A day in the life Of an Australian Residential Inmate - what Australia prison is like

[loyallady]

have you heard of it?aka children of prisoners theyhavea lotofpush when it comes to the best possible for the kids and daddy to have fun and make prison good (considering its a jail) but they reallyhelp a lot and if everyone got behind them,no they are not guards or anything to do with turing keys its all they try todo is keep the contact happeningand make as much or get as much going as they can for the kids and their daddies to have family days etc so if there isanyone who has'nt supported themget behind them as theyreally are lovely ladies and guys and they try so hard but need support from all of us

Originally Posted by Kyla

Rose
I dont think prison life is that great at all, but I know of men here, that go for parol, and say they dont want to leave, they get a bed, three meals a day and a job. I know people that have been released as well, and re offend, as they say life in our prison system is better, cause there friends are there and they have no one on the outside. It still isnt a very nice place to be, by stating this, especially those that have jobs, friends and loved ones on the outside.
I just thought of something to. At visits, they put disney movies on for the kids, and have a play area, with a shut gate, that they can play in as well, with books and swings, etc. They were building BBQs to, so people can keep the kids in a family type enviroment, behind those walls.
As I said, not perfect, there is strict rules to follow, but they have thought it through as well.

[loyallady]

Ive always been able to kiss etc and the kids have been all over daddy, in the nsw prisons (most)anyway, I think it depends on how the mum is with her kids as youknow somekids are really dirty,the women speak like fish wives and of course the officers and pippa's are'nt going to allow them any kind of who haone girl who got a lift withme actually fell pregnant in the jail lol to her hubby in the prison (no joke)and no I don't mean im a suck holeorbrown nose I have simply spoken nicely politely and if any issues have arisen ive taken it up with the commisioners office not the officers as what can they do?I really feel a lot of women actually make it worse for inmates with the way they speak and the kids a lot are dirty,filthy nappies etc,but then lol i have done like 14 years on and off (you only get 12 for murder)cheers tell the girls to be niceand byno means swear or be like a fishwife and they will get further and they over look the protocol a bit

Originally Posted by Corry

Fed-X,

Well to answer your questions :

1.) Yes you can seriously purchase a computer via an outside purchase with the approval of the General Manager AKA the Wardon. The process involved and the requirements are as follows:

In order to purchase a computer (desktop or laptop) via outside purchase an inmate may make a written request to the General Manager providing that the inmate has the funds. If the inmate does not have the funds and they have a friend or family member willing to deposit money the inmate must file a request to exceed the weekly trust account limit of $100.00 describing what the funds will be used for. If the inmate request to exceed the weekly trust account limit is approved then the inmate may request an outside purchase.In this case the inmate must provide the approved request to exceed the monthly trust account limit with the request to purchase a computer. If the request is approved the inmate may choose a computer from a designated supplier. This does not impede on the quality or function of the computer.
The pricing on computers is only dictated by the supplier if an inmate has the funds he can pretty much purchase any computer however there are restrictions on periferials such as scanners camera's etc. generaly the only periferial allowed are printer speakers keyboard and mouse.

As far as internet access the inmates are not allowed any form of internet access .The prison I was in was fairly new it allowed computer access for the purpose education they provided courses in MS Office, Db stuctures and of course inmates could order their own cirriculum from universites or Education providers. As well if an inmate owns his own computer he can order Trainning such as MCSE, CNE, CNA, Linux, Programming etc to undertake self training courses the inmate has to speak with the education officers to arrange the ordering and supply of materials. Inmates can have CD's and CD players.

Air Conditioning, yes australian prisons are heated and airconditioned. in the day rooms as well as in the independent cells. In workshops industrial exhaust fans are used to cool the working areas.

Visits, Initially all inmates go through a period of non -contact visits where they are seperated by large metal and glass partitions that span from the floor to the ceiling. These visitationsession are recorded via audio.

This is due to the Department of Corrections requirement that all visitors must have a police check completed. So all visitors with the exception of children are required to complete a form at the prison which the prison then sends off to the Police service. Upon reciept of the results of the police check Prison Intell then assess the risk of each visitor eg trafficing drugs or weapons into the prison. Generally if the visitor does not have a criminal record then contact visits may be approved but the inmates behaviour and any infringements may impact on contact visits and on occassion impact on visits all together.

Contact visits start with a breif kissing/ hugging period then there is no physical contact allowed children aren't allowed to set on dads lap etc babys are the exception. the visit area has drink and snack machines these machine only accept tokens that the inmate must purchase during his weekly buy up. Family members are not allowed to bring in any money cigarettes or other personal items and the same for inamates. notes and other effects such and pictures etc are prohibited at visits. Smoking is also prohibited in some prison visitation areas where I was at it was non smoking. Visits where usually about 2 1/2 hours inmates are strip searched before and after visits. contact visits are monitored and recorded on video. as well as haveing guards patrol the visit area.

phone calls local calls are 40 cents and lond distance calls are charged at standard long distance rates by the minute.

I hope this fills in the blanks for you

corry

[loyallady]

they were always cool with us at both,have you been nice to the entire staff?I found bybeing nice it made it better for hubby and our visits,andthats no swearing also

Originally Posted by katykat

my husband is currently in Silverwater minimum security after 3 months over at M.R.R.C, no release date as yet as he has a hearing pending and a parole board hearing. Can anyone tell me why they are soooo strict on physical contact during visits???. We had more physical contact during vists in max then we do now in minimum, has it always been this way over there? or only since the guard was killed?

[starzxzoo]

hi,sara my b/f is also in junee correctional centre he's only been there for 2weeks he is doing a 12mnts,he has been sending me letters and when i try to send him one the letters keep coming back to me have you sent your b/f a letter if so what is the correct address your using,could you please let me know thanks very much...

Originally Posted by sara76

Hi im Sara my b/f is in Junee Correctional Centre he has been there now for 1 and a half months he was transferres from Silverwater MRRC.
I live in Young nsw and im telling you its just over 100km/s from Junee and the STD rates for him to ring me for 10 minutes is $3.40 i cant believe the cost!!!
My b/f gets released 4th March and every day is a struggle... for us both.
i was just looking for some one to talk to as no one around me really understands the frustration of a loved one in jail, this site is great..
Is there any one else who has a loved one at Junne on here?

cheers

[starzxzoo]

hi,sara my b/f is also in junee correctional centre he's only been there for 2weeks he is doing a 12mnts,he has been sending me letters and when i try to send him one the letters keep coming back to me have you sent your b/f a letter if so what is the correct address your using,could you please let me know thanks very much...



uote=sara76;4200538]Hi im Sara my b/f is in Junee Correctional Centre he has been there now for 1 and a half months he was transferres from Silverwater MRRC.
I live in Young nsw and im telling you its just over 100km/s from Junee and the STD rates for him to ring me for 10 minutes is $3.40 i cant believe the cost!!!
My b/f gets released 4th March and every day is a struggle... for us both.
i was just looking for some one to talk to as no one around me really understands the frustration of a loved one in jail, this site is great..
Is there any one else who has a loved one at Junne on here?

cheers[/quote]

[betterman]

What is the remand centre on Spencer Street Melbourne like?

Also is this a typical day in any prison? What about for more serious crimes like Murder?

[BundyChicka]

I cannot state what prison is like for the visitor, I can only relate to the other side of it, having lived the experience personally for 17mths out of a 7yr sentence. 1 month in Boga Road (Women's) and 'Stuart' Townsville Women's for the rest of my sentence. I can however compare the two, and how life was totally different from one place to the next. My first introduction to Boga was when I was waiting for bail in 1992 (took a couple of weeks) which I was out for 11mths before being sentenced. Then back in for a month or so, then transported to Townsville.

It was a massive change from the massive brick walls, unfriendly-looking blocks and the even more stern screws (very uptight and formal), prison politics running at an all high. I didn't have problems with the women, quite the opposite really despite hassels others were having (because of their crimes). Like I said, there are three things you do not want to be sentenced for, and two out of the three invole children. Trick is, mind your buisness, remember who's side you are on and stick to yourself (as much as possible). Boga, was extremely... routine. Lock downs refined you to the dullness of your cell and the yelling of conversation from other cells. I can honestly say, I was glad to never see the place again.

Townville Women's (at the time) was a whole total different environment. Open fences (seperating the area from the men's max and medium), no more than razor wire, two seperate fences and a small 2 wing cell block plus the eating area, tennis court, yard, mess & visiting area. When I was there at the max 18-20 women. The screws weren't as uptight and I have to admit they were easier to get along with. Never had hassels. Most of the time was spent outside in the garden or playing volleyball. I am talking 1995 onwards here, I think things have changed greatly since then. I worked in the kitchen for the most part of my sentence with Valmae Beck. I even had my daughter whilst inside though she did not stay in there with me... I did not think it fair that she should come into this world under that circumstance-- and my mother took care of her though I saw her every day.

The screws/officers were wonderful where myself and daughter were concerned, then again most of the officers in the women's section were in Kirwan Hospital with me when I had her. Perhaps in that retrospection we shared a personal bond-- where my daughter was concerned. She was approx 11 months when I was released on 'Home Release' or whatever it is called. All I can say is that, I found through my experience that things could have been a whole lot harder, then again, I did what I was meant to, remained staunch to fellow inmates. didn't piss off the screws and did my work. For us as prisoners, the only real prison that we can feel is the one we create for ourselves-- it can be easy or hard, it is totally up to us which way it ends up... of course, that depends on where we serve and the attitude of those who think they are superior. Some just like to power trip and make everyone feel like shit on their shoe.

[b_boy]

Is a day in the life Of an Australian Residential Inmate still the same? Any changes to post #1, for today inmate in minimum security?