this wide brown land today. Who needs Franco when you have Beattie, Rann, Carr, Bracks and co. Flamin' fascist fucks the lot of them.

You have choses Bob The Barbarian!
New laws to make it difficult for people charged with terrorism offences to get bail have been whisked through the New South Wales Parliament after only being introduced earlier today.

Carr Govt dramatic increases in the NSW prisoner pop...
Following the opening of the 500 bed Kempsey prison, and a new 200-bed prison for women at Windsor the Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) and community organisations specialising in the rehabilitation of prisoners, have expressed concern....

A TOTAL ABUSE OF POWER
We the prisoners at the High Risk Management Unit at Goulburn Correctional Centre would like to ask you for help in receiving equal treatment and opportunities as other prisoners throughout the system. As we are told that we are not in a segregation unit but we are treated as though we are in one.

Monday, February 21, 2005

LEGAL VISITS AT PARKLEA PRISON

I am a prisoner in NSW and I am currently held in Parklea Prison. I am concerned about what is going on in NSW prisons and this is my story.

On 19 January 2005, my solicitor, Ms Shiranioa George came out to Parklea prison to see me on a legal visit. Now, my case is finished...

I'm sentenced and lost on appeal at the Supreme Court, but I have some other legal issues that have to be dealt with. Such as I'm working on an appeal to the High Court, my assets, and some issues in relation to my brother's legal matters. All of which are true, and I cannot talk about those issues to anyone because it is privileged information protected by lawyer/client confidentiality.

On that afternoon, approx 2.30 pm officer Jim Woods [Area Manager] - used to be head of intelligence in 2001-02 (but I think he's been demoted) anyway he canceled my legal visit which he had no right to do.

I spoke with my solicitor the next day on the phone and she told me that Jim Woods accused her of sneaking inside Unit 3 compound. Unit 3 is for protection, which is separate to the Unit 2, which is the main area.

Ms George wanted to see me because Ms George and I are very close friends and have been for years. It is my understanding that there are no laws in seeing an inmate even if they're both friends. And she didn't sneak in to Unit 3 compound; she followed procedure by filling out the paperwork upon entering the prison.

We also had this problem in 2001, when my lawyer made a contact visit. A big deal was made, and officer Woods complained about it. Ms George was given a choice to either see me on a legal visit or contact visits but not both. So she chose to utilise the legal visit and has not been on a contact visit with me since.

Officer Woods has no right to cancel my legal visit with my solicitor as I'm entitled to it and I believe it is my right and I'm sick of his prejudice accusations.

My lawyer has filed a complaint against Woods and I'm waiting to see the Area Manager who is in charge of Unit 3 to discuss the problem. I'm classified to Parklea and don't want to move jails.

I'm hoping that my talking it out would solve the problem. I'll let you know the outcome.

By Will Irani 21 February 05

Ed: The Commissioner of Corrective Services has very wide discretionary powers for the 'Good Order and Security of the Prisons'.

You should also complain to the Ombudsman and see what they say about it so the complaint is acknowledged - for the record.

But we have opposed many decisions made by the Commissioner and have complained to the Ombudsman, but they say they cannot make the Commissioner change his discretionary decisions or even compel him to show any proof why a decision was made.

Please note the clause under 'Relevant administrative law principles' particularly,

"Exercising a discretion in a way that is so unreasonable that no reasonable person would have exercised the power in that way."

Now ask yourself, is Ron Woodham a reasonable person? Well according to his curriculum vitae he's not! And if you can't beat that you're done with the authorities, especially if the Commissioner and his 'cronies' don't like your head.

The other option would perhaps be a legal one so you may need to arrange a legal visit with your solicitor? But regrettably that may just start the whole exercise off again - in an endless loop......

But then again it is my understanding that a prison is not a normal environment and once you're there, you're disabled, even if you were disabled when you were sent there.

And, it is also my 'experience' that the only 'rights' you really have in prison, is from the powers that be.

Attached for your perusal 'Public Sector Agencies fact sheet No 4 NSW Ombudsman'-

Discretionary Powers.

Let us know how you get on we could even make this into a serial segment.

What about?

HERE WE GO ROUND THE CORRUPTIVE SERVICES BUSH....

EVERY BEST WISH


Related:

fact sheet No 4 Discretionary Powers

What are discretionary powers?

Discretionary powers are permissive, not mandatory. They are powers granted either under statute or delegation which do not impose a duty on the decision-maker to exercise them or to exercise them in a particular way. Within certain constraints, decision-makers are able to choose whether and/or how to exercise discretionary powers.

How must they be exercised?

No public official has an unfettered discretionary power. Public officials must exercise discretionary powers in accordance with any applicable legal requirements, reasonably, impartially and avoiding oppression or unnecessary injury.

Agencies should adopt policies and procedures which set out the general approach to be followed in at least each major area of activity for which they are responsible. This should ensure that the agency's powers are exercised consistently from case to case, unless the merits of any particular case justify a different approach.

Relevant administrative law principles

In exercising discretionary powers, various principles of administrative law require public officials to:

* use discretionary powers in good faith and for a proper purpose (ie, honestly and only within the scope of and for the purpose for which the power was given)
* base their decision on logically probative material (ie, logical reasons, information that proves the issues in question, relevant and reliable evidence)
* consider only relevant considerations and not consider irrelevant considerations
* give adequate weight to a matter of great importance but not give excessive weight to a relevant factor of no great importance
* exercise their discretion independently and not act under the dictation or at the behest of any third person or body
* give proper, genuine and realistic consideration to the merits of the particular case, and not apply policy inflexibly, and
* observe the basic rules of procedural fairness (ie, natural justice).

Other principles of administrative law preclude public officials from:

* making decisions in matters in which they have an actual or reasonably perceived conflict of interests
* improperly fettering their own discretion (or that of future decision-makers) by, for example, adopting a policy that prescribes decision-making in certain circumstances
* exercising a discretion in a way that is so unreasonable that no reasonable person would have exercised the power in that way
* exercising a discretionary power in such a way that the result is uncertain
* acting in a way that is biased or conveys a reasonable perception of bias
* making decisions that are arbitrary, vague or fanciful
* refusing to exercise a discretionary power in circumstances where the decision-maker is under a duty to do so, or
* unreasonably delaying the making of a decision that the decision-maker is under a duty to make.

It is a serious matter for public officials to ignore valid advice or valid considerations, particularly for the purposes of avoiding discomfort or embarrassment on the part of the government, agency or decision-maker.

Policies and practices to guide the exercise of discretionary power

Not every situation demands a policy, and policies are not a panacea capable of properly addressing all circumstances. However, policies are an important means of guiding decision-makers in exercising discretionary powers appropriately, consistently and fairly.

Policies should include an objective and the criteria to be used in decision-making to help ensure that:

* all relevant legal requirements are complied with
* all relevant factors are considered
* there is consistency in decision-making, and
* the decision-making process is transparent and accountable.

As a matter of principle, it is unacceptable for an agency to adopt and implement a policy that adversely affects, or could adversely affect, the rights or interests of any member of the public where the existence or content of the policy is kept secret or the policy document is not available for inspection and purchase on request.

Policies adopted by agencies should be communicated to relevant staff and members of the public. In this regard, s.15 of the Freedom of Information Act requires that agencies must ensure each of their policy documents are available for inspection and purchase by members of the public.

Government circulars, memoranda and codes of practice

There is usually no legally enforceable obligation to comply with government circulars, memoranda and relevant industry or generally accepted codes of practice. However in the interests of fairness, equity and consistency, decision-makers should have regard to them and comply with their terms unless there are justifiable, and preferably documented, reasons for taking another course of action.

Implementing policies and procedures consistently

Policies should not be applied rigidly without proper consideration of the particular circumstances and merits of each individual case.

There will be occasions where there are justifiable grounds for not following policies, practices, codes or guidelines. Where an agency, with good and preferably documented reason, departs from a consistent application of a policy, this does not create a precedent which binds the agency.

Such decisions are relevant and important considerations, but are not binding. Conversely, where an agency frequently departs from or ignores a policy, the policy would seem to have little weight or relevance and would need review.

Related:

Parklea Prison: No calls for six days
The last calls that were made out of Parklea Correctional Complex by my partner, an inmate in remand at Parklea, was on Wednesday 2 February. The phone lines for the inmates have been out of service to this date.

Prison visits in crisis in NSW
The reason I am writing today is to address a difficult situation that my husband and my family are going through. My husband is currently serving a sentence at Lithgow Correctional Centre in NSW.

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.

Justice Denied In NSW Corrective Services
There used to be a (VJ) or Visiting Justice who would go into the prison and judge any claim or accusation that was made by any prisoner or prison guard. If it were found that a prisoner had offended then punishment was metered out.

Prison guards test positive for drugs
NSW prison visitors banned from using the toilet The visit is only for about one hour and any thing less than that is an insult. If it's proved that a visitor has broken the rules the punishment should apply to them. But collective punishment on all visitors should not be made general when others haven't broken the rules especially if it restricts all visitors from normal human needs like using a toilet.

NSW prison visitors banned from using the toilet
The New South Wales Government has introduced several initiatives to stop contraband getting into prisons they said last Friday. But under the guise of "stricter rules" the department had also introduced banning all visitors including children from using the toilet unless they terminate their visit at any NSW prison after using the toilet.

Watchdogs slaughtered in NSW
On Tuesday the Carr Government reduced transparency and accountability yet again and New South Wales is in danger of becoming entrenched with cronyism and intimidations with the Carr Labor Government that continues to slaughter the watchdogs.

Wednesday, February 9, 2005

Parklea Prison: No calls for six days

Parklea Prison
Dear Justice Action,

The last calls that were made out of Parklea Correctional Complex by my partner, an inmate in remand at Parklea, was on Wednesday 2 February. The phone lines for the inmates have been out of service to this date.


This is proving to be a major emotional struggle, which triggered my thoughts and actions to take drastic measures as with the Hunger Strike.

I am not coping well with this isolation. I am sincerely saddened, and I don't know how to deal with the pain.

I went through this same distress the week beginning 23 January 2005, where again the same problem existed. The phones were down for a whole week.

What can be done?

Anita

Hi Anita,

Did you try writing to your partner?

Contact: Parklea Prison
PO Box 6148
Blacktown 2148
Ph: 9626 7122

Sometimes there is little or no phone access in prison because of overcrowding, excessive lockdowns or measures having regard for the ultimate control by the Department of Corrective Services 'For the good order and security of the gaol'.

However there should be a welfare officer at Parklea so contact the prison on the phone number above and ask the welfare officer to get your friend to ring you up. Welfare can arrange emergency calls if they want to.

Let me know if there is no welfare officer at Parklea?

A hunger strike is an extreme measure and I would like to invite you to the idea that there is never 'only one-way to solve a problem'. On a scale from say, 1-10 your extreme measure rates 10.

By writing a letter to your partner it will serve at least two purposes.

It will get what is bothering you off your chest.

And get you around the phone problem for now.

If you remain on a hunger strike you will only do your self harm.

Let us help you and be our friend because we already know other ways to help you without you taking extreme measures that probably won't work in your endeavour to contact your partner.

Ask the prison if there are any problems with the phone and explain your situation about not being able to make contact with you partner for six days.


Justice Action

By Just Us 9 February 05

Related:

'Killing Rational' and Prisoner Control in NSW
I'm writing to you regarding xxxx, he has rung me a few times in the past weeks and has been drugged to the max, he rang today twice and could hardly speak to me, he said he was going to ring you and talk to you about it but he couldn't so I told him I would get in contact with you and see what you could do! He has told them he doesn't want the sedatives but they hold him down and give it to him anyway, they have drugged him 4 times in the last 2 days he said.

Prison visits in crisis in NSW
The reason I am writing today is to address a difficult situation that my husband and my family are going through. My husband is currently serving a sentence at Lithgow Correctional Centre in NSW.

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."

Goulburn Jail breaches UN standards
NSW: Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has called on Justice Minister John Hatzistergos to bring Goulburn Jail's Maximum Security Wing into line with United Nations standards, after a prison inmate's covert survey of his fellow inmates revealed problems with rehabilitation programs and basic amenities.

Isolation, psychiatric treatment and prisoner' control
The 2003 NSW Corrections Health Service (now Justice Health) Report on Mental Illness Among NSW Prisoners states that the 12 month prevalence of any psychiatric disorder in prison is 74%, compared to 22% in the general community, and while this includes substance disorder the high rate cannot be attributed to that alone.

Where the Norm is Not the Norm: HARM-U
In the absence of public policy, this paper is an attempt to shine a light through the rhetoric and test for coherency in the policy and function of NSW’s only supermax prison, the High Risk Management Unit. Its present use will be compared with the ‘vision’ flogged by the Premier and the Department of Corrective Services (the Department) at its inception in 2001.

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.

NSW Greens lose bid to stop jail boss getting more power
She said the regulation represents "shades of Guantanamo Bay", with the Carr government using draconian measures which fed the resentment and unfairness that caused terrorism.

NSW Prisoners' linked to Osama Bin Laden: Ten News
Allegedly Osama Bin Laden issued a "Fatwa" that was posted on an Islamic Website this morning. Osama Bin Laden's demands included visiting NSW prisoners' at the HRMU for Xmas!

Justice Denied In NSW Corrective Services
There used to be a (VJ) or Visiting Justice who would go into the prison and judge any claim or accusation that was made by any prisoner or prison guard. If it were found that a prisoner had offended then punishment was metered out.

Prison guards test positive for drugs
NSW prison visitors banned from using the toilet The visit is only for about one hour and any thing less than that is an insult. If it's proved that a visitor has broken the rules the punishment should apply to them. But collective punishment on all visitors should not be made general when others haven't broken the rules especially if it restricts all visitors from normal human needs like using a toilet.

NSW prison visitors banned from using the toilet
The New South Wales Government has introduced several initiatives to stop contraband getting into prisons they said last Friday. But under the guise of "stricter rules" the department had also introduced banning all visitors including children from using the toilet unless they terminate their visit at any NSW prison after using the toilet.

The ALP's fascist police states
Welcome back Sid-in-knee. Old Falangist Samaranch would surely feel right at home in any number of fascist police states around this wide brown land today. Who needs Franco when you have Beattie, Rann, Carr, Bracks and co. Flamin' fascist fucks the lot of them.

Carr Govt dramatic increases in the NSW prisoner pop...
Following the opening of the 500 bed Kempsey prison, and a new 200-bed prison for women at Windsor the Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) and community organisations specialising in the rehabilitation of prisoners, have expressed concern....

The ALP's fascist police states
Welcome back Sid-in-knee. Old Falangist Samaranch would surely feel right at home in any number of fascist police states around this wide brown land today. Who needs Franco when you have Beattie, Rann, Carr, Bracks and co. Flamin' fascist fucks the lot of them.

Death in custody: In memory of Scott Simpson
Scott Simpson 34 died in custody on 7 June 2004 leaving behind a child. It is alleged that he hanged himself in a segregation yard at Long Bay Prison Complex. Justice Action has reasons to believe that Scott had been mistreated from the time he was taken into custody and the subsequent events that ensued that led to his sad death. We think that his treatment may well have caused his death.

Doctor Ron Woodham I presume?
"Corrections Health staff provide medical care. However, its staff's authority is essentially limited to making recommendations to corrective services on treatment. Corrective services staff can then decide what treatment can be given."

Sentencing: Violent crime and practical outcomes
In addition introducing restorative justice programs giving the offender a chance to interact with the offended person if they wish and visa-versa. People are not "dogmatic" therefore should be given a second chance opposed to Life means Life!

Government justice not personal justice
Mr Brett Collins of Justice Action said, "Victims should be looked after properly by implementing restorative justice measures and victims should be compensated for their pain and suffering. " However prisoners are entitled to serve their sentences in peace and privacy as well."

You have choses Bob The Barbarian!
New laws to make it difficult for people charged with terrorism offences to get bail have been whisked through the New South Wales Parliament after only being introduced earlier today.

Conditions in the HRMU
Justice Action is trying to obtain documents on behalf of prisoners held in the Goulburn High Risk Management Unit (HRMU) from the Federal Attorney General's Department, Corrective Services Minister's Conference regarding the process described below, in which the Standard Guidelines for Corrections in Australia were adopted. This documentation will help explain the justification for the conditions in the HRMU.

Call for royal commission into NSW prison health system
Mr Tony Ross a social justice activist said yesterday that a royal commission into the health system in NSW should be wide reaching to ensure that the Corrections Health Service is also exposed because of reported widespread cover ups in the prisons health system.

A TOTAL ABUSE OF POWER
We the prisoners at the High Risk Management Unit at Goulburn Correctional Centre would like to ask you for help in receiving equal treatment and opportunities as other prisoners throughout the system. As we are told that we are not in a segregation unit but we are treated as though we are in one.

On the treatment of prisoners at the NSW HRMU
Prisoners sister's letter from her brother: Following our phone conversation some weeks ago I would like to set out a few points on the treatment of prisoners in the High Risk Management Unit at Goulburn (Super Max) (Guantanamo Bay).

Review of Justice Ministers claims about conditions at HRMU
There is no fresh air in our cells only Air conditioning pumped out of an 8 x 8-centimetre vent over our beds. Conditions change with filthy moods of the prison guards. Induction clothing "one set" mostly shorts and a prisoner remains there for two weeks depending whatever suits the staff. If a prisoner shuts up about the abuse, and freezing conditions (Goulburn cold in winter hot in summer taking into account you're housed in concrete) then you may go to units 8 or 9.

Watchdogs slaughtered in NSW
On Tuesday the Carr Government reduced transparency and accountability yet again and New South Wales is in danger of becoming entrenched with cronyism and intimidations with the Carr Labor Government that continues to slaughter the watchdogs.

Escape proof but not so the prisoners mind
Fewer prisoners escape from prison these days because they're "cemented in" by materials that do not break and by legislation that can keep prisoners in jail until they die.

Carr's Castle the real story H.R.M.U.The High Risk Management Unit Goulburn Correctional Centre. A prisoner writes, " I was unsuccessful in my letters to Dr Matthews CEO of the Corrections Health Service on my problem regarding air - claustrophobic effect the cells have on me. Just recently the management decided my injuries are not seriously affecting me so no further discussions are necessary.