SUPERMAX : Past and Present
Wednesday 24 October 2007
SydneyUniversityLawSchool
Port Arthur, Norfolk Island, Jika Jika, Goulbourn - in the long and dark history of Australian corrections names like these are associated with prisons where the "worst of the worst" of the nation's criminals have been housed. In association with the publication of the latest addition to the Institute of Criminology Series, Imprisoning Resistance - Life andDeath in an Australian Supermax by Bree Carlton, the Institute of Criminology is pleased to announce a public seminar on the Supermax: Past and Present.
Speakers:
Carol Berry Health Solicitor, Public Interest Advocacy Centre
Carol's research into supermax prisons focuses on a number of issues, such as the prevalence of mental illness in prison, the quality of treatment currently available for the mentally ill in prison, and the status of "forensic patients", who are generally those found not guilty on the grounds of mental illness within the corrections system.
Michael Walton NSW Council for Civil Liberties
Michael is the author of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties' recent Shadow Report to the UN Committee against Torture. The Shadow Report recommended that the Special Rapporteur on Torture visit the High Risk Management Unit at Goulburn to investigate recurring complaints of cruel, inhuman ordegrading treatment or punishment.
Bernie Matthews Author of Intractable
Bernie Matthews is a convicted bank robber and prison escapee who has served timefor armed robbery and prison escapes in NSW (1969-1980) and Queensland (1996-2000).During his period of incarceration Bernie Matthews studied journalism. He is theauthor of the award winning stories The Crime and Prison Movie Genre Showcase OnlyRare True Success and Abuse Within Prisons makes Prisoners More Violent UponRelease.In 2004 Bernie became the first Australian ex-prisoner/freelance journalist to be short-listed for three awards in the 2004 Queensland Media Awards. He won two of those awards.
Commentator
Professor David Brown teaches criminal justice courses at the University of New South Wales, Faculty of Law. He has written extensively on prisons and criminal law.
Date: Wednesday 24 October 2007
Time: 5.30pm - 7.00 pm
Venue: Minter Ellison Conference Room, Level 13, SydneyUniversityLawSchool, 173-175 Phillip Street, Sydney
Registration Fee: $20 waged/$10 concession (students and pensioners);free to Institute of Criminology Members
Contact: Rachel Miller 02 9351 0239
Registration Form at:
Institute Membership information: