As the Sun Sets on 2002

As the year 2002 rapidly dies and 2003 begins its birth pains, a sense of urgency rises from the very bowels of the Earth. Frantic movement, urgent completions. Goodbyes blended with joy and despair.

The tentacles of personal and global uncertainties pervade all our lives. Fear and hope are held in the palm of one hand.

The yearning to connect is only matched by the desire to withdraw into the safety of isolation. How much courage does it take to reach out to another, to understand them, to walk in anothers shoes, even for a day? "What difference can I make in this world?"

Nelson Mandela reminds us that Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure, it is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant"? Actually, who are you NOT to be?

I see the beauty in you. I see the greatness in you. My New Year wish for you is that you allow yourself to be seen and heard by the world.

Hamba Kahle (Zulu for "Go Well")

Apache Blessing

May the sun bring you new energy by day,
May the moon softly restore you by night,
May the rain wash away your worries
And the breeze blow new strength into your being,
And all of the days of your life,
May you walk gently through the world
And know its beauty

Posted by Allan Rudner Dec 30 2002

THE CHICKEN: The reason Howard is telling us to watch out for anything suspicious is because we went to war with Iraq. All the way with the USA.

Related:

AUSTRALIA 2002: POLICE STATE LOOMING
As we go to press (December 2002), both the Federal parliament and the NSW parliament are debating legislation that would give police and ASIO agents greater powers of search, interrogation and detention, and significantly erode the fundamental rights of citizens. In both cases, of course, the alleged purpose of the bills is to combat terrorism.

Govt plays down reports of complicity to torture its own citizens
The complicit federal Government says reports there are two highly trained members of Al Qaeda operating in Australia selling GI and are consistent with information it has already released.

Transcript: Abu Bakar Bashir
So actually America wants to fight the Moslems and Islam in Indonesia but using the excuse of terrorism so that it wont be openly (seen as fighting Islam) but under the terror camouflage. This is what I understand about the developments of the investigation into the Bali bombing as well as the other (bombing cases).

GI Strikes again! Plots plots and more plots
Gi's foiled plot to bomb foreign embassies in Singapore, including the Australian high commission, would have to use high sugar levels at the controls of cordial laden truck, a US interrogation of a key GI figure has revealed.

Alarm over terror in 'Australia'?
All of the families ASIO raided in October were believed to have attended the weekend camps, which have run for the past five years. GI cordial was on the refreshment list of drinks.

Special powers? Or political grandstanding?
In NSW, great slews of legislation over the past year have increased powers for everything from police to sniffer pups and train guards and vastly reduced the rights of individuals to engage in civil disobedience, freedom of expression and communication with each other.

First strike and you're out!
The ideology of a super loser? John Howard shocks the nation again. A nation who cannot believe Howard's stupidity following his [complicity in the CIA's false flag operation, the Bali bombing.]

UN charter doesn't reflect new self-defence needs: Hill?
The Defence [War] Minister, Robert Hill, says the United Nations' charter needs to be changed to help countries defend themselves against potential threats. [?] [Pre-emptive strikes on soveriegn nation states like Iraq and Afghanistan?]

Middle Eastern: Specific Legislation
"If there is a target person the police would have powers in relation to that type of person," Mr Costa said. Asked what he meant by "type of person", Mr Costa said: "The example that's been given is if there's a description of somebody, an identikit photograph released by Interpol or other agencies ... these powers may well be exercised on that type of person."

Suspicious police are not trusted to terrorise the community
Short memory my friends when just around the corner police were out of control and now you want to trust Police in NSW to be given extraordinary powers to search vehicles, sites and even a general "type of person" in the event of a terrorism threat or after a terrorist attack.

Howard defends terror alert
Prime Minister John Howard says the Federal Government would not have issued a terror alert if it had not come from a credible source. (America?) Speaking for the first time since the Government revealed the warning, Mr Howard says he wants people to be more careful, but not to stop living. [As long as they don't go dancing in Bali? And sure we'll all be depressed for as long as John Howard and Bob Carr say so.]

Carr backs Fed Govt's terror alert
New South Wales Premier Bob Carr has defended the Federal Government's decision to issue a warning to Australians about a possible terrorist attack in Australia.

NSW Police Force may get 'special powers'
Civil libertarians are questioning the need for further anti-terrorism laws, which will be announced in the New South Wales Parliament on Tuesday.

When Johnny comes marching home again: 'hoorah hoorah'
Posted on the Resistance web page Bronwyn Powell, an organiser of the youth-led mobilisation told Green Left weekly that "in the face of attacks on civil liberties, it is unfortunate that some union officials have felt they need to submit. It could set a negative precedent for upholding the hard-won right to demonstrate in the street."

Police show their real colours 'blue'
Several thousand people have marched through the centre of Sydney protesting against globalisation and the treatment of asylum seekers. Police provided the protesters with an escort despite refusing to issue permits for demonstrations.

Give peace a chance
PIERS AKERMAN DT 28 Nov 02: JUSTICE John Dowd should be removed from the bench. His crime? Stupidity. In a breath-taking display of hand-wringing sanctimonious morality, Dowd has condemned the State and Federal Governments' anti-terrorism measures, claiming they erode rights and give encouragement to oppressive regimes.

Bills, Bills and more Bills NSW Parliament deep in debt
NSW Parliament is unjustifiable creating intellectual debt, Academics, politicians, judges, lawyers and volunteers.

It is an absolute disgrace to: Undermine civil and democratic rights The event, hosted by a State MP Lee Rhiannon just a week before the meeting of the World Trade Organisation in Sydney, has enraged Police Minister Michael Costa, who said using the House for the event was appalling. Upper House Greens MP Lee Rhiannon is hosting the forum for about 60 people in State Parliament's Jubilee Room on November 8.

The scavengers of terror
The NSW Government is to introduce increased police powers bill. Legislation giving New South Wales police special powers to deal with an emergency terrorist situation [emergency scapegoat situation] will be introduced into the New South Wales Parliament today.

Greens more of a human touch
What is a real job? Writes Political Reporter Malcolm Farr Daily Tele Article 11 Nov 2002. "It would start if candidates had a CV of real jobs, such as medicine (Senator Brown), or even zoo keeping (NSW Upper House Green Lee Rhiannon ). Which leaves the type of candidate summed up by Kerry Nettle, who was elected a NSW senator at the poll a year ago.

Koch's Skoff Channel 7' Sunrise
Charming when you run some one down like Zanny Begg member of the National Executive of Resistance using the power of National Media and the presenter is opinionated to go along with it.

The Australian Flag - Burn baby burn
If John Howard is not constitutional and racist. If our obligations to human rights are not being upheld, then burn baby burn the Australian flag in protest and start it with little Lucifer like a picture of Bob Carr.

About Protesting &: Corporate media, Ben English and Rachel Morris who spell their names in capitals? [Yes too right! Ordinary people some protesting against the occupation, murder and genocide of hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children. And you call yourselves reporters? You should hang your head in shame and go get jobs defending those poor innocent people. Shame on you!!!]

APPOINTMENT OF KLOK IS: 'DECLARATION OF WAR'

The decision of the Carr government to appoint John Jacob Klok as the new Assistant Commissioner for Corrective Services in charge of security represents a statement of contempt to all those concerned about law and justice in NSW.

An abandonment of morality in enforcement. A statement that removes legitimacy from the state and empowers those who already felt excluded.

Kloks history as an admitted thug from the 70s, exposed by the Nagle Royal Commission, published in Framed and discussed in Parliament.

He is a special friend, protege and appointment of Commissioner Woodham currently before ICAC on other corruption allegations.

The Klok/Woodham report

Following that publication he lost his acting position and was moved from the city to the western area. Now preXmas with an air of anxiety for community safety he has been promoted to head of physical control. A clear statement from the Carr Government that if you have the boots, fists, and guns then you can do what you want. And Klok is the top symbol for Carr in his $1billion dollar prison ministry.

The gloves are off!

Visits by families and friends wishing to take children into their parents on the special community day of Xmas, a time of joy for all are being refused to jails from Lithgow to Silverwater. Dividing families and frustrating support. A Christian celebration desecrated. Not a surprise that the Auditor-General reported 41.1% of released prisoners return to jail within 2 years.

Racism has been generated for the first time as a government management policy - racial clustering - where antagonisms and fear are used to destroy the internal community. Good for Woodham and Klok except this new element comes out onto our streets.

Justice Action predicts an increase in danger on the streets in 2003. We predict the Washington Sniper and the Bali Bomber home grown in Australia as the outlaw status is fully understood. Those whose lives are destroyed and have no hope, learn not to respect others.

With our local, national and international standing, we and others offer a hope to the community. A bridge of communication, reconciliation and understanding. We ask that: The ICAC Inquiry to be brought forward, and for Woodham, Klok and others accused to be suspended immediately.

- Community access to prisons be supported and guaranteed, beginning at Xmas. Community visits and access of publications like Framed be respected. Woodham has now withdrawn its access.

- Recent Parliamentary reports on imprisonment, law and justice be adopted. Hope and a chance for improvement be returned to prisoners by return of remission.

- Mentoring and restorative justice projects get Health, Education or Federal funding as we have proposed, as a way to being safer in our homes.

Otherwise the Australian community vision will advance from the Penal Colony to a country where every home will become a prison with the outlaws and the ilk of Klok on the streets.

By Brett Collins and Eric McCormack 30 Dec 2002

Related:

How NSW Dept of Corrective Services spent $800,000 dollars to rehabilitate a Sydney man sentenced to life for second murder! A spokesperson for Justice Action Mr Pro Grams said, "Well it's your money, how would you like it spent? And what do you think about rehabilitation on behalf of the Department of Corruptive Services?

Prisoners Representatives Excommunicated
Ron Woodham, Commissioner Corrective Services stated "[this Department] does not recognise Justice Action as an advocate on correctional centre issues." He has ordered a ban on all Justice Action material inside the NSW prison system. This resulted from a request for the approval of the latest edition of Framed (the Magazine of Justice Action) to be distributed throughout NSW prisons as has occurred for the past ten years.

Academic devises scheme for low income earners to pay back fines:
A professor at the Australian National University [another one of John Howard's hand picked losers like Peter Saunders the social services head-kicker has come up with a scheme which could see low income earners pay back criminal fines over a period of time.

Dept of Corrective Services: Rotten Ron Woodham on the ropes
This is The Freeedom Of Speech and The Press in a goldfish-bowl! Herr Goebells has spoken. Zieg Heil! (Which means, actually: "aim-for health!" incidentally)Apologies for not making meetings ... my first experiences with Woodham (then a -screw-gestapo-minor-with-a-friendly-dog - AND YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS WHEN EVEN HIS DOG DOESN`T LIKE HIM?)

At the Minister's Pleasure The case of Michael Kelly
Michael is caught up in a particularly cruel version of the game of Cat and Mouse. Because he is classified as a forensic patient under the Mental Heath Act of NSW, the Minister for Health is his master, not the Minister for Corrective Services. And the Minister for health will not let him go.

EX-PRISONER UNEMPLOYMENT: SENTENCED FOR LIFE
Name removed by request served time in prison decades ago. Shes still being punished today. According to commonwealth and state legislation, ex-prisoners applying for jobs must declare any conviction that fits into the following categories: less than 10 years old, more than 10 years old but served more than 30 months in prison.

ARE YOU INNOCENT?
The Australian Law Reform Commission had recommended that the Innocence Panel be independent and have the power to investigate alleged miscarriages of justice.

NSW Department of Corrective Services attack right to privacy
Corrective Services Minister Richard Amery has a problem attacking prisoners right to privacy.It seems to us that a civil society is best served when social justice laws are applied to all people regardless of their circumstances. Once government starts making exceptions which disadvantage certain groups and individuals, such laws are meaningless.

Litigants are drowning: in the High Court
There were so many self represented litigants appearing in the High Court that more than half of its registry staff's time was taken up in dealing with them. The "go it alone" litigants have to take on tasks well above their qualified league causing them stress. This growing problem cannot be left unchecked.

Everyone wants to get out of 'jail' but 'Framed' wants life: Rotten Ron on the ropes On 2 May 2002, Justice Action received a faxed letter from Manager of DCS Operations Support Branch saying that, in his view, articles in Framed edition #42 'lack balance and integrity' and he is therefore 'not prepared to recommend this issue of Framed for placement in to correctional centre libraries.' Prisoners and those concerned about prisoner issues have very few sources of information.

Methadone addicts formed within: 'NSW Prisons'
The New South Wales Opposition has accused the State Government of turning jailed heroin users into Methadone addicts.

Murder charge first for DNA data bank link, but not the same as solving the murder Mass DNA testing of prisoners has [allegedly] led to the first NSW case of a person being charged with a previously unsolved murder as a result of a controversial gene-matching data bank.

Medical Records: Alex Mitchell's lost world
Perhaps we can get your medical report and spew it around publicly so you can see how it feels. But surely we do not have to go that far. And of course we are law-abiding citizens and I should think it would be enough to remind you of your ethics to report at all.

Prisoners can prove innocence for $20?
Les Kennedy Daily Telegraph reported today that" Prisoners who believe that DNA will prove they were wrongly convicted will have the chance to prove their innocence for a mere $20 administration fee. The move comes 20 months after NSW inmates were asked to provide DNA for comparison with a databank of DNA from unsolved crime scenes for possible convictions.

NSW opposition pledges review of detention laws
A spokesperson for Justice Action Ms Anal Advice said " NSW Prisons are a sex offence if you have been raped, bashed and squatted down to be strip searched. People should be diverted from going there at all material times".

Civil libertarians condemn planned changes to prisoners' privacy rights The New South Wales Government is using a recent case involving [framed] serial killer Ivan Milat to justify its decision to remove the privacy rights of prisoners. But really just another attack on Ivan Milat from Parliament House.

RESTORING TRUE JUSTICE:
Australian prisons are fast becoming the new asylums of the third millennium. The prison industry is booming, while Australia spends far less on mental health services than similar countries.

The punishment: Is the 'crime'
The punishment is the crime according to retired chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia Justice Alistair Nicholson. "Smacking a child ought to be seen as assault".

Mr. & Mrs. Mandatory Sentencing
Well congratulations to the bride and groom. Could you please be upstanding and raise your glasses for Mr. And Mrs. Mandatory.

Just wipe your arse on Ivan again Minister?
Mr Amery Minister for Corrective services has a problem with finding a toilet roll to wipe his bottom. Justice Action is appalled at the attacks by Amery and others in parliament on Ivan Milat's right to privacy and their attacks on the Privacy Commissioner and his office.

NSW prisons - primary industry bailed up!
In many quiet regional centres around NSW there is a new primary industry shaping up. It has something to do with Bail but not with bales. The minister for Agriculture Richard Amery who also has the prisons portfolio is now committed to farming prisoners.

NSW Parliament Bitter Pills To Swallow?
One delusion pill: So people who investigate their own mistakes make sure there was no mistake or someone else made the mistake. Perhaps you're not biased and you will be honest about it.

The Government is likely to abolish the Inspector General of Corrective Services position The Mulawa inspection report recommendations below strictly illustrate how important he is.

Black Nexus
The Separation of Powers Doctrine is nowcontaminated witharangeofcolours, now leaving us with a black shirt on a once blue bridge that crossed that thin blue line. The 'Amery and Woodham show'.

Prison Mind Games-Do they exist?
Directives are given inside the prison system that are not consistent with the law in NSW. And not in the good interests of the health and well being of the prisoners.

Chronology - A History of Australian Prisons
[Allegedly:] The events that have shaped NSW prisons - from convict days through royal commissions, to the Supermax of today. [I say allegedly because no one should trust Four Corners [Walls], why? Because they spill out the propaganda of the day for the Government, whether it be wrong or right. A government that lies and has no remorse about it.]

AUSTRALIA 2002: POLICE STATE LOOMING

As we go to press (December 2002), both the Federal parliament and the NSW parliament are debating legislation that would give police and ASIO agents greater powers of search, interrogation and detention, and significantly erode the fundamental rights of citizens. In both cases, of course, the alleged purpose of the bills is to combat terrorism.

[But really the Coalition of the Killing want to bolster support and quell dissent for their illegal and degrading resource wars in the Middle East.]

The [CIA false flag operation and the] destruction of the World Trade Centre in New York, and the [CIA false flag operation] Bali bombings, are brutal atrocities which we wholeheartedly condemn.

[Especially when Australia was complicit in those acts of violence perpetrated on its own citizens. In other words having full knowledge that such atrocities were going to happen.]

But as justice activists we are accustomed to being able to acknowledge harm done without calling for retaliatory measures that would turn us into brutes ourselves. If we allow these acts of terror to erode away the (very limited) freedoms and rights that have been hard won through the struggle of the oppressed, then Osama and Co [Coalition of the Killing] have won.

"Wake up to yourself," Bob Carr said in late November to Justice John Dowd, a distinguished critic of his Terrorism (Police Powers) Bill 2002. "The threat is real." Bob meant the threat of al-Qaeda and other Islamic terrorist groups, [No! Bob Carr also knew that that was bullshit and reserved for the Coalition of the Killings propaganda and fear-mongering about Australia being under attack, under the guise of alleged Islamic groups. However in reality these atrocities were committed by the CIA and Mossad to terrorise the western world against Islam.] but the threat to Australian civil society from Bob's own bill is real as well, as we can see by looking at the USA and Canada, two countries that reacted swiftly to [the CIA false flag operation] September 11 by enacting legislation to increase police powers which has now been in force for over a year. [Which was their aim in the first instance having the legislation already prepared for such a reichstag.]

On 18 December 2001, two months after the USA-Patriot Act was rushed through Congress, the FBI hauled a young [scapegoat or patsy] Egyptian graduate engineering student called Abdallah Higazy before a court in Manhattan. Abdallah had had the misfortune to check into the Hilton Hotel, just across from the World Trade Centre, two weeks before [the CIA false flag] September 11th.

The FBI told the judge that hotel security staff had found a radio transceiver capable of air-to-ground communication in his room. Abdallah said he didn't own the transceiver, but the judge agreed that he should be detained. [Framed.]

After nine days in solitary confinement, during which, he said later, he cried "each and every day", he was subjected to a five-hour interrogation without his lawyer. He eventually broke down and "confessed" that the radio was his. He was put back in solitary confinement again until, on 14 January, an American pilot who had been evacuated from the Hilton on September 11 walked up to the hotel lobby and asked if he could retrieve his belongings, including the radio transceiver he had left in his room.

The most chilling detail of this story, however, in terms of the erosion of civil society, is that the Hilton security guard, an ex-cop, knew that the transceiver wasn't Abdallah's, but repeatedly lied about it because this is "a time of patriotism".

Some 1200 Muslims were arrested in the USA after [the CIA false flag operation] September 11th, surrounded by secrecy. Human rights lawyers finally got a judge to order the government to release the names of all those arrested, the grounds for their detention and their whereabouts; but the Attorney-General was still resisting the order a month later.

Judge Gladys Kessler, in issuing the order, commented that "secret arrests are a concept odious to a democratic society", and that the "psychic damage" caused to the body politic by the [CIA false flag operation, reichstag] September 11 attacks "may take far longer to heal" than the physical damage.

This "psychic damage", the deterioration in the fabric of civilised norms in the US, is perhaps best seen in the conditions under which suspected [ propaganda patsy] al-Qaeda detainees are being held in the torture camps of Guantanamo.

In Canada, civil society is still reeling from the devastating impact of Bills C-35, C-36, C-42 and C-44, enacted in December 2001. Canadian Arab and Muslim communities are talking about a "two-tier" citizenship policy, referring to the border security measures targeted specifically at them, and they report numerous cases of individuals being visited by security services, without warrants, for "voluntary" interviews.

The newly created Integrated National Security Enforcement Team was used in a raid, on 21 September, against the West Coast Warrior Society, a group of Native activists - a clear case of anti-terrorism legislation being used to intimidate domestic dissent.

There are also major concerns about the impact of the legislation on the policy environment in Ottawa. Security considerations, as well as US pressures to harmonise policies, are becoming increasingly predominant over the rights of citizens. New legislation soon to be introduced in Parliament will restrict even further Canadians' right to access government information. Worries have been expressed, as well, that too many discretionary powers are being vested in a handful of ministers at the detriment of Parliamentary accountability.

NSW is the only state in Australia, funnily enough, which has seen a need to introduce its own anti-terrorism legislation [draconian laws and state sanctioned terror].

It comes at a time when prisons in NSW are packed and new ones are being built as fast as possible, when the police ministry has been handed over to a right-wing shock jock, the Wood Commission police reforms have been rolled back, the Ombudsman and Police Integrity Commission have been nobbled, the malignant Ron Woodham has been put in charge of Corrective Services, the police already have more powers than at any time since the Rum Rebellion, and new laws have been enacted to refuse bail to even more people, and expose prisoners to violations of their privacy.

Police Minister Michael Costa has recently swung into action, slandering a forum on civil disobedience as a plot to unleash violence against "his" police force, and ensuring that peaceful protesters against the World Trade Organisation would feel the boot (and hooves) of NSW police aggression.

Carr himself has also entered the fray, falsely accusing Sydney Morning Herald journalist Margo Kingston of blaming the Bali victims for their own deaths when she had the temerity to question the anti-democratic nature of the proposed NSW legislation.

[And in fact it was the other way around Australia was complicit in the CIA false flag and call to arms Bali Bombings. Take a bow Margo Kingston.]

Justice Action joins forces with the many, many groups that are opposing this madness. We agree with Justice Dowd that, as in the USA and Canada, Muslims stand to become the first victims of the new laws, and we have already witnessed the disgraceful spectacle of the theatrical balaclava ASIO raids on sleeping Indonesian households in Sydney and Perth.

However, we don't expect it to just stop with Muslims. It is important to show that it isn't just academics (and Muslims) who are concerned - these laws impinge on all Australians, but especially those struggling for their rights from a position of social and economic disadvantage - Kooris, unionists, community campaigners.

Justice Action also agrees with those, like our old friend Tim Anderson, who say that it is near impossible to resist this wave of repression UNLESS we also resist the US's war on terrorism [resources and freedom.]

This realisation, too, stems from what we have learnt in the course of our justice activism. Transformative justice says we must look not just at the rehabilitation of the individual offender, but at the root causes in the offender's source community as something to assist also.

What feeds Islamic fundamentalist terrorism? USA FALSE FLAG REICHSTAG OPERATIONS!!!] How much of it would dissipate if the wrongs of the long suffering [IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN AND] Palestinian people were addressed? 40%? 60%? 90%? How much of it would dissipate if the yawning gap between rich nations and poor nations was closed, and the exploitation of the Third World came to an end?

By Framed Magazine 22 Dec 2002 updated by Gregory Kable 25 June 2009.

Related:

Prisoners Representatives Excommunicated
Ron Woodham, Commissioner Corrective Services stated "[this Department] does not recognise Justice Action as an advocate on correctional centre issues." He has ordered a ban on all Justice Action material inside the NSW prison system. This resulted from a request for the approval of the latest edition of Framed (the Magazine of Justice Action) to be distributed throughout NSW prisons as has occurred for the past ten years.

Govt plays down reports of complicity to torture its own citizens
The complicit federal Government says reports there are two highly trained members of Al Qaeda operating in Australia selling GI and are consistent with information it has already released.

Transcript: Abu Bakar Bashir
So actually America wants to fight the Moslems and Islam in Indonesia but using the excuse of terrorism so that it wont be openly (seen as fighting Islam) but under the terror camouflage. This is what I understand about the developments of the investigation into the Bali bombing as well as the other (bombing cases).

Australia: politicians should watch police
In Sydney yesterday the Opposition police spokesman, Andrew Tink, urged Federal Labor MPs to allow the public hearing of the claims, which include that senior police, the PIC and the Ombudsman's office were failing to investigate legitimate complaints of misconduct, including corruption in the police promotion system.

Demolishing Democracy
How Bob Carr, [ the Coalition of the Killing,] and Bin Laden gave birth to the NSW police state. The [CIA false flag ]Bali bombings could not have come at a 'better time' for [the Coalition of the Killing and] Bob Carr and his project to bring an end to Westminster democracy in NSW.

Chip off the old Block
A spokesperson for Justice Action Ms Stolen Generation said, "This policy will not eliminate drug use.This is no more than prohibition instituted by a private company and stood over by a privatised government who does not want to know about drugs that are awash at yuppie night clubs where the who's who gather to get stoned. The last thing drug users need is to be tossed out of their home on to the street. What loser came up with that idea? This is an invasion of our privacy", She said.

Unemployed farm postings would cost jobs: AWU
The Australian Workers Union has rejected a proposal to place work-for-the-[unemployed] participants on drought-affected rural properties.

Police Chronology 1994-2001
View events in the NSW Police Force since the Wood Royal Commission began in 1994. 1994 May Justice James Wood is appointed Commissioner of the Royal Commission into the NSW Police Service ('WRC').

How NSW Dept of Corrective Services spent $800,000 dollars to rehabilitate a Sydney man sentenced to life for second murder!

A Sydney man freed after the redetermination of his life sentence for the murder of his wife has been sentenced again to life in prison for a second murder.

Robert Sievers will this time go to jail for life without parole after murdering his girlfriend in July 2000.

Justice Brian Sully told the Supreme Court in Sydney the 60-year-old was released after serving 12 and a half years of a life sentence for the murder of his wife Dianne in 1980.

He says he had impressed an experienced psychiatrist and a senior judge that he had been rehabilitated.

But after the Department of Corruptive Services spent $800,000 dollars of taxpayers money to rehabilitate this person. The fact that he killed a person had to be confronted in jail the first time?

But in July 2000 during an argument with his girlfriend 32-year-old Michelle Campbell at his Lakemba home Sievers stabbed her four times killing her.

Justice Sully says Sievers had a personality disorder which mainfested itself in extreme physical violence at times of domestic stress.

He says given Sievers' criminal history and for the proper protection of the community he had no choice but to sentence him to life in jail.

Outside the court, Ms Campbell's father Les Campbell says he was pleased by the fact that Sievers would never be freed. "After he murdered my daughter he drove around with her in the car in the boot for several days and he was drawing money out of a bank account out of her keycard so he showed no remorse," he said.

A spokesperson for Justice Action Mr Pro Grams said, "Well it's your money how would you like it spent? And what do you think about rehabilitation on behalf of the Department of Corruptive Services? When (DCS) have held a man in jail for 12 and a half years without him or them (DCS) having any insight into his past offending behaviour?

DCS had 12 and a half years to feed him programs and teach him how to socialise, instead he was de-socialised at a cost of $800,000 of taxpayers money and obviously under certain conditions remains very anti-social.

JUSTICE ACTION: People subject to that environment are being stunted not rehabilitated. We call on the Opposition to ask for a full inquiry to find out what programs this man had undertaken whilst he was in jail the first time.

By Chris Hinds 19 Dec 2002

Ed: If a person had taken his smashed motor vehicle to a panel beater and had it repaired at a cost of $800,000, why would that person be expected to pay for the damaged vehicle? Prisoners' with little or no programs and who are brutalised and or solitary confined, don't rehabilitate. Obviously that incarceration and or negative reinforcement only made this person angry.

Related:

Prisoners Representatives Excommunicated
Ron Woodham, Commissioner Corrective Services stated "[this Department] does not recognise Justice Action as an advocate on correctional centre issues." He has ordered a ban on all Justice Action material inside the NSW prison system. This resulted from a request for the approval of the latest edition of Framed (the Magazine of Justice Action) to be distributed throughout NSW prisons as has occurred for the past ten years.

Academic devises scheme for low income earners to pay back fines:
A professor at the Australian National University [another one of John Howard's hand picked losers like Peter Saunders the social services head-kicker has come up with a scheme which could see low income earners pay back criminal fines over a period of time.

Dept of Corrective Services: Rotten Ron Woodham on the ropes
This is The Freeedom Of Speech and The Press in a goldfish-bowl! Herr Goebells has spoken. Zieg Heil! (Which means, actually: "aim-for health!" incidentally)Apologies for not making meetings ... my first experiences with Woodham (then a -screw-gestapo-minor-with-a-friendly-dog - AND YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS WHEN EVEN HIS DOG DOESN`T LIKE HIM?)

At the Minister's Pleasure The case of Michael Kelly
Michael is caught up in a particularly cruel version of the game of Cat and Mouse. Because he is classified as a forensic patient under the Mental Heath Act of NSW, the Minister for Health is his master, not the Minister for Corrective Services. And the Minister for health will not let him go.

EX-PRISONER UNEMPLOYMENT: SENTENCED FOR LIFE
Name removed by request served time in prison decades ago. Shes still being punished today. According to commonwealth and state legislation, ex-prisoners applying for jobs must declare any conviction that fits into the following categories: less than 10 years old, more than 10 years old but served more than 30 months in prison.

ARE YOU INNOCENT?
The Australian Law Reform Commission had recommended that the Innocence Panel be independent and have the power to investigate alleged miscarriages of justice.

NSW Department of Corrective Services attack right to privacy
Corrective Services Minister Richard Amery has a problem attacking prisoners right to privacy.It seems to us that a civil society is best served when social justice laws are applied to all people regardless of their circumstances. Once government starts making exceptions which disadvantage certain groups and individuals, such laws are meaningless.

Litigants are drowning: in the High Court
There were so many self represented litigants appearing in the High Court that more than half of its registry staff's time was taken up in dealing with them. The "go it alone" litigants have to take on tasks well above their qualified league causing them stress. This growing problem cannot be left unchecked.

Everyone wants to get out of 'jail' but 'Framed' wants life: Rotten Ron on the ropes On 2 May 2002, Justice Action received a faxed letter from Manager of DCS Operations Support Branch saying that, in his view, articles in Framed edition #42 'lack balance and integrity' and he is therefore 'not prepared to recommend this issue of Framed for placement in to correctional centre libraries.' Prisoners and those concerned about prisoner issues have very few sources of information.

Methadone addicts formed within: 'NSW Prisons'
The New South Wales Opposition has accused the State Government of turning jailed heroin users into Methadone addicts.

Murder charge first for DNA data bank link, but not the same as solving the murder Mass DNA testing of prisoners has [allegedly] led to the first NSW case of a person being charged with a previously unsolved murder as a result of a controversial gene-matching data bank.

Medical Records: Alex Mitchell's lost world
Perhaps we can get your medical report and spew it around publicly so you can see how it feels. But surely we do not have to go that far. And of course we are law-abiding citizens and I should think it would be enough to remind you of your ethics to report at all.

Prisoners can prove innocence for $20?
Les Kennedy Daily Telegraph reported today that" Prisoners who believe that DNA will prove they were wrongly convicted will have the chance to prove their innocence for a mere $20 administration fee. The move comes 20 months after NSW inmates were asked to provide DNA for comparison with a databank of DNA from unsolved crime scenes for possible convictions.

NSW opposition pledges review of detention laws
A spokesperson for Justice Action Ms Anal Advice said " NSW Prisons are a sex offence if you have been raped, bashed and squatted down to be strip searched. People should be diverted from going there at all material times".

Civil libertarians condemn planned changes to prisoners' privacy rights The New South Wales Government is using a recent case involving [framed] serial killer Ivan Milat to justify its decision to remove the privacy rights of prisoners. But really just another attack on Ivan Milat from Parliament House.

RESTORING TRUE JUSTICE:
Australian prisons are fast becoming the new asylums of the third millennium. The prison industry is booming, while Australia spends far less on mental health services than similar countries.

The punishment: Is the 'crime'
The punishment is the crime according to retired chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia Justice Alistair Nicholson. "Smacking a child ought to be seen as assault".

Mr. & Mrs. Mandatory Sentencing
Well congratulations to the bride and groom. Could you please be upstanding and raise your glasses for Mr. And Mrs. Mandatory.

Just wipe your arse on Ivan again Minister?
Mr Amery Minister for Corrective services has a problem with finding a toilet roll to wipe his bottom. Justice Action is appalled at the attacks by Amery and others in parliament on Ivan Milat's right to privacy and their attacks on the Privacy Commissioner and his office.

NSW prisons - primary industry bailed up!
In many quiet regional centres around NSW there is a new primary industry shaping up. It has something to do with Bail but not with bales. The minister for Agriculture Richard Amery who also has the prisons portfolio is now committed to farming prisoners.

NSW Parliament Bitter Pills To Swallow?
One delusion pill: So people who investigate their own mistakes make sure there was no mistake or someone else made the mistake. Perhaps you're not biased and you will be honest about it.

The Government is likely to abolish the Inspector General of Corrective Services position The Mulawa inspection report recommendations below strictly illustrate how important he is.

Black Nexus
The Separation of Powers Doctrine is nowcontaminated witharangeofcolours, now leaving us with a black shirt on a once blue bridge that crossed that thin blue line. The 'Amery and Woodham show'.

Prison Mind Games-Do they exist?
Directives are given inside the prison system that are not consistent with the law in NSW. And not in the good interests of the health and well being of the prisoners.

Chronology - A History of Australian Prisons
[Allegedly:] The events that have shaped NSW prisons - from convict days through royal commissions, to the Supermax of today. [I say allegedly because no one should trust Four Corners [Walls], why? Because they spill out the propaganda of the day for the Government, whether it be wrong or right. A government that lies and has no remorse about it.]

Civil and Democratic Islam websites communicating?

Parody: THE internet is becoming a virtual forum for people exchanges, with many sites specifically targeting Australia to stop the racial hate followers, and plan to continue to communicate with each other. Fantastic!

An Islamic website regarded as a credible source for communication information has canvassed the possibility of Australia which it says "persecutes" Muslims to stop doing so. Islammemo.com is among the websites causing increasing concern to Australian and Indonesian authorities, who fear exposes their racial hate for Muslims and are using web traffic to sell their cause and disseminate information, including coded messages.

Om Ah!

Indonesia is investigating the sources of a number of sites, but is finding it difficult to close them down. [Allegedly] the oldest and most famous of the fundamentalist sites, Azzam Publications, hosted at islamicawakening.com, has already been removed from various US, Canadian and southeast Asian servers.

The site, [Allegedly] named after a mentor of 'Osama bin Laden' [The Coalition of the Killing's propaganda keyword], [allegedly] mentions Australia in the context of bin Laden's [alleged] mid-November threats of further attacks if John Howard doesn't shut his big mouth.

[In other words another propaganda green light from the west to bolster support and quell dissent and to continue the Coalition of the Killings illegal and degrading resource wars in the Middle East.]

But wait there is more!

[Alleged] Terrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna yesterday said democratic Islamic websites had tried to communicate with Muslim Australians to share ideas over the past five years.

Professor Freedom Of speech said more than 1000 democratic websites were registered worldwide, many going unmonitored, allowing people to communicate free from Big Brother's scrutiny.

"Some of those websites have been playing a role in politicising, radicalising and mobilising the Australian migrant communities and people have joined these groups from accessing their websites," he said.

He also claimed some people running such websites in Australia have developed relationships with people and other networks overseas.

But wait there is still is more!

"Australia has been tolerating the establishment of these democratic websites, they haven't even questioned these people because it is democratic and civil to communicate."

I told you!

Since sending [militia to occupy] Afghanistan after the [CIA false flag] September 11 attacks, Australia has been mentioned in the same sentences as the US and Israel on the Islamist and jihad sites. [ Notice the keywords, Islamic, and Jihad.]

[Most likely because the Coalition of the Killing and Israel are one in the same as the occupation and genocide in Palestine continues funded sent to Israel by the USA.]

On islammemo.com, the story [alledgedly according to the west] suggesting Australia will become a Muslim state says there are already more than 100 mosques and 30 Islamic schools in Australia.

It says the numbers indicate Australia, "which is persecuting and fighting Islam and Muslims who live on its land, will one day become a state with a majority Muslim population".

[Reds under the beds?]

Taliban Online, now hosted at muslimthai.com/talibanonline, has called for Muslims worldwide to send a message of support to the family of David Hicks, the Australian Taliban held by the US.

[Most likely because, like the 'indigenous' Taliban of Afghanistan, David Hicks has been used as a 'scapegoat' by the Coalition of the Killing to continue their 'occuption and genocide' in Afghanistan. The Taliban must have some rights to exist on their Sovereign Nation! The Coalition of the Killing don't.]

Major crime!

A spokeswoman for [the fascist] federal Attorney-General Daryl Williams said Australian links to al-Qa'ida [and other Cordial organisations like GI Joe?] had been the main focus of ASIO investigations since [the CIA false flag operation] September 11.

[Soon virtual drinks will be provided on the GI websites then we will really be in trouble. Freedom of drinking!]

By Propa Ganda 19 Dec 02

SKIPPY: All efforts have been made but GI Joe is yet to be located. Armed with Raspberry and now Lime flavour he is very addictive. If you see him do not drink any GI Cordial unless it is a hot day and there is nothing else to drink.

Would anyone care to join Justice Action? Or do I have to be terrified to ask?

Related:

Govt plays down reports of complicity to torture its own citizens
The complicit federal Government says reports there are two highly trained members of Al Qaeda operating in Australia selling GI and are consistent with information it has already released.

Transcript: Abu Bakar Bashir
So actually America wants to fight the Moslems and Islam in Indonesia but using the excuse of terrorism so that it wont be openly (seen as fighting Islam) but under the terror camouflage. This is what I understand about the developments of the investigation into the Bali bombing as well as the other (bombing cases).

GI Strikes again! Plots plots and more plots
Gi's foiled plot to bomb foreign embassies in Singapore, including the Australian high commission, would have to use high sugar levels at the controls of cordial laden truck, a US interrogation of a key GI figure has revealed.

Alarm over terror in 'Australia'?
All of the families ASIO raided in October were believed to have attended the weekend camps, which have run for the past five years. GI cordial was on the refreshment list of drinks.

Special powers? Or political grandstanding?
In NSW, great slews of legislation over the past year have increased powers for everything from police to sniffer pups and train guards and vastly reduced the rights of individuals to engage in civil disobedience, freedom of expression and communication with each other.

First strike and you're out!
The ideology of a super loser? John Howard shocks the nation again. A nation who cannot believe Howard's stupidity following his [complicity in the CIA's false flag operation, the Bali bombing.]

UN charter doesn't reflect new self-defence needs: Hill?
The Defence [War] Minister, Robert Hill, says the United Nations' charter needs to be changed to help countries defend themselves against potential threats. [?] [Pre-emptive strikes on soveriegn nation states like Iraq and Afghanistan?]

Middle Eastern: Specific Legislation
"If there is a target person the police would have powers in relation to that type of person," Mr Costa said. Asked what he meant by "type of person", Mr Costa said: "The example that's been given is if there's a description of somebody, an identikit photograph released by Interpol or other agencies ... these powers may well be exercised on that type of person."

Suspicious police are not trusted to terrorise the community
Short memory my friends when just around the corner police were out of control and now you want to trust Police in NSW to be given extraordinary powers to search vehicles, sites and even a general "type of person" in the event of a terrorism threat or after a terrorist attack.

Howard defends terror alert
Prime Minister John Howard says the Federal Government would not have issued a terror alert if it had not come from a credible source. (America?) Speaking for the first time since the Government revealed the warning, Mr Howard says he wants people to be more careful, but not to stop living. [As long as they don't go dancing in Bali? And sure we'll all be depressed for as long as John Howard and Bob Carr say so.]

Carr backs Fed Govt's terror alert
New South Wales Premier Bob Carr has defended the Federal Government's decision to issue a warning to Australians about a possible terrorist attack in Australia.

NSW Police Force may get 'special powers'
Civil libertarians are questioning the need for further anti-terrorism laws, which will be announced in the New South Wales Parliament on Tuesday.

When Johnny comes marching home again: 'hoorah hoorah'
Posted on the Resistance web page Bronwyn Powell, an organiser of the youth-led mobilisation told Green Left weekly that "in the face of attacks on civil liberties, it is unfortunate that some union officials have felt they need to submit. It could set a negative precedent for upholding the hard-won right to demonstrate in the street."

Police show their real colours 'blue'
Several thousand people have marched through the centre of Sydney protesting against globalisation and the treatment of asylum seekers. Police provided the protesters with an escort despite refusing to issue permits for demonstrations.

Give peace a chance
PIERS AKERMAN DT 28 Nov 02: JUSTICE John Dowd should be removed from the bench. His crime? Stupidity. In a breath-taking display of hand-wringing sanctimonious morality, Dowd has condemned the State and Federal Governments' anti-terrorism measures, claiming they erode rights and give encouragement to oppressive regimes.

Bills, Bills and more Bills NSW Parliament deep in debt
NSW Parliament is unjustifiable creating intellectual debt, Academics, politicians, judges, lawyers and volunteers.

It is an absolute disgrace to: Undermine civil and democratic rights The event, hosted by a State MP Lee Rhiannon just a week before the meeting of the World Trade Organisation in Sydney, has enraged Police Minister Michael Costa, who said using the House for the event was appalling. Upper House Greens MP Lee Rhiannon is hosting the forum for about 60 people in State Parliament's Jubilee Room on November 8.

The scavengers of terror
The NSW Government is to introduce increased police powers bill. Legislation giving New South Wales police special powers to deal with an emergency terrorist situation [emergency scapegoat situation] will be introduced into the New South Wales Parliament today.

Greens more of a human touch
What is a real job? Writes Political Reporter Malcolm Farr Daily Tele Article 11 Nov 2002. "It would start if candidates had a CV of real jobs, such as medicine (Senator Brown), or even zoo keeping (NSW Upper House Green Lee Rhiannon ). Which leaves the type of candidate summed up by Kerry Nettle, who was elected a NSW senator at the poll a year ago.

Koch's Skoff Channel 7' Sunrise
Charming when you run some one down like Zanny Begg member of the National Executive of Resistance using the power of National Media and the presenter is opinionated to go along with it.

The Australian Flag - Burn baby burn
If John Howard is not constitutional and racist. If our obligations to human rights are not being upheld, then burn baby burn the Australian flag in protest and start it with little Lucifer like a picture of Bob Carr.

About Protesting &: Corporate media, Ben English and Rachel Morris who spell their names in capitals? [Yes too right! Ordinary people some protesting against the occupation, murder and genocide of hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children. And you call yourselves reporters? You should hang your head in shame and go get jobs defending those poor innocent people. Shame on you!!!]

Prisoners Representatives Excommunicated

Ron Woodham, Commissioner Corrective Services stated "[this Department] does not recognise Justice Action as an advocate on correctional centre issues." He has ordered a ban on all Justice Action material inside the NSW prison system. This resulted from a request for the approval of the latest edition of Framed (the Magazine of Justice Action) to be distributed throughout NSW prisons as has occurred for the past ten years.

In contrast federal leader in criminogenic research, the Australian Institute of Criminology continually calls upon Justice Action to present information and input into many of its programs. The Australian Prisoners Union stated in reply to Corrective Services "Justice Action has won the trust and respect of all prisoners in Australia."

Justice Action has testified before numerous Parliamentary Inquiries and Royal Commissions. It has played a major role in international conferencing on prison abolition and reform, provided information to ICAC inquiries into the conduct of senior Corrective Services officials, and continues to provide valued resources and information to parliamentarians both state and federal. Corrections Health Services recently appointed Justice Action a position on a prisoner health advisory committee

Internal reports reveal a crisis within the prison system due to racial tensions, overcrowding, and inadequate staffing. This results in prisoners being denied access to educational and rehabilitative programs. A current ICAC inquiry is examining the current Commissioner for alleged misconduct.

At this period Justice Action feels that the operations of prisons need to be closely monitored, but perhaps that is what the administrators fear most.

Justice Action will be exploring legal and political options on this issue and taking any action necessary to ensure a resolution that results in a safer and more humane prison environment.

By Anna Lawarik 17 December 2002

Related:

Academic devises scheme for low income earners to pay back fines:
A professor at the Australian National University [another one of John Howard's hand picked losers like Peter Saunders the social services head-kicker has come up with a scheme which could see low income earners pay back criminal fines over a period of time.

Dept of Corrective Services: Rotten Ron Woodham on the ropes
This is The Freeedom Of Speech and The Press in a goldfish-bowl! Herr Goebells has spoken. Zieg Heil! (Which means, actually: "aim-for health!" incidentally)Apologies for not making meetings ... my first experiences with Woodham (then a -screw-gestapo-minor-with-a-friendly-dog - AND YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS WHEN EVEN HIS DOG DOESN`T LIKE HIM?)

At the Minister's Pleasure The case of Michael Kelly
Michael is caught up in a particularly cruel version of the game of Cat and Mouse. Because he is classified as a forensic patient under the Mental Heath Act of NSW, the Minister for Health is his master, not the Minister for Corrective Services. And the Minister for health will not let him go.

EX-PRISONER UNEMPLOYMENT: SENTENCED FOR LIFE
Name removed by request served time in prison decades ago. Shes still being punished today. According to commonwealth and state legislation, ex-prisoners applying for jobs must declare any conviction that fits into the following categories: less than 10 years old, more than 10 years old but served more than 30 months in prison.

ARE YOU INNOCENT?
The Australian Law Reform Commission had recommended that the Innocence Panel be independent and have the power to investigate alleged miscarriages of justice.

NSW Department of Corrective Services attack right to privacy
Corrective Services Minister Richard Amery has a problem attacking prisoners right to privacy.It seems to us that a civil society is best served when social justice laws are applied to all people regardless of their circumstances. Once government starts making exceptions which disadvantage certain groups and individuals, such laws are meaningless.

Litigants are drowning: in the High Court
There were so many self represented litigants appearing in the High Court that more than half of its registry staff's time was taken up in dealing with them. The "go it alone" litigants have to take on tasks well above their qualified league causing them stress. This growing problem cannot be left unchecked.

Everyone wants to get out of 'jail' but 'Framed' wants life: Rotten Ron on the ropes On 2 May 2002, Justice Action received a faxed letter from Manager of DCS Operations Support Branch saying that, in his view, articles in Framed edition #42 'lack balance and integrity' and he is therefore 'not prepared to recommend this issue of Framed for placement in to correctional centre libraries.' Prisoners and those concerned about prisoner issues have very few sources of information.

Methadone addicts formed within: 'NSW Prisons'
The New South Wales Opposition has accused the State Government of turning jailed heroin users into Methadone addicts.

Murder charge first for DNA data bank link, but not the same as solving the murder Mass DNA testing of prisoners has [allegedly] led to the first NSW case of a person being charged with a previously unsolved murder as a result of a controversial gene-matching data bank.

Medical Records: Alex Mitchell's lost world
Perhaps we can get your medical report and spew it around publicly so you can see how it feels. But surely we do not have to go that far. And of course we are law-abiding citizens and I should think it would be enough to remind you of your ethics to report at all.

Prisoners can prove innocence for $20?
Les Kennedy Daily Telegraph reported today that" Prisoners who believe that DNA will prove they were wrongly convicted will have the chance to prove their innocence for a mere $20 administration fee. The move comes 20 months after NSW inmates were asked to provide DNA for comparison with a databank of DNA from unsolved crime scenes for possible convictions.

NSW opposition pledges review of detention laws
A spokesperson for Justice Action Ms Anal Advice said " NSW Prisons are a sex offence if you have been raped, bashed and squatted down to be strip searched. People should be diverted from going there at all material times".

Civil libertarians condemn planned changes to prisoners' privacy rights The New South Wales Government is using a recent case involving [framed] serial killer Ivan Milat to justify its decision to remove the privacy rights of prisoners. But really just another attack on Ivan Milat from Parliament House.

RESTORING TRUE JUSTICE:
Australian prisons are fast becoming the new asylums of the third millennium. The prison industry is booming, while Australia spends far less on mental health services than similar countries.

The punishment: Is the 'crime'
The punishment is the crime according to retired chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia Justice Alistair Nicholson. "Smacking a child ought to be seen as assault".

Mr. & Mrs. Mandatory Sentencing
Well congratulations to the bride and groom. Could you please be upstanding and raise your glasses for Mr. And Mrs. Mandatory.

Just wipe your arse on Ivan again Minister?
Mr Amery Minister for Corrective services has a problem with finding a toilet roll to wipe his bottom. Justice Action is appalled at the attacks by Amery and others in parliament on Ivan Milat's right to privacy and their attacks on the Privacy Commissioner and his office.

NSW prisons - primary industry bailed up!
In many quiet regional centres around NSW there is a new primary industry shaping up. It has something to do with Bail but not with bales. The minister for Agriculture Richard Amery who also has the prisons portfolio is now committed to farming prisoners.

NSW Parliament Bitter Pills To Swallow?
One delusion pill: So people who investigate their own mistakes make sure there was no mistake or someone else made the mistake. Perhaps you're not biased and you will be honest about it.

The Government is likely to abolish the Inspector General of Corrective Services position The Mulawa inspection report recommendations below strictly illustrate how important he is.

Black Nexus
The Separation of Powers Doctrine is nowcontaminated witharangeofcolours, now leaving us with a black shirt on a once blue bridge that crossed that thin blue line. The 'Amery and Woodham show'.

Prison Mind Games-Do they exist?
Directives are given inside the prison system that are not consistent with the law in NSW. And not in the good interests of the health and well being of the prisoners.

Academic devises scheme for low income earners to pay back fines:

But not so says Academics

A professor at the Australian National University [another one of John Howard's hand picked losers like Peter Saunders the social services head-kicker has come up with a scheme which could see low income earners pay back criminal fines over a period of time.

Those on low incomes could take a loan from the courts and repay fines once they are earning more.

Professor Bruce Chapman says it is not unlike the Higher Education Contribution Scheme where students pay back a loan to the Commonwealth once their income reaches a certain level.

He says it is a scheme which could also work for drought stricken farmers. "While the farmers might receive some subsidies or assistance in a period of adversity, then they might pay back some of these grants to taxpayers but only when and if their revenues recover."

Mr Good Will a spokesperson for Justice Action said, " This is a continued obligation by the peasants to pay money.

We need to invest in these people with further effort. Better to develop their skills so they can pay fines and contribute to the community."

Social Services small change? Or wast the money on WAR!

Lone parents on [social services] average 12 years of benefits - and are often worse off if they work. But reforming the system is risky and often costly, Bettina Arndt explains.

By Not Rocket Science 17 Dec 2002

SKIPPY: Can anyone give this man a plan for a rocket. Is your name not Bruce!

Related:

Dept of Corrective Services: Rotten Ron Woodham on the ropes
This is The Freeedom Of Speech and The Press in a goldfish-bowl! Herr Goebells has spoken. Zieg Heil! (Which means, actually: "aim-for health!" incidentally)Apologies for not making meetings ... my first experiences with Woodham (then a -screw-gestapo-minor-with-a-friendly-dog - AND YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS WHEN EVEN HIS DOG DOESN`T LIKE HIM?)

At the Minister's Pleasure The case of Michael Kelly
Michael is caught up in a particularly cruel version of the game of Cat and Mouse. Because he is classified as a forensic patient under the Mental Heath Act of NSW, the Minister for Health is his master, not the Minister for Corrective Services. And the Minister for health will not let him go.

EX-PRISONER UNEMPLOYMENT: SENTENCED FOR LIFE
Name removed by request served time in prison decades ago. Shes still being punished today. According to commonwealth and state legislation, ex-prisoners applying for jobs must declare any conviction that fits into the following categories: less than 10 years old, more than 10 years old but served more than 30 months in prison.

ARE YOU INNOCENT?
The Australian Law Reform Commission had recommended that the Innocence Panel be independent and have the power to investigate alleged miscarriages of justice.

NSW Department of Corrective Services attack right to privacy
Corrective Services Minister Richard Amery has a problem attacking prisoners right to privacy.It seems to us that a civil society is best served when social justice laws are applied to all people regardless of their circumstances. Once government starts making exceptions which disadvantage certain groups and individuals, such laws are meaningless.

Litigants are drowning: in the High Court
There were so many self represented litigants appearing in the High Court that more than half of its registry staff's time was taken up in dealing with them. The "go it alone" litigants have to take on tasks well above their qualified league causing them stress. This growing problem cannot be left unchecked.

Everyone wants to get out of 'jail' but 'Framed' wants life: Rotten Ron on the ropes On 2 May 2002, Justice Action received a faxed letter from Manager of DCS Operations Support Branch saying that, in his view, articles in Framed edition #42 'lack balance and integrity' and he is therefore 'not prepared to recommend this issue of Framed for placement in to correctional centre libraries.' Prisoners and those concerned about prisoner issues have very few sources of information.

Methadone addicts formed within: 'NSW Prisons'
The New South Wales Opposition has accused the State Government of turning jailed heroin users into Methadone addicts.

Murder charge first for DNA data bank link, but not the same as solving the murder Mass DNA testing of prisoners has [allegedly] led to the first NSW case of a person being charged with a previously unsolved murder as a result of a controversial gene-matching data bank.

Medical Records: Alex Mitchell's lost world
Perhaps we can get your medical report and spew it around publicly so you can see how it feels. But surely we do not have to go that far. And of course we are law-abiding citizens and I should think it would be enough to remind you of your ethics to report at all.

Prisoners can prove innocence for $20?
Les Kennedy Daily Telegraph reported today that" Prisoners who believe that DNA will prove they were wrongly convicted will have the chance to prove their innocence for a mere $20 administration fee. The move comes 20 months after NSW inmates were asked to provide DNA for comparison with a databank of DNA from unsolved crime scenes for possible convictions.

NSW opposition pledges review of detention laws
A spokesperson for Justice Action Ms Anal Advice said " NSW Prisons are a sex offence if you have been raped, bashed and squatted down to be strip searched. People should be diverted from going there at all material times".

Civil libertarians condemn planned changes to prisoners' privacy rights The New South Wales Government is using a recent case involving [framed] serial killer Ivan Milat to justify its decision to remove the privacy rights of prisoners. But really just another attack on Ivan Milat from Parliament House.

RESTORING TRUE JUSTICE:
Australian prisons are fast becoming the new asylums of the third millennium. The prison industry is booming, while Australia spends far less on mental health services than similar countries.

The punishment: Is the 'crime'
The punishment is the crime according to retired chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia Justice Alistair Nicholson. "Smacking a child ought to be seen as assault".

Mr. & Mrs. Mandatory Sentencing
Well congratulations to the bride and groom. Could you please be upstanding and raise your glasses for Mr. And Mrs. Mandatory.

Just wipe your arse on Ivan again Minister?
Mr Amery Minister for Corrective services has a problem with finding a toilet roll to wipe his bottom. Justice Action is appalled at the attacks by Amery and others in parliament on Ivan Milat's right to privacy and their attacks on the Privacy Commissioner and his office.

NSW prisons - primary industry bailed up!
In many quiet regional centres around NSW there is a new primary industry shaping up. It has something to do with Bail but not with bales. The minister for Agriculture Richard Amery who also has the prisons portfolio is now committed to farming prisoners.

NSW Parliament Bitter Pills To Swallow?
One delusion pill: So people who investigate their own mistakes make sure there was no mistake or someone else made the mistake. Perhaps you're not biased and you will be honest about it.

The Government is likely to abolish the Inspector General of Corrective Services position The Mulawa inspection report recommendations below strictly illustrate how important he is.

Black Nexus
The Separation of Powers Doctrine is nowcontaminated witharangeofcolours, now leaving us with a black shirt on a once blue bridge that crossed that thin blue line. The 'Amery and Woodham show'.

Prison Mind Games-Do they exist?
Directives are given inside the prison system that are not consistent with the law in NSW. And not in the good interests of the health and well being of the prisoners.

Chronology - A History of Australian Prisons
[Allegedly:] The events that have shaped NSW prisons - from convict days through royal commissions, to the Supermax of today. [I say allegedly because no one should trust Four Corners [Walls], why? Because they spill out the propaganda of the day for the Government, whether it be wrong or right. A government that lies and has no remorse about it.]

USA - A NATION IN TURMOIL:

AUSTRALIAN COALITION AGAINST DEATH PENALTY

As the year 2002 draws to a close, little if anything, has changed in the United States in regards to state-sanctioned killing. Various campaigns, calls for clemency, petitions, and international condemnation, have failed to humanize U.S. politicians.

The United States stands alone in the Western civilized world, hooked on "vengeance" for an answer to society's woes, wasting millions of dollars to legally kill just one human being. Imagine the billions of dollars which has been wasted over the years killing their citizens.

More than 61 people have been executed in the U.S. this year alone. They include two mentally ill males, several people whose legal representation was inadequate,prisoners whose guilt remained in doubt, a Mexican national denied his consular rights, and a Pakistan national abducted from Pakistan by U.S. agents ignoring human rights safeguards.

Amnesty International has labelled the USA a "rogue" of a state which continues to flout and violate international laws, standards and treaties. Since 1976, 812 people have been executed nationally, 285 have been in the state of Texas.

The U.S. is the only western nation which has not abolished capital punishment. It holds the world title for executing the most child offenders worldwide.

In 1968 there were 517 death row prisoners in the U.S.Currently, 3,697 prisoners are on death row awaiting execution. These numbers continue to increase, annually.

The U.S. incarcerates the most people per head of population and has the largest jail population than any other country in the world. Over two million of the world's eight million prisoners are in the U.S. (1 in every 142 people).

America has a half-million more prisoners than China with only one-quarter of its population. (China stops short of executing child offenders).

Each year the U.S. incarcerates more than 10 million people. Since 1980, the U.S. prison population has more than tripled and each year these numbers increase. The adult U.S. correctional population reached a record high at the end of 2001 with 3.1 percent of the nation's adult population incarcerated or under community supervision.

Almost 6.6 million men and women made up the correctional population at the end of 2001, an increase of 147,000 from the end of 2000. One in every 32 adult U.S. residents were on probation or parole or were held in a prison or jail.

If recent incarceration rates in the U.S. remain unchangedan estimated 1 of every 20 people (5.1%) will serve time in a prison during their lifetime.

The rate of incarceration in the U.S. is currently 704 per 100,000 people. Almost two thirds of countries have rates of 150 or below, per 100,000 people. In Australia, the rate of incarceration is 143 per 100,000 people.

The U.S. has some of the toughest prison sentences in the world which include life imprisonment without the possibility for parole.

***
All the above being the case, the USA (land of the free) should be the safest country to live in ... fact is, it is one of which has the most violence!

***
The U.S. has the highest rates of childhood homicide,suicide and firearm-related deaths among 25 industrialized countries. There are more than 22,000 murders every year in the U.S. The overall firearm-related death rate among children less than 15 years of age is 12 times higher than among children in the other 25 countries combined.

The firearm-related homicide rate in the U.S. was nearly 16 times higher than in all of the other 25 countries combined. The firearm-related suicide rate was nearly 11times higher.

There are 35 firearm-related deaths per 1 million people in the U.S. In Australia, the number of firearm-related deaths is 0.7 per 1 million people.

The reasons why America (the only retentionist western nation) still embraces the death penalty ritual of vengeance, are complex. America's ongoing problems with crime, its long history of tradition for retribution, and politicians' instinct to exploit the issue is one notable explanation. In an effort to win extra votes at government elections, U.S. politicians, overall, continue to "sell" the death penalty to the majority of Americans, adding the "deterrence and retribution" arguments as the main justification for state-sanctioned killing.

At the same time, the strategies undertaken by the tiny member numbers of minority anti-death penalty movements' have been ineffective, and are failing to convince the all important "swinging" public median. Their campaigns and adverts focus mainly on death row prisoners who claim to
have been wrongfully convicted. These claims make up about 90% of all convicted prisoners on death row.

This "selective" support of death row prisoners, is not only discriminative, but damaging the integrity of most anti-death movements'.

The honest claim of innocence has become lost among the static of false claims. Sadly, the other 10% of death row prisoners, are not even worthy of note.

Educating the public, especially the youth of society (our next generation of world leaders) to oppose, or at least not to actively support the death penalty, because of what the death penalty actually is - a barbaric ceremony, cruel, inhumane and degrading - an assault on human dignity and a violation of human rights, should be the future focus of professional abolitionists. This will beone relevant measure of success, an important measure, that will ever indicate that America is coming anywhere close to abolishing the death penalty. Until this can be achieved, the U.S. will continue its long history of tradition for retribution - an "obsessive-compulsion" to kill - a government's avidity for vengeance - to satisfy the most powerful of the public majority's addiction.

Bricks, bones
Always alone
Engraved in steel
Never to atone.
I'm already in the grave
Tossed deep
Underground
Tied to eternity
Hell-bound.
It's already sealed,
I can't break this pact,
Humanity will learn,
From what I lacked.

This was written to me from an inmate in Missouri, illustrating the gloom that is beginning to overcome our loved-ones that are incarcerated in prisons and jails around the world.

Read this poem and keep them in your thoughts and prayers.I hope that you all have a very happy holiday season..

ACADP For Christmas 16 Dec 2002