Notice to new members intending to register - from January 9th 2012

bellie · #1 07-10-2011, 04:23 AM

Hey!

Today I visited my guy at Cessnock and was subjected to a search. I was asked to go into a room and told a female would be present. I really had no idea what was going on. I was asked questions and because I had lost my brain I gave some pretty sketchy answers. After the male officer got angry and I burst into tears, pretty much because I dealing with family issues and was not coping with being harassed. I was then informed that this was a random search. However, I am not convinced it was random considering I was asked about my ban which was reinstated and also because I was the only person searched. How random is it? Am I being targeted? This is the first time I have seen anyone searched at cessnock.

MadeInOz · #2 07-11-2011, 02:43 AM

That sounds terrible.

I don't know about the procedures in Cessnock, but I imagine that there are a number of possibilities:

1) It was a truly random search, however, having intelligence information on you - even in its randomness - they would know about your ban.

2) It was specifically targeted. They could have had 'intelligence' to suggest you might have been up to something, (not suggesting in any way shape or form that you would be, but there are a lot of stupid things that go on in prison that wind up with consequences, unintended or otherwise).

I believe that they should have been up front about the whole affair in either case, rather than make it seem like a formal interview/interrogation. I can't blame you for feeling that way.

I guess the defence they would always fall back on in either case would be that it were entirely random, and for you to prove otherwise would be quite difficult.

Did you at least get in to visit with your guy?

Peace

Dave/MIO

bellie · #3 07-11-2011, 04:07 AM

Hey,

Thanks for the reply. I did get into the visit ok. I have half a feeling that it's because I am single female and they have apparently had a drug crack down there. My guy has a feeling that there is a bit of intel on me because of things that happened in respect to the ban.

I guess they are doing their job but I was just not having a day for it.

Johnos_girl · #4 07-30-2011, 08:24 AM

Hiya, sorry you had to go though this

I know over here, they do random searches. Doesnt have to have a reason to do it. Just any random person. So I wouldnt get too upset about it if I was you. I dont think you are being singled out, I think you just happened to be the random person at that time. If it happens a few more times. Then maybe you have something to think about. But if not. Id put it down to it just being random.

J.G

bellie · #5 07-30-2011, 04:00 PM

I think your right. I was just already really worked up so it didn't really help!

elishaxo · #6 08-01-2011, 03:13 AM

My boyfriend is at Barwon here in Vic and lately they've had a blitz on searching not only inmates but visitors too. They went through every inmates cell and tore them apart as well as collecting playstations for pornography. Apparently the hole was FULL after they did both searches. My boyfriend said they have laid back on them but now they're searching visitors. I went on Sunday and my mums car was searched by not only co's but dogs too. Everyone entering the prison was searched. On the Saturday my boyfriends mum was strip searched, they went through her wallet also. I'm sorry about your experience, it's such a pain in the neck!

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bellie · #7 08-01-2011, 04:11 AM

It is hey. I understand they have to do it. I guess that just picked the wrong day!

elishaxo · #8 08-01-2011, 04:34 AM

Not only that were all eager to see them and they hold us up ha!

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Johnos_girl · #9 08-01-2011, 05:45 AM

I have to say, each time I have been to see my man, they have searched everyone else, but not me... I guess cause in his unit, all the guards know me as soon as I say my name lol. Cause I send the most mail in my mans unit lol. They all know my car now, and just wave me though.
Last time I went, I felt sorry for this young girl. The car she was in, was ahead of me. It was searched, with dogs ( all cars are searched with dogs ) and she had to stand there and be searched too. Right infront of everyone ( not a strip search ) she did have to take her Jumper off, and her socks and shoes though, and man it was freezing cold too. Then when we go into the room where we visit, you have to give them everything you have on you, which is put into a plastic bag with your name on it. I gave mine the lady doing it, smiled at me, said it was nice to put a face to the name and the letters lol.. Then pointed and said where to go next. As I walked over, that same girl, got searched again. Jumper off , shoes and socks off again. I have to say, I felt sorry for her, cause again infront of everyone, and she just looked so scared. I wanted to hug her and tell her it was ok.
I hope the next time she goes, she doesnt have to go though all that again, all that may have been enough to scare her from ever going back again.

J.G

elishaxo · #10 08-01-2011, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnos_girl

I have to say, each time I have been to see my man, they have searched everyone else, but not me... I guess cause in his unit, all the guards know me as soon as I say my name lol. Cause I send the most mail in my mans unit lol. They all know my car now, and just wave me though.
Last time I went, I felt sorry for this young girl. The car she was in, was ahead of me. It was searched, with dogs ( all cars are searched with dogs ) and she had to stand there and be searched too. Right infront of everyone ( not a strip search ) she did have to take her Jumper off, and her socks and shoes though, and man it was freezing cold too. Then when we go into the room where we visit, you have to give them everything you have on you, which is put into a plastic bag with your name on it. I gave mine the lady doing it, smiled at me, said it was nice to put a face to the name and the letters lol.. Then pointed and said where to go next. As I walked over, that same girl, got searched again. Jumper off , shoes and socks off again. I have to say, I felt sorry for her, cause again infront of everyone, and she just looked so scared. I wanted to hug her and tell her it was ok.
I hope the next time she goes, she doesnt have to go though all that again, all that may have been enough to scare her from ever going back again.

J.G

Aww that poor girl! I could only imagine how she felt. I freaked out when they searched the car - I had nothing to hide but still felt scared haha!!

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Laura_09 · #11 08-01-2011, 07:26 AM

Are they allowed 2 just randomely strip search you?

Johnos_girl · #12 08-01-2011, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elishaxo

Aww that poor girl! I could only imagine how she felt. I freaked out when they searched the car - I had nothing to hide but still felt scared haha!!

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I know I really wanted to just give her a hug.

10 years ago, when a friend of mine was in prison, he was in a higher one. So it was the barb-wire fences etc ( my man is in low, so got none of that )
The cars wernt searched at all. I would see him ever weekend as the prison was only a 20 min drive from where I lived at the time. But when you went inside, you had to go though one of those things like when you go on a plane.
Then you all got searched. Not a strip search but just with that stick thing. metal detector I think it is. The first few times I had to have it every time, because of my tongue bar, it always set it off lol. But then they got to know me, and didnt bother with the stick thing, they knew it was only my bar lol. He was only in for 6 months, so I didnt have to get beeped at for too long lol.

J.G

elishaxo · #13 08-01-2011, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laura_09

Are they allowed 2 just randomely strip search you?

I think so but it doesn't happen often. Just go through and get a metal detector. Nothing extreme. Sometimes you have to go through a drug thing that blows air on you. I don't think PPP is that strict though. Barwon is cos it's max but I think that's all.

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*Becky2* · #14 08-02-2011, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laura_09

Are they allowed 2 just randomely strip search you?

Unfortunately when it comes to visiting in prisons they can do pretty much anything they feel like. Everyone is so afraid of speaking out and complaining because it will either impact on those we are visiting or because if we piss them off they will find a way to make visits difficult - box visits for instance because there has been some minor infraction.

Sad but true.

**number8** · #15 08-02-2011, 02:40 AM

I agree with you Becky2, asking questions or making comments can result cause repercussions to either the visitor ot the inmate.
I have been visiting for years (damn that sound awful!!, lol) and still subjected to searches from time to time. Car searches with dogs is common, although not every week at teh moment. metal detector and dog every single time. shoes off, show sock tops, pull out pockets.. blah blah.

Some units are more relaxed than others, but I think that we should be ready to be searched at any time... takes the stress out of it when it happens.

Boy do I get mad at the idiots that try to take contaband in... they are the ones that make it harder for all the rest of us. While I dont think visitors are the main rule violators, there are enough to cause the rest of us problems... and each search takes time off the precious visit.

bellie · #16 08-03-2011, 05:52 AM

The annoying part is not being told what's happening. If they had said to me upfront he are randomly searching I would have been less worried. But the fact I was banned for an issue that never happened and was proven that way made me worried. It did make me this gosh I have a lot of junk in my bag and wallet!!! I almost wished I had asked to clean it out while they were searching!!!

I also wasn't impressed with the questioning and subsequent demonstration of the original ban.