I’m writing to you on behalf of myself and fellow prisoners at Albany Regional Prison about our lockdowns and visits/Zooms being cancelled. A lot of us are not from the regional area so getting visits from our loved ones takes time, money and effort for our family to make the trip from Perth to Albany to see us only to get a text msg or email from the prison on the morning of the visit telling them that they are cancelled. A lot of boys are struggling mentally because we are always getting locked in or locked down.

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We have no support here! No mental health officers for prisoners to talk to and it’s hard to get employment within the jail. It’s becoming more and more often that they just lock us down. Then wonder why a lot of positive people with strong mindsets are changing in a negative way!

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We are not sure who to write to or who we can talk to about theses matters. We are hoping someone reads our letter and can point us in the right direction to have our voices heard.

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Prison is meant to help people become better people but at the moment its breaking us all slowly but surely. The prisons have no support. Courses and AOD programs are full and people are sleeping on the floor. Something needs to change.

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Regards,

Prisoners at Albany Regional Prison