Aussie Rules

‘PRISON lies at the very heart of Australian society – it was, after all, the means by which so many of them reached that Ozone-free land.

But prisoners at Port Augusta prison were unhappy with life behind bars. So when the authorities decided against replacing a faulty security system – which would have cost £30,000 – the inmates acted.

News is that some prisoners at the jail have been popping out to see their friends, go to parties and generally have a good time.

And there was little danger of detection since only one guard was assigned to cover the prisoners’ cottages and was often called away for several hours each night.

Correctional Services chief executive officer Peter Severin was unhappy when he found out what had been going on.

‘I make no excuses for it because it is not good enough that people walk away,” he said, ”but in an open security environment you manage in an environment of trust.”

Posted: 12th, July 2004 | In: Strange But True Comment | TrackBack | Permalink