Why is the prime minister so angry: Leslie

John Howard 'angry'. Not a good role model for a Prime Minister!

IF you were looking at 15 years in a filthy Bali prison what would you do to get out?

Michelle Leslie posed the question and suddenly did not seem the bad person the Prime Minister painted her as.

Fluctuating between strength and vulnerability, the model called a snap conference Friday to hit back at her critics, from the pro-government media in the studio to our infamous Prime Minister John Howard.

"From the day of my arrest until the day I was released, I really believed I would spend the next 15 years of my life rotting in an Indonesian prison," Michelle Leslie said before breaking down, tears dampening her cheeks.

"I can't begin to describe how frightened I was and how confusing it was to find myself in that situation.

"I don't think anyone could blame me or my family or friends for doing everything they could to get me out."

"I think anybody else in that situation would have done the same."

For those unfamiliar with Bali's Kerobokan jail, she offered a quick verbal tour. Her cell was "infested with cockroaches and had no ventilation and no sunlight".

"I had to share that cell with up to 13 women at a time," she said.

The only relief from the heat "was a daily shower with a bucket of cold water in an open sewer".

She then criticised Prime Minister John Howard who -- like his newspaper the Daily Terror and others -- said she should not be paid for her story.

"What has really shocked me is the amount of anger that has been leveled at me, especially from the Prime Minister," Leslie said.

"I know there has been a lot of speculation about whether I was going to tell my story -- let me tell you now, all I ever wanted to do was clear my name and also that my story is not for sale."

She made it clear from the start that she would not talk about her case or criticise the Indonesian legal system, because this could make life worse for other Australians in Bali awaiting their fate.

Her softly spoken father Albert sat on her left.

On her right was mentor Sean Mulcahy.

Albert Leslie spoke with disbelief about his daughter's treatment.

Mr Leslie blasted Foreign Minister Alexander Downer for taking no interest in his family.

Her father, Albert, said he was staggered and amazed Mr Howard would get involved in the case.

Mr Leslie referred to the Bali Nine drug accused, who face possible death sentences for heroin smuggling, and said "... from what we've read and heard, it was his Australian Federal Police that dobbed them in to the Indonesian police - we find that absolutely amazing."

Open letter to Michelle Leslie

Dear Michelle,

Thank you for being such a real person and I hope you get better soon.

Please try and get on with your life now and continue to be what you always wanted to be.

I hope that your friend gets back the $600,000 that your family was robbed of by that evil and corrupt Indonesian government.

I know our government conspired to let it happen, amongst other things, and that they will continue to tell us that Indonesia is a 'true' and 'just' place to be relied upon, 'believed', 'visited', or 'live'.

But most people know that is not true.

John Howard can be a very nasty person and should be removed from public office just for lying to the Australian people about it and everything else he's lied about in the past.

He doesn't set any example to the Australian people because he also has yet to face his own trial for his war crimes against humanity, at the Hague.

Perhaps a taste of prison life would change his mind about what he expects others to endure?

Your case has proved what a lot of people have believed for a very long time now.

Why is the Australian government in bed with Indonesian government?

When we know that Indonesia is amongst the most corrupt governments and that Australia should not be taking for granted anything that the Indonesian government say is true, on face value! Then acting on that advice alone!

People who are being blown up in Indonesia on the dance floor, the cafes and the Embassy deserve nothing but the truth, so help me God and I'm here to provide it!

And dear person you were the one chosen to deliver that message to the people, through the Universe the Highest Power from the kingdom of heaven, and onto planet earth.

So whether you know it or not or whether you like it or not! From me to you 'This is a Sign' and the light. Not an ordinary light, 'superflurient' the 'brightest light'. Chromium Blue in colour.

The Universe has spoken through you and given all Australians a very special gift for Christmas.

Avoid Indonesia like the plague because your life depends on it!

That gift as it should, has now been past on as a gift by your good self - even though you have paid for it dearly.

The big picture though, is that with your help, other people may avoid the DANGER, and may be prevented from having a bad experience, take greater care and survive.

Thanx

PS) John HoWARd and the Coalition of the Killing might be angry because your case shows that his 'deals' and subsequent 'complicity' with Indonesian officals can easily be corrupted or bribed to do or say anything. Therefore you have become the person who has proved that,(amongst many others) and beyond any reasonable doubt.

By In Solidarity 27 November 05

Related:

Indonesian Police Set Free After Torturing West Papuan Students to Death If you thought Schapelle Corby got a raw deal from the Indonesian justice system, spare a thought for the West Papuan students who survived a vicious attack by police as they slept in their dormitories in Abepura, West Papua, in the early hours of 7 December 2000.

Say no to Indonesia as a tourist destination
Australian tourists visiting Bali's nightspots will face random urine tests under an escalating anti-drugs crackdown on the Indonesian holiday island.

WHY IS THE HOWARD GOVERNMENT PLAYING 'DEATH' WITH AUSTRALIANS: There has been much controversy recently on whether the Australian Federal Police should have tipped-off the Indonesians over the arrest of the Bali Nine. Due to the fact that Indonesia executes convicted drug-traffickers, ACADP believes that any evidence collected by AFP should have been withheld from Indonesian authorities until they have a written guarantee not to pursue the death penalty for the Bali Nine.

'CORBY VIDEO HELP REBUFFED'?
On page19 of the BRISBANE "SUNDAY MAIL" there was an article entitled "CORBY VIDEO HELP REBUFFED". IF it is true, (the article which follows) it PROVES (IN LAW) the claim that OUR GOVERNMENT HAVE WITH-HELD EVIDENCE FROM THE LEGAL DEFENCE OF A CITIZEN.

It was me! 'New Corby trial'
SCHAPELLE Corby has been handed a second chance to fight for her freedom. But she got no second chances with the Daily Telegraph.

Australian man denies owning drug stash
AN Adelaide man facing up to 10 years in a Bali prison for drug possession has denied owning a stash of hashish allegedly found at his rented bungalow.

AUSTRALIANS PAY BRIBE TO VISIT CORBY IN BALI PRISON:
The Corby drug trial has become Bali's latest tourist attraction. Australians are taking time off to lend moral support to Schapelle Corby.

Corby lawyer pleads for Australian help
The lawyer for a Queensland woman facing drugs charges in Indonesia says it is not too late for Australian authorities to assist her defence.

THE DRUG-RIDDEN STREETS OF BALI:
Chris Allen, took to the streets of Bali and found it possible to buy a smorgasbord of illegal narcotics from dealers.

People: 'Prisoners' of Drugs'
People who are addicted to heroin usually take the drug because it relieves them of problems such as low self-esteem, distrust and fear of abandonment. They may have poor communication skills & poor relationship skills.

POSSESSION? OR INVASION?
UK: This absolutely preposterous idea/theory of allowing a person/s to be possibly charged with 'possession', if found to have a drug substance within their bloodstream, just goes to prove such hypocrisies which certain hierarchies feel justifies passing legislation, is another blow for democracy!

PLANNING TO TRAVEL OVERSEAS? BEFORE YOU GO, READ THIS!
Currently, 214 Australian citizens are languishing in prisons around the world. The majority of these having been convicted of drug-related crimes.

Alice prisoners riot

Alice Springs Correctional Centre superintendent Peter Rainbird would not say why prisoners had staged the riot.

But he said guards would consult prisoners about concerns in the jail.

The Territory's jail rate is 580 per 100,000 people compared to the national average of 154 per 100,000.

Mick - It's hot - the food is shit and there are next to no rehabilitive programs. I read all the books before my eight days were up. Borrowed more from inmates. Besides all that - most mob shouldn't be in there.

- You could release most of the NT prisoners safely

How the hell are they coping in the heat with a piss-bucket for company?

By Just Us posted 18 November 05

Jail lockdown as riot rages

A TERRITORY jail was locked down yesterday as maximum security prisoners rioted.

Inmates in the reception area of Alice Springs jail's maximum security section barricaded doors and set fire to mattresses about 10am.

Guards responded by locking the jail down and rushing to the area, clearing the prisoners and putting out the fires within an hour.

Eight prisoners involved in the riot were taken to isolation cells.

Alice Springs Correctional Centre superintendent Peter Rainbird would not say why prisoners had staged the riot.

But he said guards would consult prisoners about concerns in the jail.

Supt Rainbird would not say which prisoners were involved in the riot but confirmed it would be investigated and jail procedures would be reviewed.

"Once we finish the investigation we will be able to deal with the issues,'' he said.

NT Police also will investigate the riot and may lay charges of criminal damage against the prisoners.

Firefighters were called out but the fires had been extinguished when they arrived.

The jail's maximum security unit remained in lockdown last night.

"There was only superficial damage caused,'' Supt Rainbird said.

"Public safety was not compromised at the time.'' He described the incident as "moderately serious''.

By ERIC TLOZEK 16nov05

NT Prisons - Close to boiling point
"PRISONERS threatened to riot at Darwin jail after complaining about overcrowding and the quality of food, it was learnt yesterday."

NT Prison stats

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Darwin prison riot threat alert
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Prisoner total rises 15% in six years
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Adler punished for being in prison
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Department of Corrective Services fails to rehabilitate offenders
NSW: Unpopular people will be forced to wear tracking devices at a cost of $5,000 dollars per unit because the NSW Department of Corrective Services failed to rehabilitate those offenders at a cost of $65,000 a year while they were held in custody for many years.

Parole Board Membership
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Corrected or Corrupted
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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.

Prison Action & Reform challenge the Attorney General
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Tasmania PAR banned from Risdon
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Chronology of a Tasmanian Prison System: A Documented Report
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Association for the Prevention of Torture
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PRISON ACTION & REFORM INC: Tas Prison Complaints
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MISTREATED IN CUSTODY - NO ACCOUNTABILTY
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ICOPA XI International Conference on Penal Abolition
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Justice Action: Access to our community
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Risdon prisoners' seize prison to protest mistreatment
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No Safe Place
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MORE PRISONERS LOCKDOWNS HAVE OFFICERS ON EDGE
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Tough line on crime fills jails
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FAMILIES OF PRISONERS FORUM
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LEGAL VISITS AT PARKLEA PRISON
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Parklea Prison: No calls for six days
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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."

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Crime and Punishment
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People: 'Prisoners' of Drugs'
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Justice Denied In NSW Corrective Services
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Prison guards test positive for drugs
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NSW prison visitors banned from using the toilet
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Watchdogs slaughtered in NSW
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'Killing Rational' and Prisoner Control in NSW

Long Bay Prison Hospital

Dear Justice Action,

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.

He also told me they don't have fans in the cell and no air conditioning either and it reaches over 40 degrees. at times. Is this right? I know he's done the crime so he does the time but do they have the right to drug him and deprive him of basic needs?

It just doesn't seem right sometimes.

Yours truly
Pauline.

Ps) Please contact me with any info you can give me about his basic rights.

Hi Pauline,

In response to your e-mail about xxxxx I can tell you I have had the same experience listening to xxxxx drugged up on the phone, knowing they are controlling him by drugs.

What has concerned me is that he is not a 'forensic patient' and was never given either 'diminished responsibility' or found not guilty by reason of 'mental illness' for his crime, yet the Department of Corrective Services and Justice Health continue to control him with drugs in a mental health facility at Long Bay Prison Hospital.

That's not how it starts though. What happens next is called 'Killing Rational'

What the Department of Corrective Services (DCS) does is make up some allegation about a prisoner's behaviour, usually nominating an internal offence.

The prisoner was in a gang, had a mobile phone, was trying to escape, etc. Then they send those 'selected prisoners' to the (HRMU) High Risk Management Unit at Goulburn Correctional Centre (A Supermax prison). And place him or her in solitary confinement (isolation) with no fresh air , sunlight or constructive lifestyle.

This person could even be a remand prisoner or worse someone already suffering a mental illness.

The prisoners are deprived of all basics and made to earn small things in order to survive. DCS do this until the prisoner's head caves in or self harms. Once the damage is done DCS send them to the Long Bay Mental Health Facility and put them on drugs to control them.

See: Where the Norm is Not the Norm: Goulburn Correctional Centre and the 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.

Effectively the 'Department of Corrective Services' and 'Justice Health' (the new clean name given to the Corrections Health Service) are causing prisoners mental illness as a means of retribution and prisoner control. How daunting!

And here is some info about his basic rights. xxxx's file notes were included anonymously in these submissions below:

Indigenous Social Justice Association & Justice Action Mental Health Act Review Submission

Indigenous Social Justice Association & Justice Action Mental Health Act Privacy/Carers Submission

See: Review of the Mental Health Act 1990

1. We contend that the wording of the objects unnecessarily contrasts civil and other rights with effectiveness of treatment. It does not have to be a matter of balance, and in fact we suggest that real care is consistent with rights, dignity etc. The use of the word "control" (in this Section and throughout the whole Chapter) repeatedly with neither qualification nor mitigation leads to a strong impression that all people with psychiatric disabilities are always in need of 'policing' and restriction. We disagree totally and consider this to give rise to prejudicial attitudes and actions by the public and professionals related to perceptions and assumptions of dangerousness and lack of capacity.

See: 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.

Incidentally "Justice Health" may seem more 'just' that's why they changed their name "common government ploy" because they were not "correct" and even worse than hospitals outside the prison- about 10 times worse.

If I were you I would contact the Department of Corrective Service and ask them what xxxx's Case Management Plan is? You may need his permission to do so if you're not related just get xxxxx to send you a Statutory Declaration he's good at that.

See: Crime and Punishment

Prisons, by their nature and the communities they house, suffer more acutely from the social exclusion that characterises the underprivileged parts of Australian society. Without the exacerbation of a custodial experience, these characteristics alone militate against the successful reintegration of prisoners back into the community.

Let me know how you get on (jA)

Justice Action

By Just Us 9 February 05

Related:

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
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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
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Carr Govt dramatic increases in the NSW prisoner pop...
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The ALP's fascist police states
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Death in custody: In memory of Scott Simpson
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Doctor Ron Woodham I presume?
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Sentencing: Violent crime and practical outcomes
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Government justice not personal justice
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You have choses Bob The Barbarian!
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Conditions in the HRMU
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Call for royal commission into NSW prison health system
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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
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Review of Justice Ministers claims about conditions at HRMU
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MENTAL ILLNESS AMONG NEW SOUTH WALES PRISONERS
Anecdotal evidence from staff working in the New South Wales correctional system [prison system] has always suggested a high prevalence of mental illness among the prisoner population.

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.

Goulburn Jail breaches UN standards

Goulburn Prison

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.

Goulburn Jail inmate Christopher Binse secretly issued a questionnaire to more than 140 of his fellow inmates in C-Wing, and the results paint a disturbing picture," said Ms Rhiannon.

The survey showed that although most inmates were very keen to undertake rehabilitation and education programs, they were overwhelmingly not getting the services they needed.

Prisoners are punished by long-term deprivation of liberty. The role of the prison is not to inflict boot-camp hardship on prisoners, but to ensure they don't re-offend when released.

Rehabilitation is crucial to breaking the cycle of criminality. Yet the prisoners' own testimony reveals that not enough is being done to ensure they can integrate back into society.

The survey also found that the clothes provided to prisoners were inadequate in the harsh Goulburn winter, causing many inmates to fall ill.

This is not a luxury, it's a question of basic standards. If minimum standards are not met, the jail runs the risk of simply hardening criminals, rather than solving any behavioural and social problems they have which may cause recidivism.

The inadequate rehabilitation programs and clothing breach the UN standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners. So too does the ethnic segregation practised at the jail.

I congratulate Mr Binse on his survey, and on his ability to overcome conditions at Goulburn and seek to break his own cycle of criminality. I hope his efforts to quantify conditions at Goulburn Jail are heeded by the Justice Minister," Ms Rhiannon said.

Also available: Details on the survey, the UN rules, a copy of Lee's speech to Parliament.

Hans van Leeuwen
Media Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon
Tel: (61 2) 9230 3551
Fax: (61 2) 9230 3550
Mob: 0425 310 562
hans.vanleeuwen@parliament.nsw.gov.

By The Greens posted 17 December 04

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