Brisbane Correctional Center (David Longlands?)

[rokku]

Hi all.

My brother has just been sentenced (last week) to two years and was moved from Brisbane watchhouse to BCC (Sir David Longlands) yesterday, where he will apparently serve our his sentence (although I think he's still being processed) unless he can get and win an appeal. Details sketchy unfortunately, as I am in the UK and getting information from my mum, who is obviously under a great deal of stress and worry.

Anyway, to keep this brief, I was wondering if anyone has served, or known anyone who has served, in this prison recently? I've read a lot of accounts about its past, and seen it referred to as 'the killing fields' for the violence and deaths that occured there, so obviously I am very concerned about my brother's wellbeing. I believe it's been renovated and hopefully cleaned up somewhat?

Any information on life inside this prison would be greatly appreciated.

My mother is hoping to see him in a couple of days, but we don't know when he'll be 'processed' but do know (from what Mum's told me) that he'll be put into maximum security.

Sorry for any daft questions or incorrect terminology...

Thanks.

[LIW08]

Hi R,
I have a little information but maybe others will have more. First, Brisbane Correctional Center (BCC) has just been renovated. If you go to the Queensland Corrective services site, you can find out more about it. If you go to the News Section, there are some articles about it around January-February 2008.

What I have been told is that it is strictly a reception center, so it is unlikely he will spend his whole time there. He will be there until he is assessed, then assigned to a permanent placement(although even after that, he can be transferred again).

Security there is very strict. There are cameras in every room, which are always on, and it is a crime to obstruct their view. Two men are in each room, and the showers are timed to only allow one three minute shower per day. There are very few telephones for a very large number of men, so apparently, getting time on the phone is a challenge.

Perhaps someone else can give you more information, this is all I know.

Hope it helps. And welcome to PTO.

L

[rokku]

Thanks L.

Well he managed to make a phone call to my mum, who is much relieved now. he says he's being treated well. And like you said, they will be moving him in due course (he said after 28 days) to Woodford, Marylborough or Woolston Park.

Hopefully, though, his appeal will go through and be successful before then.

Thanks again.

[LIW08]

You are welcome. Rokku. Hope it goes as best as can be expected. Glad your mum is better too

[lannylu]

Tell your mum to tell him not to tell people he might be going to wolston as thats a protection prison... that won't go down well if he is in mainstream. Best of luck and hope it all works out for you Don't worry about the killing fields thing it seems those days are over and security is better.

[alibren]

My partner has been at BCC for four months pending his appeal. Its not all that bad as it is almost brand new. Its really just a reception centre and there a few that they keep to run the laundry etc. We are hoping he stays there until he is reclassified as the only other choice for maximum would be woodford which is a 3 hour drive for me. If you visit just make sure you dont touch drugs or anything that may have come incontact with drugs as its got all the new state of the art detection units. I dont go near anything and I tested positive to heroin which blew me away. The staff later informed me that it would have been because I had been touching cash that morning! Thats how secure this place is. I llike that as it makes me feel hes safe but its really frustrating as 3 strikes and I cant visit him.

[rokku]

Well he got transferred this morning to Woodford, which is the one he didn't want to go to (says my Mum). It is his birthday today, and my mum and his girlfriend had a visit planned, so that has ticked my mother off no end!!

Still no news on his appeal, although legal aid have agreed to pay for it, so hopefully he'll hear something soon...

Thanks to all for their comments It's crap being stuck here in the UK while this is going on, but I just need to wait for some good news...

[heartbroken1681]

hi my boyfriend is in the brisbane watchhouse. he has been there since tuesday.. everytime i rang they said he was in transit.. and i kept geting the run around.. iam in western australia n still getin ova tha shoke of him bein taken away from me.. i rang again today n they said yes we lost my phone number so my bf cldnt get in touch with me.. so now that he has my number is he allowed to call me everyday.. i miss him so much..and its so hard being in a different state