Hi Friends,
International Prisoners Justice Day (IPJD) will be celebrated on Sunday
August 12, at 10am outside the Metropolitan Reception and Remand Centre
(the largest jail in Australasia) and Mulawa Womens Jail, Holker St,
Silverwater, NSW, Australia. Visitors will be greeted with balloons and
gifts for the children.
International Prisoners Justice Day, August 10, marks the anniversary of
the death of Eddie Nolan. Eddie bled to death in solitary confinement in
Millhaven Penitentiary, Ontario, Canada in 1974 after guards deactivated
his emergency call button. The following year, Howie Brown, Eddie's cell
neighbour initiated a strike and fast in memory of this failure of the
justice system.
The day is set aside to honour the memory of those who have died unnatural
deaths in prison, and to express solidarity with the millions of people in
cages who are daily being dehumanized by this archaic justice system.
"Community Access" has been adopted as our theme this year. Prison
authorities increasingly block the ability of families and outside groups
to consult within the jails. They further isolate prisoners by placing
severe restrictions on all means of communication and harrass visitors to
discourage their support. Using the excuses of "security" or "drug entry"
they try to exclude any external involvement that limits their power. One
of our workers was recently convicted of "unlawfully attempting to
communicate with prisoners" on a pre-arranged visit, when he tried to raise
drug law reform.
Goodwill concerts with outside performers to go into jail for IPJD day have
been organised and then rejected by prison authorities in the past.
Social interaction and unhindered communications are vital to the health
and development of prisoners, and their eventual resettlement. It helps
create a safer life for everyone.
We demand:
* open and accessible jails. Prison walls aren't to exclude the community.
* encouragement of families and community support groups. Community groups
across the board must have opportunities for discussions, workshops and
social events inside the jails. Prisoners must have their rights respected
to be involved with political/social events outside.
* the right to privacy
* no restrictions on mail. Free postage and envelopes. An end to
censorship and "lost"mail.
* no restrictions or time limits on phone calls. Costs to be related to
prison wages. A review of the Arunta phone system.
* No strip searches of visitors or prisoners following contact visits.
Visiting rights should not be tied to classification or seen as a privilege.
* Introduction of all-day visits for families, including inter-jail
families without restriction.
--
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