The rise of a punitive “law and order” culture in Australia has had a profoundly racial dimension, manifested in soaring rates of indigenous incarceration. Inga Ting continues her special report.
Prisons
Aboriginal crime and punishment: incarceration rates rise under neoliberalism
The number of indigenous prisoners has increased for the 11th year in a row, despite the prisoner population falling for the first time in a decade. Inga Ting reports a history of failed government policy.
The Baillieu Dump: prisoner alcohol tests down, positive drug results up
Alcohol testing of Victorian prisoners has dropped 13% in the past year, and drug testing increased by only 0.2%, despite an increase in positive test results, according to the Department of Justice’s annual report, writes Patrick Bertoli, a Swinburne University journalism student.
Deaths in custody: why are more prisoners dying from ‘natural causes’?
An independent investigation is needed to explain the sharp rise in the number of Australian prison deaths being attributed to “natural causes” and the young ages of those dying. Inga Ting concludes her special investigation into deaths in custody.
Deaths in custody: authorities ignore warnings on hanging points
State governments around the country are not only failing to fulfil their obligation to remove obvious hanging points in police and prison cells, they are also building new prisons that do not meet this safety standard. Inga Ting continues her special investigation into deaths in custody.
Deaths in custody: sweeping changes, but coroners critical of inquiry
Serious questions about the integrity, accountability and independence of death in custody investigations are still being raised by NSW coroners, despite sweeping changes following a Royal Commission, writes Inga Ting.
Deaths in custody: ‘I’m homicidal, I’ve told them that for days’
Careless or inappropriate jail or cell placement has contributed to at least 20 deaths in NSW prison custody in the past decade, according to a Crikey analysis of coronial reports. Inga Ting continues her special investigation.
Deaths in custody: families blocked from warning corrections staff
The troubled relationship between custodial authorities and prisoners’ families has continued to draw criticism at deaths in custody inquests, with numerous coroners finding deaths may have been avoided if family members assisted in care. Inga Ting continues her Crikey investigation.
Deaths in custody: mental health assessments fail suicidal inmates
One quarter of inmates who suicided in NSW prisons in the past nine years did so within days of having been assessed as no longer at risk of self harm or suicide. In her continuing investigation, Inga Ting highlights how health agencies failed inmates.
Deaths in custody: seven tragedies, seven cases of negligence
The tragic 2007 death of mentally ill prisoner Adam Douglas Shipley is just one of seven deaths linked through a chain of negligence, bureaucratic bungling and failed policies. Inga Ting continues her special investigation for Crikey.
Mental health in our jails: inmates, bureaucrats question treatment
Nearly half of all inmates in NSW have a mental illness, but decisions about their care are left in the hands of prison guards with little or no training in mental health. Freelance journalist Inga Ting goes inside to talk to prisoners and staff.
The world’s most humane prison
Flat-screen TVs, minifridges, stainless steel kitchens, music lessons and cooking classes. It isn’t a holiday resort — it’s Norway’s Halden Fengsel Prison.
Deaths in custody: did the Royal Commission get it wrong?
Public knowledge of aboriginal deaths in custody is warped. Aboriginals are less likely than non-Aboriginals to die in custody and being imprisoned actually reduces likelihood of death, writes former head of research into the Royal Commission, David Biles.
revealed 
Inside a secret CIA “torture” prison
ABC News has uncovered the site of one of the CIA’s secret European prisons: inside a fancy-pants horse riding school in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Political snippets: Trouble in paradise for Libs and Nats
The Liberals and Nationals are on the verge of completely breaking down, more Aussies are behind bars, Perth ambulances have been left out in the cold, and a croc on the cover of the NT News? Must be Thursday.
World turns blind eye to North Korea’s labour camp abuse
The 200,000 prisoners in North Korea’s gulag subsist on a diet of corn and salt, live in rags, work 12- to 15-hour days and are regularly beaten and raped. So why aren’t the world’s leaders (or Bono) paying attention?
Madoff hires help to find the comfiest jail
Bernie Madoff has hired a “veteran prison consultant” to help find him the best possible prison in which to serve his 150-year jail term.
Madoff’s life in the clink
A great interview Alan Ellis, lawyer and author of the Federal Prison Guidebook about his surprise at Bernie Madoff’s 150-year sentence — and what happens next.
NT: “Unprecedented budget for unprecedented times”
High school amalgamations road improvements and prison funding gap give mixed results in the NT
‘s “unprecedented” budget.
Splitting hairs to flog off NSW’s prisons
By accepting the NSW Corrective Services portfolio, former NSW Unions secretary John Robertson has taken a poisoned chalice, writes Alex Mitchell.
GEO joins NSW privatised jail race
John Robertson is following in the former Treasurer’s footsteps by implementing the private management of jails in flagrant opposition to NSW Labor Party policy, writes Alex Mitchell.
