NCJ Number
63335
Date Published
1976
Length
33 pages
Annotation
THIS CRITIQUE OF THE AUSTALIAN PENAL SYSTEM, WRITTEN BY INMATES OF FREMANTLE PRISON IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA, CONTAINS DETAILED COMPLAINTS ABOUT LIFE AT THE INSTITUTION.
Abstract
INMATES CHARACTERIZE THEIR INSTITUTION AS A PLACE OF PUNISHMENT THAT EMPHASIZES DEPRIVATION OF NORMAL LIVING PATTERNS WHICH RESULT IN THE LOSS OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND DIGNITY. IN THIS PERVERSE CLIMATE, THERE IS NO ROOM FOR INDIVIDUAL STYLE OR IDIOSYNCRASY. ACQUIRING A READING LIGHT, USING THE TELEPHONE, OR GETTING AN ASPIRIN REQUIRES PERMISSION. VISITING RESTRICTIONS ALIENATE PRISONERS, ESPECIALLY MARRIED MEN, FROM THEIR FAMILIES. THE VISITORS' FACILITY IS AN UNHEATED SHED AND THE VISITING TIME 30 MINUTES PER WEEK. MOREOVER, CENSORSHIP OF THE MAIL IS AN INSTITUTIONAL PRACTICE. BECAUSE PRISONERS DISTRUST THEIR SUPERVISOR, DISCIPLINE IS MAINTAINED BY THREATS OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT. IF REGULATIONS ARE BREACHED THE PRISONER HAS NO REPRESENTATION TO INSURE A FAIR HEARING, AND PAROLE BOARDS ARE VIEWED AS ARBITRARY AND AUTONOMOUS. A PRISONER MAY NOT REVIEW HIS OWN RECORDS, THOUGH AN ERROR MIGHT MEAN FURTHER UNDESERVED LOSS OF FREEDOM. INMATES ALSO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS POLICY OF IMPRISONING MENTALLY ILL PERSONS AT FREMANTLE PRISON. PRISONERS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN REHABILITATION PROGRAMS, TRANSFER THEIR PRIVATE FUNDS TO OUTSIDE PARTIES WITHOUT PERMISSION, OBTAIN MINOR MEDICAL TREATMENT DURING THE EVENINGS, AND ENGAGE IN SOCIAL CONTACT WITH MEMBERS OF SOCIETY. (MRK)