Hi, my name’s Cooky, I’m from the Victorian prison system, I’ve spent 12 years in prison, this new year.
Throughout my prison sentence, the only consistent thing has been my training – the rest has been a rollercoaster.
I feel I’ve been subjected to unfair and unequal decisions in my time here. I have come to the unfortunate realisation that I must empower myself.
Having been encouraged by your 11th edition prison newspaper, regarding a 'judicial review' process, I have learned and gained immeasurably, familiarising myself with processes otherwise unknown by the majority of inmates in the Victorian prison system.
For example, inmates in Victoria can handwrite or type then send legal emails, via the 'Prison Admin', like faxes, to any legal organisation nationwide. You can also make requests to the 'Victorian Legal Aid Library' (library@vla.vic.gov.au) and request up to 10 legal documents per fortnight. Such as legal precedents – case transcripts, legislation – Corrections Act 1986, Regulations 2019 or Human rights – the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006)
Don’t be a victim or a product of the system by allowing it to beat you and hold you down.
Be a product that succeeds and conquers his battles against the oppressive nature of this system.
Find fulfilment and empower yourself to overcome whatever obstacles that you may face as a prisoner; odds being already stacked against the average or ordinary inmate. Be above-average and be extraordinary! Train your body, mind and soul, by lending them to as many relevant activities you can manage.
Remember that your body and mind respond to stress, through exercises – sets and repetitions. So, whatever you subject and expose your mind and body to, it will always, naturally increase its capacity load, to accommodate more and better.
For physical: Lift, Stretch, Cardio, Boxing, do it all...
For mental: Listen, Learn, Read and Create...
For spiritual: Pray, give to charity, do kind deeds and always think positive thoughts...
I’ve used training as a key stimulant throughout my time in prison, never having had more than two weeks off in a rest period and rarely having such rest periods, period. It has kept me sane, it has kept me safe, and I’ve found very profound wisdom in the disciplinary nature of routine and structure it consists of and relies on.
Without structure of anything, you have disorder and without routine you wonder aimlessly and achieve wasted time, with minimal benefit.
Conquer your battles through personal fulfilment and empowerment. Use what you apply and how you occupy your time to overcome what is most worrying you.
