Prisoner Talk, Jika Jika re-visited!This was written by anonymous inmates in '88', this covers alot of nasty stuff but truth i believed, also i feel the public should be aware of this magazine. Doing Time-The Magazine!             *I Have Got Permission To Have This Artical On My site

Editorial
Victoria is no different from other states. Each has its own High Security Prison's - they are nothing more than torture chambers - some more sophisticated of all. Jim Kennan called it an inhuman & electronic zoo, but these glib words concealed the truth.

Jika was run by Officers who became totally depraved by the prison enviroment. It was nothing unusual for a Chief Prison Officer to ask one prisoner to bash another in return for a favour. It was no more unusual for a Governor to place known enemies together in an exercise yard or day room and then sitback and watch the 'Gladitators' at work on his closed circuit TV. The same people who built and ran Jika and 'H' Division are now building new prison's Lara, the Remand Centre, and Castlemaine.

How can we trust them? Clearly we cannot! Lara is to be believed to be five times the size of Jika andwith its location, 12 kms from the town in a splendid isolation of farmland, it will be five times worse.The design of 'suicide' proof toilet bowls is a proof that planners expect the horrors of Jika to continue.

The Deaths in suspicious circumstance, attempted suicides, self mutilations, assaults, threats of violence, isolation and deprivation were an everyday occurance in Jika.These outrages occur throughout all our prisons.The only thing difference is that Jika exaggerated all the wrongs perpetrated against the prison community, wrongs committed in the name of every one of us. The last protest in Jika, in which " Aurthur Gallagher, Robert Wright, David McGauley, Jim Loughnan and Ricky morris" died and others were injured, occured because they could not wait for the outside community to act to stop and correct a prison system which is out of control.

If we who know, and those who have a duty to investigate and report, do not act now, then it can only bea matter of time before others can wait no longer for 'due process' to take its course. Violent protests by prisoners are bought about by an uncaring prison system and an uncaring society. Prisoners are rapidly running out of peaceful ways to have their grievances heard and acted upon.The man and the woman in the street is kept in a blissful ignorance of how our prisons contribute to the cycle of crime which affects us all. It is said that there are no votes in prison reform. The propaganda is maintained by those who dont want prison reform.
If the outside community knew what happens in our prisons, if they knew of the outrage and bitterness felt at the wrongs which daily occur behind the bluestone walls, if they new that thousands of prisoners are released each year with little behind them or ahead of them to build upon them for a law abiding existanceon the outside, then they would rise up and force our parliment to institute immediate and meaningful prisonreform-not out of sympathy for the 'crim' but rather in order to safeguard their own livelihood.

A Royal Commision into Victoria's prison system is the only way ahead. A Royale Commisioninto Australia's riminal justice system is just as desperately needed.In the meantime, the P.R.G will continue to push to obtain the official papers which document the corruption and mal-administration of victoria's prisons.
This magazine ia a compilation of prisoner's letters written from their experiences in Jika and the life in prison. These letters are highly emotive.They indicate the anguish and despair of imprisonment and the varying perspective of whatprisons means to each idividual.None of these letters can be truly representive for what prison means to one may not be thesame way to another. However they clearly spell out that prisons are not the motel room or the holiday resorts the media has made them out to be.

JIKA, 1983: The following is an edited extract from a submission to the legal and Constitutional Committee ofthe parliment of Victoria in its hearing to consider the merits of a bill of rights for the citizens ofthe state of Victoria.

"I was removed from Jika Jika ('K' Div) in 1983, and i lost all my rights as a remand prisoner, as both 'H' Division and Jika access to Leagal Advisors was by appointment only and in some cases cut short because of staff shortages in those Divisions. I found that my leagal advisors were visiting me less due to the problem of getting into visit me and all leagal papers were heavily censored thereby making the police aware of any defence plans.

In Jika all prisoners are subjected to spot searches and often during my trial my leagal documents weretaken from my cell on orders from the governor, denying me access to my legal papers. A check of the incident book of Jika would give the public an idea just what damage that Divison is doing to prisoners kept there.In this divison the following occurs:
a, Prisoners are only allowed to associate with six other prisoners,year in year out.
b, Prisoners are limited in to the time allowed in the fresh air to two hours a day at the most, due to staff shortages,some times not at all, at other times, for less than two hours.
c, Prisoners spend 22 hours plus (per day) in an air conditioned controlled atmosphere.
d, Movement is restricted to a very small area,
Violence is away of life, and i was personally witness to bashings by officers in that division f,*Mind Games* played by prison officers are standard practice, officers trying to get prisoners to "bash"each otherg, Prison officers play one prisoner 'off' against each other.
h, Mail is interfered with by certain officers.
i, Visits are censored.
j, All prisoners are under the camera (observation) at all times except for in cells.
k, Prisoners have no rights in that Division even though there are regulations stating they do. These are upfor interpretation by the governor or officer in charge in any way they want.
Whilst in that Division, Officers in conversation with me discussed my mail and described it word forword, causing me to revise my contact with the outside. Mail should not be censored as its a violation of abasic human right. Sometimes mail just dissapear's.

I know understand that the standard pratice for the Victorian Authorities is to charge a person with anoffence and then make it hard for him to defend himself by putting him in either 'H' Divison or 'K' Division(jika).
This makes access to legal advisers harder and puts prison authorities in a position to censor these legalvisits.
My belief is that the police have some form of control to move people around the prison.

I was witness to a serious assault in jika, Unit 4, side 1, two officers being assaulted and stabbed by a prisoner. The policy in Jika is to punish without a messy court apperances where the outside world can geta look at the pratices and happenings of that division.
It is far easier to punish internally and look at the incident book of that Division might be very educational.Most violence in that Division happens when a prisoner reaches the end of his tether and decides to take no more.

                                               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 us upon our release. The question is, how do we stop this psychological damage or at least 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 it 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 i've 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 what so ever. I could go on and on. All i know is the prison system needs to be investigated totally.

                                                                     JIKA VISITS
There's two little rooms with a table and 2 screws sit right at the door about 4 feet away and just stare at you and listen to everything that is said, I get up to the visit and i cant concertrate, i cant communicate with my girlfriend and visitors.
They (the screws) are the cause of relationship failing, and its hard for the visitor to understand why we cant communicate properly. Of cause they have to be there but not listening to what we talk about. I think its a joke.
Im at a stage where i would rather not have a visit as its stuffing my feelings up on visits. You would think they would give us a bit of privacy.Would they like it if i sat at their house and watched and listened to them sitting at there home. Of course not.
Its unreal and thats all there is to it.

                                                                      JIKA RULES
Another problem down here is the remission system black book.
Like for instance : I cant make any phone calls this month and can have only 2 visits because of the blackbook.
It wasnt my fault. One night i had an outside doctor come in to see me as i was in bad pain. He gave me two injections and a bottle of medication to knock me out and the doctor said 'rest in bed tomorrow' . Anyway muster the screws said "whats the go being in bed" So i explained and the turds put me back in the book.
So now because i was crook and that, my family had to miss out on visits and phone calls. How do you win with some thing like that. Its unreal.Rules change from day to day down here, well i dont know if it just this unit or not. it looks this way.
Certain screws to ride certain prisoners , its alright for them to call us names and abuse us and play mind games, but as soon as we retaliate we get charged.
They have different rules everyday, one day i ask for writing paper and got it of the senior. The next day i ask again and they said it was against the rules. Another thing i tried to send something out through my property and had to get a card signed, i saw the cheif who said see the store man, then he said see the activity officer, then he said see the Governor, and he said it wasn't up to him.
It ended up an ordinary screw could do it.Talk about Passing the buck.
NO JUSTICE FOR US!!

                                                CONDEMNATION OF JIKA JIKA
                                                          3RD OF SEPTEMBER 88
Jika Jika, now known as 'K' Division is all the terrifying things i have heard it to be. I can not believe this place, even within the prison system, could be so poorly organised, poorly run, and so designed to crush any semblance of human decency. In slightly 2 weeks ive seen 2 deaths (supposed accidents or suicides), victims of bashings , and virtually every prisoner i have ( with great difficulty) been able to communicate with, living in constant fear of their lives-not from other prisoners (although such fears exist also) but from prison authorities. This is a place where, if not quiet good people, at least halfway decent people,can be and are turned into potential killers, wanting nothing more than to get out and wreak vengence upon society percieved as responsible for the horror's of Jika Jika.

I was in unit two where and when the life of another prisoner was taken by hanging and burning. I have been placed into the cell he died in. Although partially repainted, i can still smell the repulsive odure of burning human flesh.On the bed {a concrete slab}, on the window, on the floor and on the toilet bowl are what looks lile charred human flesh, i was put in to the cell of death over my strenuous objections. I was forced in here by prison officers wearing riot gear, brandishing batons and holding plastic riot shields.I have been in here about 12 hours now, and although i have asked many times to be given cleaning materials and disinfection,have been given nothing. I was lucky to get a matteres's and i was given a wet sheet and told i would "be able to dry them tomorrow". So much has happened in the short time i have been in Jika Jika that i am horrified to think of all that has gone on over here in the years. I will in a few sentence's mention a few other but relatively minor difficulties i have encountered here.

Most of the meals i receive are cold, sometimes i haven't received meals. I had to take cold showers, it is impossible to become settled. I have had my cell changed four times in twelve days. For much of my time here i have been locked in my cell between twenty three and twenty four hours a day, i have been totally isolated from other prisoners. I have only managed to talk to anyone else through glass {bulletproof} and bars. Prison officers have attempted to turn me against other prisoners and to turn other prisoners against me.More importantly, i have be refused access to the equipment, book and other materials i use in my studies and writing, although access was promised by Jim Kennan, the {former} Attorney-General.

I have not been given free access to my solicitor even though he came with papers i needed to approve and sign to initiate a high court appeal. We had to speak on a monitored phone through glass and bars, i have had almost 3,000 pages of transcripts,correspondence, F.O.I documents and legal defence plans taken {stolen} from my property, and any knowledge or their whereabouts totally denied by prison authorities.The correspondence includes, among highly sensitive items, letters from well known politicians {both state and federal}who have offered varying degrees of support. I feel this last issue, and the legal documents, to be so important, and so potentially damaging to my future court case that i have taken the step of approaching the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to askfor an injunction directing prison authorities to retrieve these materials and any copies they had made from.To indicate the extent of the fear {the prison officers call paranoia - isnt that always the way}- i have been,today, called out by two different prisoners in desperation, telling me of their belief that they would be bashed or killed by prison officer's, and asking if i would try and keep and eye on them and please notify someone {anyone} on their behalf if the worst were to happen.
Within two hours of one of these request, i saw a number of prison officers go into the cell of one of the prisoners who had earlier made a plea to me. Shortly after, that prisoner came out of his cell in front of the prison officers- he looked dazed and was holding his head.I later spoke on his behalf to a prison governor and was told the prisoner had not been bashed, but he had "fallen and hit his head on the floor".The governor told me i could repeat what i saw to the ombudsmen or anyone else if i chose, but that no-one would believe me. Unfortunately, i know that is true. There are always plenty of prison officers to swear to the "official line" and who could dispute them.I was told i could be assured the injured prisoner would confirm that version of the "accident"; and i am sure he would.

The man was terrified, practically cowering in fear.And now to the last bit of information which i was told by prison officers i was to say nothing about. I was there when the prisoner supposedly hung and burnt himself. I make no allegations, but i say the statement that "there were no suspicious circumstances" is patently incorrect. Some Questions arise in my mind.
Why would a man both set a fire in his cell and hang himself? How did he managed to get burnt to the degree he was while he was hanging about 15 feet from the fire?
Why did it take so long for prison officers to get to his cell {between one to one hour}?Why didn't anyone respond to the screams and yelling ? Which doors did i hear opening and closing not to long before the fire?

From what i could see and hear From my cell {admittedly i was somewhat groggy and overcome by smoke and fumes}, the delays seemed inordinately long. Afterwards there were officers bursting out in laugher. I heard one joking that this prisoner didn't smell as bad as Barry Quinn did.In all fairness though, i will acknowledge that some of the prison officers were quiet shaken and in a state of emotional trauma. One officer must have said six to eight times "i have this burnt flesh all over me"

Now this may seem a veritable diatribe against the Jika section of pentridge prison, and it is. I think this place was fairly labelled by Jeff Lapidos of the prison reform group during a T.V interview,when he called Jika pentridge "Death Row"

I am not alone in saying these things, Prison Authorities at all levels, officers in the units to Chiefs and Governors, are fully aware of the disasterous problems within Jika Jika.
It was even suggested that by a high level prison officer that i should write to the media concerning their problems. He indicated his hopes that something will force those in power to finally deal effectively with these longstanding problems.

So its not only prisoners, but also prison officers who desperately want changes here.
I don't even suggest as some have, that this facility should be shut down.
Realistically {perhaps sadly} there is a need for high security section in the Victorian Prison system.The problem in Jika, as severe, even life threatening as they are, could be solved. All prison officers arenot monsters. Some, perhaps many are decent men who, if given the chance could turn Jika from the hellhole it is at present to a place of humane high security.
                                            REMAND - HUNGER STRIKE

On this page i will explain to you how i feel. Physically not to bad. When i get up fast from sitting down or lying down i get a head rush, and feel a little faint.
My weight on Wednesday the 11th of February was 57a half kilograms.
Thursday 56 kilo's, Friday 55 kilo's, Saturday 54 Kilo's... I ham also having urine samples taken daily- thats all:
I can't see any reason for the staff to take my blood pressure or pulse. Itsthe final result that counts.

The Governor Mr. Jones, asked me "Why i was on a hunger strike?" I explained about Legal Aid - and K division in general. I also explained to the Governor that he should be in contact with my family and solicitor if he wishes any further information. He knows of some of the verbal abuse I have received from all his staff, nobody wanted to help me or give me answer's. The buck was passed on nearly every time.

I have been treated like an animal with all the ramps - medical treatment refused, property stolen,property destroyed. Before i was placed on a salad diet, which i think i have been on for about 4 & a half months now, i have found all sorts of foreign objects in my meals from finger nails to match sticks to lumps of spit. There are many other substances i've found. How much does a person have to take?

Then there is the mind games with my visits, visits on occasions have suffered abuse and other stresses.
And here i am a man, a person on remand being treated like this. Well enough is enough, i will not let this"K" Division environment destroy me or turn me into a low animal.

There are to many lies and cover ups being committed here, I am not a liar. I dont speak fiction, only fact.I can see quiet clearly what the system is trying to do to me. The classification Committee is nothing but a bloody joke.How many United Nations regulations have been broken, or breeched? its maddening to say the least.

I will battle for what is my right, till the end. I am a man, not a sheep, who the system thinks can abuse.I have been threatened with all sorts of things, but look at my prison record its clean. So where is their logic? And they have been trying for nine months now, i haven't fallen in with their games.

I feel strongly that the pressure comes from outside sources for what im going through, So judgment has been passed onto me, convicted and sentenced with no hearing.

So much is wrong behind these walls, A Royal Commision is needed.

I am living in the same conditions as a man that has been sentenced, the only difference is i have my own clothes, but im only allowed 2 sets.
Then again on all visits i must wear their monkey suits, so the system has only met me half way on this.

When i first arrived at "K" Divison everything was confiscated from me, I was placed in a cell with nothing - no radio, no T.V, no hot water jug, only a bed pack and some books. So i was in solitary confinment for 7 weeks.

The activity officer said to us we had to buy everything from him, unreal and what about the surcharge he put on everything. We are remand people!

I agree with putting all your weight behind stopping this practice of putting remand prisoners in Maximum Security are incorrigible. What a tage to wear when your not a judge.English Justice was not meant to be like this!

                                                               LARA_NEW JIKA????
It seems the new gaol at Lara will be finisheD in 2 years, and have 30 man units, if they can't find 6 to be compatible in a unit in jika how will they find 30!!

Im told there will be work, it will be more relax etc, and a very strong perimeter.
They said therE was going to be work in Jika when it opened, but it never came about!

So we and others here believe it will end up like Jika maybe. By the sounds of it they will have a special 10 or 20 man 'punishment" unit also, so a mini "H"Divison will probably be taking place, as its going to have 250 beds, so that leaves a spare 10 man unit at least.

                                                                     SIDE 1- UNIT 4
At the moment we are in isolation in side 1 of unit 4, we have turned this unit into another "H Block"as prisoners in Irland did in protest at the inhumane treatment they had to suffer in "H Block" over there, by covering their surroundings with excreta. We have not covered ourselves with it, but the unit is.
The unit must be virtually dismantled for it to be sterilised as the shit is in many places they can not get to. It is very tense atmosphere in this unit between us and the screws.

                                               THE CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE BLUES
We have discovered that at classification meetings the shorthand writer only writes down what the classo thinks should be. Complaints the prisoners make to classo about them are not recorded, or not put into their proper context.
The chairperson who chairs the meeting writes down that if you complain that you "express bitterness" not complaints. The classo told us that we are not entitled to verbatim accounts of what transpires at a meeting between us and them,so the classo only records what benefits them.

They have used charged we have been acquitted of by judges against us in relation to our placement in prison and tell us they don't recognise court decisions. They omit these statements fron there recordings of meetings.
We have had to confront them and demand to have these statements they have previously uttered entered on our files to try and stop the cover up they ingage in.There are incidents recorded on my classo file (assaults on screws etc.) that i have never been charged with or been investigated about.

Aligations made against you by another prisoner or screw are alot of time placed on your file and treated....The disturbing part is that your never told of these aligatioons or given the chance to reply to them and have their validity tested.
I have gained my classification file,or parts of it, under the F.O.I act.I have noticed with horror there are incidents recorded which i am alledged to have commited,that i dont even know about,that i have never been charged with or even investigated about.

I have noticed that classo has actually verballed me in their reports about me.Complaints i ahve made to the classo about the way they finction are not recorded,but turned as "came before the comitty and expressed his bitterness"

I noticed in the short hand minutes taken that only whats seems to favour the classo is recorded and any points you make to them are not recorded verbatim and therefore are distorted.

I would like to one day apply through F.O.I. to see why they first put me through Maxium Security for so long. I feel that the Classification Committee must, and i mean must, justify to me why so many hard years up front.They {classo} really feel they are above having to explain their actions. Its very wrong.

I was told by the committee that i am not entitled to a verbatim account of what transpires between myself and them. They only take down what they think should be recorded. Their opinions of you are recorded like they are facts.
This same committee only sees a prisoner once every three months for a few minutes at the most. Yet on reading their opinions, a person would think they lived with you every day. They have used charges against me which i have been acquitted of and told me they do not reconise court decisions.

If the Classifications Committee is exempt from the laws of natural justice and is not held accountable to the laws of natural justice, when one sees a body such as Classification Committee blantanly violate them.

This committee is supposed to comprise educated people, yet they do more than break the law, they fabbricate the reports on you.
It would be advisable for any prisoner to contact the P.R.G for the forthcoming F.O.I. hearing it has to get access to documents, as you must all remeber your classification file is used to assess you for community goal, rehabilitation possibilities, parole reports, attendance centre and work release programs to mention a few.

Its also important that the classo be accountable for their actions and the more wrongs we discover they do, the more we can have against them to bring about changes.

K' needs to be watched. It still snaps crims from what i have been able to make out from the inmates there. I am sure also that some of the prisoners in 'K' are going to get very violent soon because they cant cope with 'K' anymore.I cant blame them.

                                                                   CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE 2
We believe very strongly that the problems in Jika Jika can not be tackled unless they are viewed in an historical contest from the day on which Jika was opened.
The fact that the problems which have been encounted since Jika opened, have not been addressed and are not being addressed.

The suggestion that indroducing possible outside groups, such as group therapy, is not the answer to solving the existing problems in jika.
The crux of the problem is far more fundamental than this and rests primarily with the Classification committee and the administrive procedures which are currently being implemented in Jika.
We believe that if the following changes were instituted in relation to the Classification Committee that are very large majority of the problems which currently exist in Jika would not exsist.
1. All court decisions must be heeded by the Classifications Committee.
2. Charges against a prisoner which have been aquitted by a court must not be used against that prisoner.
3. Allegations made against a prisoner must be put to the prisoner and the prisoner be given the oppotunity to answer the allegation.
4. If allegations made against a prisoner have no basis for charges to be laid, the allegations should not be entered on his file. Furthermore, he should not be punnished for allegations that are unsubstantiated and in fact would not stand up in the law of court.
5. A complete and accurate account of what transpires between a prisoner and the Classification Committee at the "meetings and the full Classification Board meetings should be taken down on transcript verbatim.
6.The Classification Committee including the "R&A", must not be permitted to only put what they deemed suitable from minutes and reports on a prisoners Classification file.
7.Tape recordings of Classification meetings must take place.
8. Independant people, such as a soliciter, must be placed on the Classification Board to ensure that the Classification Board does not abuse the prisoners leagal rights. There should be a member of the Legal Constitutional Committee or any person who is a member of a responsible committee, an independant psychiatrist and a doctor.
9. All high security prisoners must be given the same priviledges as other prisoners in the mainstream prison population. For example, the same visiting rights, the same phone call times, the same employment opportunitys,hobbies, education, access to religous personal and services, outside exercise in the yards {more than the hour to hour and a half which is average now}, night activities, equal access to the dentist {which is very limited at the moment}. Food catering in the security units to be significantly improved,easier access to psychitristis and for long delays to be remedied.
10. Mentally unstable prisoners should not be placed in high security with otha prisoners
11. Complaints to the minister responsible for the office of corrections and his replys to prisoners must not be placed on our classifiaction files,nor the classification committee imformed of our complaints about them due to the fact that it is a strong belief of prisoners that this leaves them open to retribution by the classification commity and plus thus makes prisoners feel intimidated and scared to lodge omplaints dur to their complaints being forwarded to the classification committee.
12. The prisoner must be present when the Classification Board cast a vote upon prisoner's placement.
13. Due to the adverse psychological stress of long term incarceration in high security and the effects this has on prisoner, a set period of time must be placed on the prisoners term in high security. For example. in N.S.W. a maxium of 3 months only is permitted. We strongly believe that the same should apply in Victoria due to the fact that it has been proven in N.S.W. that this system of placement for a maxium of 3 months has been successful.

The longer im in prison, the more i realise just how much say the police have in here. It should be kept completely seperate. This place is just an extention of Russlle Street, So what hope have we got. We are judged as guilty on any suspicions the cops might suggest to the classo people.

And they wonder why we are so bitter against them.The public must be shown what the cops are really like. How many times has a cop rung up, unofficially, some goverment or chief and said give this crim a hard time. {Frustrated cops.}

So we ar pre-judged before we hit the gate.{Frustrated Prisoner}.

                                                  A BAD TRIP - OR IS IT A DREAM???
I arrived my first time; to "D" for 2 days, then Jika, then 40 days in the slot, sent to 'H' for hitting a screw.
I have been here going on 9 months and my mind has given birth to a blank space!I sit and wonder"How did i get to this place?"; : Who are these things in little blue suits?"

How has all this happened to me is it all a dream??

Did i pass out while smoking budda in front of the T.V.? Did i pass out watching the re-runs of get smart, and kaos is really 'K' Div with Zigfread as the governor and Shtarka as the cheif of the Division, Max smart as Jim Kennan?

Or is this just a bad episode of the Twilight zone? Will there be a hiss of air as a door opens in and out of the mist walks rod sterlin explaning how it all been another trip into the twilight zone?
But as i write this, i look around and it seems real. Is It?

                                                               FIRST TIME
My time in Jika is my real experience with jail. I have seen many things which have shocked me and in many cases, disgusted me. I have seen the P.O.'s go from the sublime to the ridiculous. They've set up prisoners to attack other prisoners.

In one case 2 prisoners took to two other prisoners with cricket bats supplied by the P.O.'s. After the incident, one of the prisoners were move to another unit and some days latter his accomplice was moved to the same unit, presumably so they could continue attacking inmates {together} for the P.O.'s.

I myself was involved in a similar incident where a inmate was given a stanley knife by a P.O. Then he was let into the day room where he slashed a 14cm cut into my stomach. The attack was totally unprovoked.The point is tha prisoners aren't supposed to be allowed stanley knives in the day room.

I believe that a majority of P.O's see it as their duty to punish inmates just because we are in goal. They do it everyday, taking their sexual inadequacies out on us unfortunates.
I always thought our only punishment was loss of freedom, not constant harrasment. Now i know otherwise.

We have been battling to get work down here for months. We asked the Gov {as an idea} that we may scrub the unit from top to bottom for a wage - an increase in one weeks earnings, but the answer was "NO", so we went ahead and scrubbed the windows regardless. This went unnoticed.

The old adage applies here somewhere:"ilde hands are the devils playground". We can't even get a tennis ball to play with.

continue for the reading of there words for the tragic fire in 88