"WHAT WENT WRONG"
The problem that we are forced to endure is the psychological pressure of day to day living in
this artificial enviroment.
The psychological damage that is happening to the prisoners in Jika is more intense than anywhere else in
the prison system. The adverse effect of which we take out with usupon our release. The question is, how
do we stop this psychological damage or atleast reduce it. All the things that are wrong with the system
only aggravate the situation, the list i am going to write may not be in order, but i will be close.
Massive abuse of power;
Classification committee;
Pentridge Investigation Squad;
Governors Court;
Ombudsman's office;
We have no right to leagal representation in any of the above. Many are still placed in 'H' Division under
investigation and moved here 'K' under *investigation and managment* to cover themselves, when the
investigation is over and it is proved we are not guilty of any wrong doing, or it cant be proved that we are
in fact guilty, our classification is then change totally to management. This is so we are seen to be punished
- for something we didnt do or they cant prove. This being the case there is no "natural justice" in our
prison system.
The state Ombudsman's Office 'covers' for the state goverment, although many complaints are established,
no action is taken and when it all comes down to it, we have no rights to appeal.
Then we go to the massive abuse of monies within the prison system.
The waste is hard to believe this must be investigated, the money could have been in solid rehabilitation
programmes that assist prisoners while in prison and upon their release, so as to the lower level of re-
offending. Also, money can be spent on education,work training etc, so as to help prisoners find
employment upon their release.
A proper law library should be set up within the prison system so prisoners can make themselves fully
aware of their legal rights and the overpowering effect of the judicial system. This would remove much
tension and ap-prehension from the minds of many, thus the long wait for'ria' would be easier to handle.
Due to the massive waste of money there has been a cut back in other area's such as food- the quality and
quantity of which is discusting. It is more so in Jika, where it takes 3 hours to get to the prisoners from the
time it is cooked. In every other part of the prison the meals are serve to a queue, where a prisoner may
reject any food he may not like. Here, everything is thrown on the plate, Also ive seen prison officers eat
prisoner's meals,thus the prisoner are given less.
Lack of worth is a big problem.
Prisoners must be given work to pass the time and so he can support himself/herself. At the moment
prisoners can not afford postage stamps, this should either be a free Goverment service or prisoners should
be allowed to use their own monies.
There are no set rules or regulations to live by in Jika thus prisoners dont know where they
stand. Prison Officers have the same problem.
We're only allowed into fresh air for 2 hours a day if we are lucky, In Jika.Then on cold days,
screws turn off the air conditioning... constant breakdowns.
All canteens and monthly spends etc show a profit for the prison officers club rooms-why?
Phone Calls. Everywhere else in the prison system prisoners get 20-30 minutes, we here in Jika get 3
minutes.
This point, along with harsh visit conditions causes many problems and it is almost impossible to maintain
any sort of relationship- cutting prisoners off even more from the outside world.
No privacy on legal or private visits in Jika , nor with the doctor
Under the new Corrections act in in effect we will have no rights whatso ever. I could go on and on. All i
know is the prison system needs to be investigated totally.
this artificial enviroment.
The psychological damage that is happening to the prisoners in Jika is more intense than anywhere else in
the prison system. The adverse effect of which we take out with usupon our release. The question is, how
do we stop this psychological damage or atleast reduce it. All the things that are wrong with the system
only aggravate the situation, the list i am going to write may not be in order, but i will be close.
Massive abuse of power;
Classification committee;
Pentridge Investigation Squad;
Governors Court;
Ombudsman's office;
We have no right to leagal representation in any of the above. Many are still placed in 'H' Division under
investigation and moved here 'K' under *investigation and managment* to cover themselves, when the
investigation is over and it is proved we are not guilty of any wrong doing, or it cant be proved that we are
in fact guilty, our classification is then change totally to management. This is so we are seen to be punished
- for something we didnt do or they cant prove. This being the case there is no "natural justice" in our
prison system.
The state Ombudsman's Office 'covers' for the state goverment, although many complaints are established,
no action is taken and when it all comes down to it, we have no rights to appeal.
Then we go to the massive abuse of monies within the prison system.
The waste is hard to believe this must be investigated, the money could have been in solid rehabilitation
programmes that assist prisoners while in prison and upon their release, so as to the lower level of re-
offending. Also, money can be spent on education,work training etc, so as to help prisoners find
employment upon their release.
A proper law library should be set up within the prison system so prisoners can make themselves fully
aware of their legal rights and the overpowering effect of the judicial system. This would remove much
tension and ap-prehension from the minds of many, thus the long wait for'ria' would be easier to handle.
Due to the massive waste of money there has been a cut back in other area's such as food- the quality and
quantity of which is discusting. It is more so in Jika, where it takes 3 hours to get to the prisoners from the
time it is cooked. In every other part of the prison the meals are serve to a queue, where a prisoner may
reject any food he may not like. Here, everything is thrown on the plate, Also ive seen prison officers eat
prisoner's meals,thus the prisoner are given less.
Lack of worth is a big problem.
Prisoners must be given work to pass the time and so he can support himself/herself. At the moment
prisoners can not afford postage stamps, this should either be a free Goverment service or prisoners should
be allowed to use their own monies.
There are no set rules or regulations to live by in Jika thus prisoners dont know where they
stand. Prison Officers have the same problem.
We're only allowed into fresh air for 2 hours a day if we are lucky, In Jika.Then on cold days,
screws turn off the air conditioning... constant breakdowns.
All canteens and monthly spends etc show a profit for the prison officers club rooms-why?
Phone Calls. Everywhere else in the prison system prisoners get 20-30 minutes, we here in Jika get 3
minutes.
This point, along with harsh visit conditions causes many problems and it is almost impossible to maintain
any sort of relationship- cutting prisoners off even more from the outside world.
No privacy on legal or private visits in Jika , nor with the doctor
Under the new Corrections act in in effect we will have no rights whatso ever. I could go on and on. All i
know is the prison system needs to be investigated totally.
