Australia's Guantanamo
Jane Nethercote | 01.08.2006 22:54 | Analysis | Repression | Social Struggles | World
Have the 13 Muslim men arrested under Australia's new anti-terror laws been subjected to Guantanamo Bay-style conditions? It's an allegation being made by Civil Rights Defence
Barwon Prison
Have the 13 Muslim men arrested under Australia's new anti-terror laws been subjected to Guantanamo Bay-style conditions? It's an allegation being made by Civil Rights Defence 
http://www.civilrightsdefence.org/?cat=1
Journalist and Larvatus Prodeo blogger, Katherine Wilson, decided to go and check out the allegations for herself (for the story in full, click here http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/07/30/guantanamo-in-australia/
After all, she says, "it's always tempting to suspect these sorts of complaints are cooked up to secure a sympathy vote".
On the face of it, the allegation seems "pretty overblown", writes Wilson, "so in April, I joined a group of people for a trip to Victoria's Barwon Prison, near Geelong, to learn more. We met some women who'd come to support their husbands and sons: the same men facing trial now. I was pretty concerned by what these women claimed." She continues:
There was a limit to what they could say, because provisions in the new terror laws limit free speech. They were evidently nervous about saying much. But they did claim their sons and husbands are kept in Barwon's maximum security Acacia unit, in isolation for up to 18 hours a day, shackled. The men allegedly see no natural light. The women claimed the men are given no basic needs (such as a prayer mat). They are allegedly given their 3 daily meals within a 6-hour period, and go to bed “very hungry”.
One wife, Eman Abdou, said the men had their cells raided by 11 officers and two dogs, and were brought out in the early morning to be strip-searched in cold cells, with arms shackled to their waist and feet to go to court. It was claimed the men are put into noisy, over-airconditioned vans to be transported to court in uncomfortable positions (more than an hour travel), and by the time they arrive they are shivering and addled.
Abdou said she's allowed one non-contact (through glass) visit with her husband a week. The men can't hug their children, and most of them have allegedly lost weight and are sick and malnourished.
It was also claimed at the that these men, wearing red suits reminiscent of the fashion at Guantanamo, must participate in other Guantanamo-style conventions.
The allegations, if correct, are pretty troubling, particularly the claim that the men are in isolation for 18 hours a day and shackled. We contacted Corrections Victoria for their response to the list of allegations. A spokesperson came back with this one liner: "Conditions are tough but humane, with the prisoners able to engage in religious observance."
Not particularly enlightening, although the statement is most telling for what it doesn't say – it denies none of the allegations. And it raises some questions. Are other prisoners at Barwon subjected to the same "tough but humane treatment" doled out to suspected terrorists? And given that the men haven't yet been tried (hearings begin this week), shouldn't they be given a higher standard of care rather than a lesser one?
Their rights with regard to detainment should be the same as for other prisoners, says Peter Kemp, Associate to Sam Hegney Solicitors – "treatment in a prison has nothing to do with sentencing nor the alleged crime". However, with the authorities, "including State governments, hell bent on proving to constituents how tough they are on terrorism, you can be sure that corners are being cut." The problem, he says, "is that such alleged abuses are terribly hard to prove".
Related:
Scapegoat List:
Major Michael Mori writes re David Hicks
The US Supreme Court has ruled the special Guantanamo trials illegal. An acceptable solution from the Americans is likely years away and our Government has run out of excuses not to act. Nearly 40,000 Australians have put their name to the Open Letter calling for David Hicks to be repatriated. I hope you'll join us now by clicking on the link:
http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/DefendAustralianRights
International Protest Day calls for the end of Guantánamo Bay
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/17099
Judges weigh 'Joseph Thomas's' appeal! Get your facts right!
What would she have imposed for stealing a passport?
http://newswire.indymedia.org/en/2006/07/843328.shtml
Joseph Thomas conviction immoral
AN EMBARRASSING conviction based on TORTURE IMMORAL
http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/07/117441.php
Standardising terrorism in the prison population?
Try giving us hope, access to our communities, a sense of caring by the outside community. And letting us out to make restitution instead of building festering anger.
http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/07/117580.php
Scapegoats accused 'exploited' by guberment prostitutor
The rest of the prisoners had to stay in jail in AA maximum security segregted with no contact with human people in a box within a box with no fresh air or sunlight with the worst of the worst offenders.
http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/07/117553.php
Jury indicated it could not reach a verdict, but was ordered to push on?
These charges were that he collected maps of the Australian electricity supply system in preparation of a terrorist act (15 years), BUT WITH NO DETAILS ABOUT THE PREPARATION ACCEPT MATERIAL TO SUPPORT THOUGHT CRIME? that he sought information on chemical prices for the use of explosives for a terrorist act (life), BUT NO SOUND EVIDENCE ABOUT WHETHER THE CHEMICALS WERE GOING TO BE PURCHASED OR USED FOR THE USE OF EXPLOSIVES OR A TERRORIST ACT and that he possessed a document with information on the manufacture of poisons and bombs in preparation for a terrorist act (15 years). THAT HE LIKE MANY OTHERS MAY HAVE DOWNLOADED FROM THE INTERNET WHICH IS NOT ILLEGAL USUALLY?
http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/06/115129.php
A dangerous precedent: Australian man convicted of “preparing terrorism”
Since 2001, the government has seized upon the “war” declared by US President George Bush for both domestic and international purposes. Under the guise of combating terrorism it has participated in the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, diverted attention from mounting economic and social problems at home and legitimised previously unthinkable police state-style measures, including semi-secret trials, “preventative” detention and the ability to impose life sentences without any evidence of an actual terrorist act.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/16401
Secret evidence used in Australian “terrorist” trial
Lodhi was bundled into the court building in shackles, in full view of the media. The display was intended to convey the impression that he is a violent and highly dangerous individual. Like several other Muslim men charged with terrorist offences in Australia over the past year, Lodhi has been denied bail and held in virtual solitary confinement in a “super max” prison, cut off from family and friends. Under state and federal “counter-terrorism” laws, the traditional presumption in favour of bail has been scrapped. It will only be granted in “exceptional circumstances”. On receiving a confidential affidavit from the Commonwealth, Magistrate Michael Price imposed a number of secrecy orders despite vigorous objections by lawyers for Lodhi and by media organisations. The orders mean that the affidavit itself will remain suppressed, and the media is barred from disclosing even the general nature of the material relied upon in it.
http://www.indymedia.org/en/2004/12/866066.shtml
Merry Christmas Mr Kent and Mr Haddara
After and ASIO fishing expedition they were charged last month with knowingly belonging to a Melbourne-based terrorist group, that did not exist.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9799
ASIO raid family home
This is an assault on civil liberties, for all Australians - on the eve of Human Rights Day 2005 that marks the day in 1948, that the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Shame hoWARd shame on you!
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9706
Tight security impedes scapegoat case
Indymedia has learnt this includes a bank account his supporters say was set up to fund legal representation for Muslims facing any kind of legal action. The prosecution is understood to allege the money was intended for terrorist purposes.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9693
Some evidence is prejudicial to national insecurity
It has been previously reported that he is facing nine charges and is accused of planning a major terrorist attack on Sydney defence sites and the electricity grid using downloads off the internet and having 100 rolls of toilet paper to wipe his arse after low level bombs and farts. Shit!
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9682
Terrorism suspects' custody conditions 'inhumane'
"This treatment is very cruel and inhumane and what I've put forward to the Premier Morris Iemma to intervene and put an end to this scandal," he said.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9657
DPP should lose the plot!
Now why would the DPP do that? Based on some notion I suppose, that john hoWARd (the hangman) wants to use Thomas's butt again, to raise the fear stakes in the introduction of the new Anti-Liberty-Dissent Directives!
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9617
Things and places identified
He said Mulahalilovic worked as a handyman, lived with his wife, parents and brother and, with the help of family members, could provide around $1 million security to ensure his freedom until trial.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9423
Dangerous handyman terror threat?
But the only mother of SATAN here is John HoWARd and his new Ant-Terrorism Bill!
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9418
Terror suspects 'kept in dark'
"They're all kept in solitary confinement, they're kept in Guantanamo Bay style conditions and they're very oppressive," he said.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9413
What are the dangerous chemicals police found when they went fishing?
If police say they were making bombs when they were painting motor vehicles then the only terrorist act that wasn't prevented was when police went on a fishing expedition.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9395
Man shot by police in fishing raids
But there is no such thing as an independent investigation team in NSW because police investigate themselves and cannot be relied upon ever.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9392
ASIO fishing expedition makes arrests
Are you satisfied truthseeker? Well I'm not this is just another public relations exercise that no one can prove. But trust us we know best?
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9384
hoWARd, ruddock, ellison, keelty and news ltd plotted chaos
Now they go on in the article to describe themselves as intelligence officials? But I'm sorry to say that any group of people who ask another group of people to believe what they believe based on no evidence is amongst the most unintelligent and lost group of people the world has ever known.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/8663
Houses raided over 'possible' political attack plans?
"Furthermore, nothing is reasonable about a raid on people's homes because for an alleged possibility. For those sorts of enquiries one should approach a 'soothsayer' and if you get the all clear only then should they approach people via the front door with the appropriate warrant to search one's home. A warrant based on concrete evidence that has been filtered by a juge or magistrate of the court to see whether the material is frivolous or vexatious."
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/8659
If he'd been given his passport he'd be a free man
During his trial Mr Mallah's defence counsel said he was only trying to sustain the media spotlight when he sold details of his plans to an undercover officer posing as a journalist.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/8192
Melbourne man charged over ASIO links
Apparently this victim will appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court later today and hopefully he won't be sent to the nearest "AA" Super-max prison for "social isolation" just in case ASIO aren't telling us the truth!
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display/7545/index.php
Australian prisoners' linked to Bin Laden: Ten News
Hatzistergos: "For example, because of a perceived risk that they may engage in, or incite other persons to engage in, terrorist activities."
Terrorist prisoners held in a "box within a box" with no "fresh air or sunlight" at Goulburn HRMU may incite alleged terrorists in Long Bay to blow up Long Bay Prison's Twin Towers?
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/liverpool/2004/11/300344.html
Andrew Sullivan and the Tortued Truth
Mr. Habib said he was taken to a room with hooks on the wall and a barrel, set sideways like a roller, on the floor. His arms were stretched out, he said, and each wrist was handcuffed and fastened to a hook on the wall. By his description, the only way not to be left hanging was to stand on the barrel; an electric wire ran through it. Mr. Habib said he believed the interrogators in that room were Pakistani.
Mr. Habib said that when he refused to confess to being part of a 1995 terror plot, one man turned on the current. He lifted his feet to avoid the shock, he recalled, and he was suspended from the wall.
"I lost everything," he said.
http://bodyandsoul.typepad.com/blog/2005/02/theres_been_a_s.html
Corrective Services: Two sides of the coin
During all of this year I never imagined that my freedom of choice to become closely involved in David’s rehabilitation process would cause so much suffering to me and my family and David’s well being while incarcerated. When I started to experience such horrific problems I was constantly treated as another member from the prison community (inmate). There was no respect or any consideration given as an individual of the community I was seen and treated as an inmate all of those years.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/18131
Teen dies in Sydney jail
A 19-year-old man has died in custody at Sydney's Long Bay jail.
http://sydney.indymedia.org/node/37986
Out of sight is out of mind
Australia’s treatment of prisoners is inconsistent with international human rights standards according to the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations. The Committee considered a complaint by Mr Corey Brough, a prisoner in the NSW corrections system. He was only 16 when the events that the complaint was based on took place. Corey is Indigenous and has a mild intellectual disability. The Australian Government must urgently address the standards of treatment of prisoners in Australian gaols.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/12898
Lawyers question juvenile detention centre laws
"Really if a young person has the capacity to make a decision about medical treatment, then they shouldn't be treated without their consent simply because they're in a juvenile detention centre."
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/17328
NSW Mentally ill prisoners badly treated: coroner
Mr Simpson was kept in solitary confinement for the final 26 months of his life, and the Coroner recommended that solitary confinement or 'segregation' only be used in the Corrections system in exceptional circumstances, and for limited periods of time.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/17489
A.C.T Drug support reduced - crime to increase
The recent decision not to continue funding the drug users support organisation CAHMA shows an A.C.T government intention to fill the proposed prison. This contradicts the position put by the Attorney General, Simon Corbell in a letter dated 2 June 2006 "that funding for alcohol and drug services is generous.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/17412
Prisoner's year in solitary revealed
"It's counter-productive and inhumane."PAR spokeswoman Vickie Douglas said she had seen a teenage inmate after a stint of solitary confinement at Risdon.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/16994
A.C.T petition/schools not jails
A petition has today been distributed to schools, housing and community groups, calling on members of the Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory to scrap plans to build the Territory's first jail.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/16853
The Sentence: Oz Justice
Bob’s barrister nudged him in the ribs as a signal to stand. The jury had returned with its verdict. Bob anticipated their decision as one would an echo – guilty as charged! The Judge shifted into automatic and delivered the sentence – three years with not less than twelve months to be served for his third offence, possession of marijuana.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/16557
Children (Detention Centres) Amendment Bill 2006
It is important to remember that development of a separate Juvenile Justice system was intended to provide a model that was more focused on rehabilitation than the adult correctional system. As with other recent reforms in the area of juvenile justice this legislation is yet another step towards creating a juvenile justice system that is harsh and dehumanizing.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/14286
Torture UN/OPCAT: 20 ratifications!!
The National Children's and Youth Law Centre, together with Justice Action, are leading a campaign for acknowledgement of the mistreatment of Corey Brough, in the NSW prison system, and further, for systemic reform.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/14126
Con-Census 2006 especially targeting Muslims
"I would expect that we're seeing an increasing proportion of people born overseas so I would expect that that would definitely be a factor," she said.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/18026
Con-Census 2006
Be very alert and alarmed! You can refuse to take part in the upcoming Con-Census. The despotic Howard government is not to be trusted with your personal information. Any informatin you give them can and will be used against you. Like the Australian Nazi Card!
http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/07/117843.php
Con-Census 2006 enables you and others to take positive non-violent action.
Find out more at: http://www.resist.com.au/con-census/
Attorney General Ruddock is Oddball over anti-terrorist laws!Attorney
Attorney General Ruddock attacks different laws.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/17746
http://www.civilrightsdefence.org/?cat=1 Journalist and Larvatus Prodeo blogger, Katherine Wilson, decided to go and check out the allegations for herself (for the story in full, click here
http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/07/30/guantanamo-in-australia/ After all, she says, "it's always tempting to suspect these sorts of complaints are cooked up to secure a sympathy vote".
On the face of it, the allegation seems "pretty overblown", writes Wilson, "so in April, I joined a group of people for a trip to Victoria's Barwon Prison, near Geelong, to learn more. We met some women who'd come to support their husbands and sons: the same men facing trial now. I was pretty concerned by what these women claimed." She continues:
There was a limit to what they could say, because provisions in the new terror laws limit free speech. They were evidently nervous about saying much. But they did claim their sons and husbands are kept in Barwon's maximum security Acacia unit, in isolation for up to 18 hours a day, shackled. The men allegedly see no natural light. The women claimed the men are given no basic needs (such as a prayer mat). They are allegedly given their 3 daily meals within a 6-hour period, and go to bed “very hungry”.
One wife, Eman Abdou, said the men had their cells raided by 11 officers and two dogs, and were brought out in the early morning to be strip-searched in cold cells, with arms shackled to their waist and feet to go to court. It was claimed the men are put into noisy, over-airconditioned vans to be transported to court in uncomfortable positions (more than an hour travel), and by the time they arrive they are shivering and addled.
Abdou said she's allowed one non-contact (through glass) visit with her husband a week. The men can't hug their children, and most of them have allegedly lost weight and are sick and malnourished.
It was also claimed at the that these men, wearing red suits reminiscent of the fashion at Guantanamo, must participate in other Guantanamo-style conventions.
The allegations, if correct, are pretty troubling, particularly the claim that the men are in isolation for 18 hours a day and shackled. We contacted Corrections Victoria for their response to the list of allegations. A spokesperson came back with this one liner: "Conditions are tough but humane, with the prisoners able to engage in religious observance."
Not particularly enlightening, although the statement is most telling for what it doesn't say – it denies none of the allegations. And it raises some questions. Are other prisoners at Barwon subjected to the same "tough but humane treatment" doled out to suspected terrorists? And given that the men haven't yet been tried (hearings begin this week), shouldn't they be given a higher standard of care rather than a lesser one?
Their rights with regard to detainment should be the same as for other prisoners, says Peter Kemp, Associate to Sam Hegney Solicitors – "treatment in a prison has nothing to do with sentencing nor the alleged crime". However, with the authorities, "including State governments, hell bent on proving to constituents how tough they are on terrorism, you can be sure that corners are being cut." The problem, he says, "is that such alleged abuses are terribly hard to prove".
Related:
Scapegoat List:
Major Michael Mori writes re David Hicks
The US Supreme Court has ruled the special Guantanamo trials illegal. An acceptable solution from the Americans is likely years away and our Government has run out of excuses not to act. Nearly 40,000 Australians have put their name to the Open Letter calling for David Hicks to be repatriated. I hope you'll join us now by clicking on the link:
http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/DefendAustralianRights International Protest Day calls for the end of Guantánamo Bay
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/17099 Judges weigh 'Joseph Thomas's' appeal! Get your facts right!
What would she have imposed for stealing a passport?
http://newswire.indymedia.org/en/2006/07/843328.shtml Joseph Thomas conviction immoral
AN EMBARRASSING conviction based on TORTURE IMMORAL
http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/07/117441.php Standardising terrorism in the prison population?
Try giving us hope, access to our communities, a sense of caring by the outside community. And letting us out to make restitution instead of building festering anger.
http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/07/117580.php Scapegoats accused 'exploited' by guberment prostitutor
The rest of the prisoners had to stay in jail in AA maximum security segregted with no contact with human people in a box within a box with no fresh air or sunlight with the worst of the worst offenders.
http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/07/117553.php Jury indicated it could not reach a verdict, but was ordered to push on?
These charges were that he collected maps of the Australian electricity supply system in preparation of a terrorist act (15 years), BUT WITH NO DETAILS ABOUT THE PREPARATION ACCEPT MATERIAL TO SUPPORT THOUGHT CRIME? that he sought information on chemical prices for the use of explosives for a terrorist act (life), BUT NO SOUND EVIDENCE ABOUT WHETHER THE CHEMICALS WERE GOING TO BE PURCHASED OR USED FOR THE USE OF EXPLOSIVES OR A TERRORIST ACT and that he possessed a document with information on the manufacture of poisons and bombs in preparation for a terrorist act (15 years). THAT HE LIKE MANY OTHERS MAY HAVE DOWNLOADED FROM THE INTERNET WHICH IS NOT ILLEGAL USUALLY?
http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/06/115129.php A dangerous precedent: Australian man convicted of “preparing terrorism”
Since 2001, the government has seized upon the “war” declared by US President George Bush for both domestic and international purposes. Under the guise of combating terrorism it has participated in the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, diverted attention from mounting economic and social problems at home and legitimised previously unthinkable police state-style measures, including semi-secret trials, “preventative” detention and the ability to impose life sentences without any evidence of an actual terrorist act.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/16401 Secret evidence used in Australian “terrorist” trial
Lodhi was bundled into the court building in shackles, in full view of the media. The display was intended to convey the impression that he is a violent and highly dangerous individual. Like several other Muslim men charged with terrorist offences in Australia over the past year, Lodhi has been denied bail and held in virtual solitary confinement in a “super max” prison, cut off from family and friends. Under state and federal “counter-terrorism” laws, the traditional presumption in favour of bail has been scrapped. It will only be granted in “exceptional circumstances”. On receiving a confidential affidavit from the Commonwealth, Magistrate Michael Price imposed a number of secrecy orders despite vigorous objections by lawyers for Lodhi and by media organisations. The orders mean that the affidavit itself will remain suppressed, and the media is barred from disclosing even the general nature of the material relied upon in it.
http://www.indymedia.org/en/2004/12/866066.shtml Merry Christmas Mr Kent and Mr Haddara
After and ASIO fishing expedition they were charged last month with knowingly belonging to a Melbourne-based terrorist group, that did not exist.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9799 ASIO raid family home
This is an assault on civil liberties, for all Australians - on the eve of Human Rights Day 2005 that marks the day in 1948, that the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Shame hoWARd shame on you!
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9706 Tight security impedes scapegoat case
Indymedia has learnt this includes a bank account his supporters say was set up to fund legal representation for Muslims facing any kind of legal action. The prosecution is understood to allege the money was intended for terrorist purposes.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9693 Some evidence is prejudicial to national insecurity
It has been previously reported that he is facing nine charges and is accused of planning a major terrorist attack on Sydney defence sites and the electricity grid using downloads off the internet and having 100 rolls of toilet paper to wipe his arse after low level bombs and farts. Shit!
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9682 Terrorism suspects' custody conditions 'inhumane'
"This treatment is very cruel and inhumane and what I've put forward to the Premier Morris Iemma to intervene and put an end to this scandal," he said.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9657 DPP should lose the plot!
Now why would the DPP do that? Based on some notion I suppose, that john hoWARd (the hangman) wants to use Thomas's butt again, to raise the fear stakes in the introduction of the new Anti-Liberty-Dissent Directives!
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9617 Things and places identified
He said Mulahalilovic worked as a handyman, lived with his wife, parents and brother and, with the help of family members, could provide around $1 million security to ensure his freedom until trial.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9423 Dangerous handyman terror threat?
But the only mother of SATAN here is John HoWARd and his new Ant-Terrorism Bill!
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9418 Terror suspects 'kept in dark'
"They're all kept in solitary confinement, they're kept in Guantanamo Bay style conditions and they're very oppressive," he said.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9413 What are the dangerous chemicals police found when they went fishing?
If police say they were making bombs when they were painting motor vehicles then the only terrorist act that wasn't prevented was when police went on a fishing expedition.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9395 Man shot by police in fishing raids
But there is no such thing as an independent investigation team in NSW because police investigate themselves and cannot be relied upon ever.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9392 ASIO fishing expedition makes arrests
Are you satisfied truthseeker? Well I'm not this is just another public relations exercise that no one can prove. But trust us we know best?
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/9384 hoWARd, ruddock, ellison, keelty and news ltd plotted chaos
Now they go on in the article to describe themselves as intelligence officials? But I'm sorry to say that any group of people who ask another group of people to believe what they believe based on no evidence is amongst the most unintelligent and lost group of people the world has ever known.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/8663 Houses raided over 'possible' political attack plans?
"Furthermore, nothing is reasonable about a raid on people's homes because for an alleged possibility. For those sorts of enquiries one should approach a 'soothsayer' and if you get the all clear only then should they approach people via the front door with the appropriate warrant to search one's home. A warrant based on concrete evidence that has been filtered by a juge or magistrate of the court to see whether the material is frivolous or vexatious."
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/8659 If he'd been given his passport he'd be a free man
During his trial Mr Mallah's defence counsel said he was only trying to sustain the media spotlight when he sold details of his plans to an undercover officer posing as a journalist.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/8192 Melbourne man charged over ASIO links
Apparently this victim will appear before the Melbourne Magistrates Court later today and hopefully he won't be sent to the nearest "AA" Super-max prison for "social isolation" just in case ASIO aren't telling us the truth!
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display/7545/index.php Australian prisoners' linked to Bin Laden: Ten News
Hatzistergos: "For example, because of a perceived risk that they may engage in, or incite other persons to engage in, terrorist activities."
Terrorist prisoners held in a "box within a box" with no "fresh air or sunlight" at Goulburn HRMU may incite alleged terrorists in Long Bay to blow up Long Bay Prison's Twin Towers?
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/liverpool/2004/11/300344.html Andrew Sullivan and the Tortued Truth
Mr. Habib said he was taken to a room with hooks on the wall and a barrel, set sideways like a roller, on the floor. His arms were stretched out, he said, and each wrist was handcuffed and fastened to a hook on the wall. By his description, the only way not to be left hanging was to stand on the barrel; an electric wire ran through it. Mr. Habib said he believed the interrogators in that room were Pakistani.
Mr. Habib said that when he refused to confess to being part of a 1995 terror plot, one man turned on the current. He lifted his feet to avoid the shock, he recalled, and he was suspended from the wall.
"I lost everything," he said.
http://bodyandsoul.typepad.com/blog/2005/02/theres_been_a_s.html Corrective Services: Two sides of the coin
During all of this year I never imagined that my freedom of choice to become closely involved in David’s rehabilitation process would cause so much suffering to me and my family and David’s well being while incarcerated. When I started to experience such horrific problems I was constantly treated as another member from the prison community (inmate). There was no respect or any consideration given as an individual of the community I was seen and treated as an inmate all of those years.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/18131 Teen dies in Sydney jail
A 19-year-old man has died in custody at Sydney's Long Bay jail.
http://sydney.indymedia.org/node/37986 Out of sight is out of mind
Australia’s treatment of prisoners is inconsistent with international human rights standards according to the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations. The Committee considered a complaint by Mr Corey Brough, a prisoner in the NSW corrections system. He was only 16 when the events that the complaint was based on took place. Corey is Indigenous and has a mild intellectual disability. The Australian Government must urgently address the standards of treatment of prisoners in Australian gaols.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/12898 Lawyers question juvenile detention centre laws
"Really if a young person has the capacity to make a decision about medical treatment, then they shouldn't be treated without their consent simply because they're in a juvenile detention centre."
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/17328 NSW Mentally ill prisoners badly treated: coroner
Mr Simpson was kept in solitary confinement for the final 26 months of his life, and the Coroner recommended that solitary confinement or 'segregation' only be used in the Corrections system in exceptional circumstances, and for limited periods of time.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/17489 A.C.T Drug support reduced - crime to increase
The recent decision not to continue funding the drug users support organisation CAHMA shows an A.C.T government intention to fill the proposed prison. This contradicts the position put by the Attorney General, Simon Corbell in a letter dated 2 June 2006 "that funding for alcohol and drug services is generous.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/17412 Prisoner's year in solitary revealed
"It's counter-productive and inhumane."PAR spokeswoman Vickie Douglas said she had seen a teenage inmate after a stint of solitary confinement at Risdon.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/16994 A.C.T petition/schools not jails
A petition has today been distributed to schools, housing and community groups, calling on members of the Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory to scrap plans to build the Territory's first jail.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/16853 The Sentence: Oz Justice
Bob’s barrister nudged him in the ribs as a signal to stand. The jury had returned with its verdict. Bob anticipated their decision as one would an echo – guilty as charged! The Judge shifted into automatic and delivered the sentence – three years with not less than twelve months to be served for his third offence, possession of marijuana.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/16557 Children (Detention Centres) Amendment Bill 2006
It is important to remember that development of a separate Juvenile Justice system was intended to provide a model that was more focused on rehabilitation than the adult correctional system. As with other recent reforms in the area of juvenile justice this legislation is yet another step towards creating a juvenile justice system that is harsh and dehumanizing.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/14286 Torture UN/OPCAT: 20 ratifications!!
The National Children's and Youth Law Centre, together with Justice Action, are leading a campaign for acknowledgement of the mistreatment of Corey Brough, in the NSW prison system, and further, for systemic reform.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/14126 Con-Census 2006 especially targeting Muslims
"I would expect that we're seeing an increasing proportion of people born overseas so I would expect that that would definitely be a factor," she said.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/18026 Con-Census 2006
Be very alert and alarmed! You can refuse to take part in the upcoming Con-Census. The despotic Howard government is not to be trusted with your personal information. Any informatin you give them can and will be used against you. Like the Australian Nazi Card!
http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/07/117843.php Con-Census 2006 enables you and others to take positive non-violent action.
Find out more at:
http://www.resist.com.au/con-census/ Attorney General Ruddock is Oddball over anti-terrorist laws!Attorney
Attorney General Ruddock attacks different laws.
http://adelaide.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/17746
Jane Nethercote
Comments
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A TOTAL ABUSE OF POWER
02.08.2006 19:36
We the prisoners at the High Risk Management Unit at Goulburn Correctional Centre would like to ask you for help in receiving equal treatment and opportunities as other prisoners throughout the system. As we are told that we are not in a segregation unit but we are treated as though we are in one.
Firstly we are being housed in a segregation type environment and yet we are being told that we are not in segregation but we are on normal discipline status, this is in regards to 9 unit and 8 unit of the HRMU. This is totally false, we are not being housed as normal discipline prisoners, but we are being housed as segregation prisoners and in some cases prisoners are being housed in 7 unit which is officially called and used as a segregation and those prisoners are being told that they are not in segregation.
They are telling us that we are on a program" this is merely the legal wording they are using to disguise the fact that we are really being housed as segregation prisoners. The only so called program that is currently operating in the HRMU is not designed to help prisoners better themselves and try to get REHABILITATION and try to move forward, but it has been designed purposely to ensure that prisoners do not move forward to better themselves, and effectively end up staying in segregation for as long as possible and in most cases for years.
The so called program is also designed simply to give correctional staff the power to play God with what little day to day necessities we can actually get within the HRMU.
Basically its designed so that the correctional staff can punish the prisoners and take away what little privileges we have or have been given, without even being charged with any offence or having any other formal disciplinary action taken against them.
So effectively if we are not jumping through hoops for them all day we will be dealt with in an off the record manner. As a result of this it is causing us prisoners in the HRMU a lot of stress and frustration's, anger and the feeling of injustice on a daily basis over the continual deprivation of quite a lot of day to day necessities which normal discipline prisoners have access too, and I have to say unlimited access to it every day.
We all feel that this kind of treatment is purposely designed to push the prisoners over the edge in the hope they will lash out in various unlawful ways so as to give the correctional staff an excuse to take even more things away from the prisoners and keep the prisoners locked away in here even longer.
This is why we are lodging our concerns and grievances to you, because we are trying to get some form of justice, some equal opportunities as normal discipline prisoners (if that is in fact what we are) and we are trying to avoid the inevitable madness we are all heading to under this current regime in the HRMU.
Past history on prisoners has shown that when prisoners are put in segregation environments for lengthy periods of time and subjected to stressful and frustrating living conditions, the results is always the same, the day to day pressures become too much and it is only a matter of time before prisoners end up behaving in violent and anti social ways on a larger scale.
This is what we are trying to avoid, also recent studies has shown that when prisoners are housed in positive, productive, minimal stress environments the prisoners are far more positive and productive and are not walking around all day either stressed, depressed, unhappy and frustrated and the likely hood of prisoners behaving in violent, anti social ways is highly remote.
We cannot understand why a positive approach is not being used with us prisoners of the HRMU and instead we are being forced to live under a highly stressful and frustrating regime.
Given the facts of what past correctional centres history has shown and what recent official prison studies has shown (which we are quite certain then NSW prison officials are fully aware of). We are highly suspicious and convinced about what the correctional staff and their regime is trying to achieve with the prisoners of the HRMU.
Nearly all the prisoners in the HRMU are serving life sentences or sentences around 20 year mark, so it is obvious that the only thing we have to look forward to is trying to live out our lives in prison as positively and productively as possible under as least stress and frustration as possible.
What we do not understand is this? If you take all that away from us, what else do we have to look forward to? This is a question still yet to be answered by anyone.
Since the HRMU was opened in September 2001, there has been at least one prisoner who has attempted to take his life; (possibly more records will show).
There have been numerous incidences of physical altercations between prisoners and correctional staff, and there has been numerous prisoners go on hunger strikes plus there is one prisoner who is continually committing self-harm (records will show).
Some prisoners have smashed their TV, and other electrical's out of total frustration and depression there is constantly verbal altercations between prisoners and correctional staff on an almost daily basis.
Some prisoners are effectively being punished in various ways without there even being any unlawful incidents, charges laid or formal disciplinary action been taken.
This is not the regime of a normal discipline prisoner; in fact this current HRMU regime is not even a standard segregation regime.
The rest of the NSW prison system (normal discipline especially) is not being subjected to this kind of treatment, so why are we being subjected to this kind of treatment? We all strongly feel that this is total discrimination and unfair treatment and abuse of power by the authorities.
We declare that it is affecting the prisoners mentally and physically.
It seems clear to us all that under this HRMU regime we are only heading in one direction a counter productive negative one.
The complaints and grievances in regards to our current living conditions are as follows.
We are unable to get any fresh air in our cells at night through any open window. Instead we have to breathe in stale recycled air from air vents 24 hours a day. No other normal discipline prisoners are being subjected to this.
We are unable to associate together as normal discipline prisoners; the best we can get is to associate with one other prisoner at a time. And were separated into racial groups. This is not normal discipline.
We have no education or teachers permanent or even regular in the HRMU, we think this is very disturbing and appalling. We are being deprived of having unlimited access or even daily access to the phone to ring our friends, family and spouses outside. All other normal discipline prisoners across the state have unlimited access to a phone every day. The H RMU has the facilities to allow prisoners to ring up every day without disturbing the security and good order of the jail, yet they refuse to let us have any more than a few phone calls a week. Obviously the phone is a major part of being able to maintain relationships with loved ones "especially whilst in prison" so why are we being deprived of a major part of our rehabilitation "contact with loved ones?" This is purely and simply a form of punishment and we feel it is most disturbing and appalling.
We are not allowed to have our own electrical items, which we have purchased through the prison activities buy ups. Obviously due to security reasons, which we can understand, ie TV, RADIO, JUG, SANDWICH MAKER, RICE COOKERS, WALKMANS, CD, PLAYERS, FAN. So the HRMU has to compensate for this and supply us with all those things. But there's a catch, they have now turned our daily belongings into a long drawn out mind game, so effectively they can play God with items that are not even an issue to all other normal discipline prisoners unless they have been charged or had disciplinary action taken against them and been taken off amenities, but to the HRMU program it takes us roughly a few months of sitting around in an isolation cell with nothing just to get a jug or a radio and if lucky a TV then we have to wait till we are all the way to the end of the program just to get a sandwich maker that's roughly 12 to 18 months minimal and without a single charge or any formal disciplinary action been taken, it can all be taken away from you instantly if the correctional staff wish to do so.
We have no equipment to cook a hot meal in our cells at night and they wont give us any or let us have our own rice cooker, and Goulburn is a very cold climate correctional centre, yet we are simply unable to cook a hot meal in our cell after 3:pm. We cannot keep warm in our cells at night because the air vent are pumping out cold air all day and night, they wont give us any kind of heating system, this is a breach of human rights. The visits are of very poor quality to say the least, there is only bolt down metal tables and seating with no back support at all and that is what our visitors and us have to sit on for the duration of the visit, without back support our backs become stiff and sore (visitors and prisoners), they do not even supply any activities for the kids, nor do they supply proper beverages for the visitors this is an insult to all the visitors that enter the centre. We have no access to any sort of weight machine or cable weights, and no access to various cardiovascular training equipment, ie boxing bag, focus pads, skipping ropes, touch football. These things are a vital part of our well being as it offers a positive outlet for our excess energy and frustration, and also it is to help us keep fit and healthy, which the majority of us like to do. Doesn't make logical sense for us to be able to release our excess energy and frustration in a positive manner rather than a negative manner? We are unable to purchase on the canteen buy up a lot of the food and items that all the other "normal discipline" prisoners can purchase on the canteen buy up. Fair enough if we can't have food in tin or glass due to security reasons, but why can't we get appropriate substitutes? Because at present our food situation is far from a "normal discipline" standard.
Our limited activities buy up-is not anywhere near a normal discipline standard. And yet most of the items on the normal discipline activities are in no way a risk to the good order and security of the jail. We ask why can't we have a broader range of items like every other normal discipline prisoner.
There are a lot of aboriginal prisoners in the HRMU, all of whom like to do indigenous artwork and paintings as part of their culture and education, yet to this day are still unable to do so.
We cannot get to buy music of our individual liking because 95 per cent of the music we try to buy through the activities buy ups is only available on CD, and not on tape, and we are only allowed to have walkmans which play tapes, and not CD players so this is not normal discipline.
We all strongly believe that the so-called program we are all living under is not a program at all, but cunningly designed tool used to deprive us of a lot of day-to day necessities, used to play mind games in order to cause us maximum stress and frustration, anger and confusion used to stop us moving forward in the so called program at a fair pace, used to give the correctional staff the power to play God over us and take away what little we do have without being charged for anything at all, it is used to keep us in a segregation type environment for an indefinite amount of time. This is not normal discipline, this is unfair treatment, discrimination, and lack of equal opportunity, counter productive, stress, frustration, anger and depression, which only creates and unstable-unacceptable environment. It is unprecedented what is happening to us, as no other normal discipline prisoners are being subjected to this kind of treatment anywhere within the state of NSW and this is a total abuse of power.
We the prisoners of the Goulburn HRMU are stating that this current so called program is not designed in the better interests of our mental and physical well being (short term or long term).
It is designed to give the correctional staff the power to deprive us of basic daily necessities and to play mind games with us and to make a bad thing even worse for us the prisoners.
In short, the treatment of the prisoners here in the HRMU is nothing short of total abuse, miss management and misuse of power by the correctional staff to push the prisoners over the edge so they have to stay here longer and longer under these conditions with no regards to there mental health or well being not even the professional staff here will go against this system, they would rather turn a blind eye to it all to save there own jobs, they spend most of there time sitting with the correctional staff in the officer station when prisoners have been asking to see them for some time so we are not getting any help from no one and things are only going to get worse much worse over time. For an example when the centre was first opened there was only three stages to the so called program but as soon as a group of Aboriginal prisoners came to the centre for allegedly assaulting correctional staff they brought the stages up to 12 stages so our thinking is what's next 100 stages.
We all appreciate you taking the time to read our letter and we hope that it has made good sense and has been perfectly understandable to you. We trust that you will look into these matters fully and do what you can to assist us before things get right out of hand. In interviews the commissioner has stated on a number of occasions that this centre is at this time housing prisoners that are deemed to be the worst of the worst, if this is the case then where are the kid killers, and the paedophiles, and the granny killers that the law states are the lowest of our society? So if that is the case then it is all right for the commissioner to appear on TV and radio and state to our family and friends plus the public that we are the worst of the worst of our society.
We would seriously appreciated if you took time to peruse this matter as well
Yours truly
Prisoners of the HRMU
Goulburn Correctional Centre
Prisoners at the HRMU