The latest from Darwin Prison

Abridged transcript of Stuart’s comments by telephone to Rob Inder-Smith
Thursday, November 17, 2005

12.10pm

I’ve just had a hearing here, I was found guilty of two infractions of the rules: (One) I refused to return to the block. I didn’t like it . . . (there was) too much noise and overcrowding. (Infraction two:) I didn’t come to the office, B Block, after being called over the loud speaker. I was playing chess at the time. I’m not used to listening to the PA system and the sound wasn’t clear. I was playing (chess) with another prisoner and he beat me in the game before in a few moves. I thought, ‘This is embarrassing’. I was concentrating on the game and didn’t hear my name (called).

For the first offence, I got two days’ loss of privileges.

I have three days to appeal the (other infraction), refusing to attend the office after being called. With the first, I’d waited two-and-half weeks. I couldn’t cope. It was noisy and I wanted a cell on my own. Some people like sharing a cell. But I don’t smoke and it’s noisy and you’re there from three in the afternoon . . . I said, ‘well why don’t you get more cells?’, and they say ‘(we would) if we had more money’. They admitted there are not enough cells. But they have to provide for (our) human rights. Just because we are prisoners, we still have human rights.

I’ve been here 30 days. Gaz and I have already served two days from the (sixth smoke-in) . . . just because I pleaded not guilty. I’ll be getting out on January 17. I spoke to Legal Aid . . . an American, Mark . . . who said he had sent me a letter. I haven’t had a letter (from Legal Aid) so far. Gaz has been great. So has Nilva. Gaz has sent me 10 letters. You get (mail) at the morning muster or mid-morning. I went for an interview for classification assessment and I’m staying in maximum security.

It’s not too bad for the moment, there’s only 12 others in this section. We’re herded into the lunch room at 12 o’clock while a big burly prison officer stands in the doorway watching . . . us eat our sandwiches and apple. I don’t like to rush. Some prisoners chuck their apple and half their lunch in the bin . . . I’m always the last one to finish (eating). The prisoners don’t like (me eating slowly) because they want to get back out to the yard. At least I’m not eating as much here as I did outside . . . I was eating too much . . . I hope to God you and Gaz don’t end up here.

This place ruins lives . . . people are suffering . . . they lose their human rights and self-respect. (Plutocrats) talk about being tough on crime and tough on drugs. Maybe (when I get out) we could occupy the offices of (our governors).