Prison Talk - Intro--Vonda from Australia

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Intro--Vonda from Australia

Hi! I'm currently writing a crime novel, and I need some first hand info and experiences about prison life in women's centres in Victoria - preferably the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre in Deer Park. I almost feel like an imposter on this site, and hope nobody minds me using it, but the sort of thing I need can't be found on any other site. The thing I would most like to know is - do prisoners have access to the internet? I think that officially they don't, but I would like to know if there is any way around it? Problem is, my main character is on her way inside, and if she can't make contact with the outside world online, then I'm going to have to rethink it. Can anybody help me.

Hi Vonda
Welcome to PTO, from one aussie to another :D

No, they dont have the internet in prisons. I can answer some of your questions, and I have posted some prison information on ALL the prisons in Australia and New Zealand in the Australia Prison profiles section. Feel free to post in there, and hopefully you may get some answers.
Good luck with your crime novel, and I hope you get some answers you need. Any questions, feel free to PM me.

Kyla

I am relatively new here and am here mainly to educate myself.
Do you have any ideas how the prisons and the penal/justice system in Australia and New Zealand compare to those in Canada and the US?
You can pm if you wish.
Any information would be appreciated.

Titantoo

In reply to your questions

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vonda

Hi Vonda. In reply to your questions. No. Officially prisoners do not have access to the internet in Australian maximum and medium facilities.They can obtain access if confined in minimum or open security facilities when they have day leaves etc. Deer park is a maximum security facility that replaced the old Fairlea Women's prison in Victoria after there was a fire during the 1990s. I think deer park is privately run by ACM or some similar company. You may get info by looking them up on the web. I do not know if the Victorian Prisoners Action Group is still in existence because they may be able to help you. The Fitzroy Community Legal Centre is a good point of contact for you to obtain info about prisons etc too. Contact the Victorian Dept of Corrective Services and explain what you are doing and see if they can help in any way. Check out Justice Action in Sydney because Brett Collins who runs JA may have some Victorian contacts that can assist you. Having said all that, prisoners may be able to obtain clandestine internet access if they can get a mobile phone smuggled into the prison. Hope this info helps you. cheers Oz ex-prisoner

Many thanks for the suggestions.

Female inmates in NSW do not have access to the internet or mobile phones. I assume Vic and Qld have the same policies.

Welcome to PTO!

Deb

Welcome to PTO!!!!!

You founda great site filled with great people! My name is Jay... feel free to PM me anytime!

Hi Vonda from another Aussie.

Come on down to the Ausiralia forum- there is a lot of info down there that may help you.

Glad you found PTO- it really is wonderful site full of information and great people.

Hi Vonda

Welcome to the PTO family :)

I'm glad you found us, you'll find a lot of information and caring people here.

All my best wishes and good luck with your novel.

Philippe :wave:

Hi there, Welcome to PTO :D I hope to see ya around!

:wave: Hello, welcome to PTO.
Love, Sheila