ISSUE NO. 10
May 2025
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Letters

“Remotely” Frustrating

By
Jeffery

Jeffery writes from Woodford Correctional Centre in Queensland.

Willy Pleasance

I am new to the prison system and am a little over the age of retirement.

One particular issue that frustrates, not only the elderly but all (most) of the inmates here at Woodfood Correctional Centre (W.C.C), is that we are not permitted to possess TV remote controls. It defies fairness and equality that other QLD prisons (and their inmates) have an entitlement to have remote controls for their 450mm (18 inches) TV sets.

Consideration of the following points by the prison management of W.C.C could be that:

  1. Other prisons allow remotes;
  2. Increases in inmate numbers justify a little increase in cell-sharing comfort;
  3. A lot of prisoners are either:
    • On remand;
    • Low classification;
    • Are awaiting release: pending bail, parole or the like;
    • A number of disabled inmates with physical or mental problems.
  4. W.C.C can apply privilege and/or entitlement in relation to inmates’ behaviour and/or classification; and
  5. Inmates incur the costs.

P.A.C. (Prisoner Advisor Committee) meetings between the prisoner representatives and prison management representatives have been unproductive for the past year about this.

All we are asking for is a basic improvement to our living conditions and a definite morale booster for deserving inmates.

Note: without remotes, certain functions are wasted/not available.

Yours sincerely,

Jeffery

I am new to the prison system and am a little over the age of retirement.

One particular issue that frustrates, not only the elderly but all (most) of the inmates here at Woodfood Correctional Centre (W.C.C), is that we are not permitted to possess TV remote controls. It defies fairness and equality that other QLD prisons (and their inmates) have an entitlement to have remote controls for their 450mm (18 inches) TV sets.

Consideration of the following points by the prison management of W.C.C could be that:

  1. Other prisons allow remotes;
  2. Increases in inmate numbers justify a little increase in cell-sharing comfort;
  3. A lot of prisoners are either:
    • On remand;
    • Low classification;
    • Are awaiting release: pending bail, parole or the like;
    • A number of disabled inmates with physical or mental problems.
  4. W.C.C can apply privilege and/or entitlement in relation to inmates’ behaviour and/or classification; and
  5. Inmates incur the costs.

P.A.C. (Prisoner Advisor Committee) meetings between the prisoner representatives and prison management representatives have been unproductive for the past year about this.

All we are asking for is a basic improvement to our living conditions and a definite morale booster for deserving inmates.

Note: without remotes, certain functions are wasted/not available.

Yours sincerely,

Jeffery

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Here at MCC we are limited to weight bags and medicine balls. We cannot purchase creatine or protein powders, training gloves or any other essential items that other prisoners at other centres can purchase.

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I just want to get back to my home state WA so I can do my time with my family support where I’m happy and have all my supports.

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Discovering Buddhism in Prison

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Buddhism teaches that pain is a part of being human, not a failure. Thoughts are not who you are, change is always possible because nothing is permanent. There is beauty in the idea that peace isn’t something you chase, it’s something you uncover when you stop clinging.

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Welcome to About Time

About Time is the national newspaper for Australian prisons and detention facilities

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