Dear About Time,

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Hi guys! My name is Micky and I’m currently incarcerated in NSW. I’m nearly halfway through an 8 year sentence, but I’ve been in jail for 13 years out of the last 14 and a half years. Not a good run, I know. In all this time, we have so badly needed exactly what ‘About Time’ provides. So many of us incarcerated greatly appreciate the space you guys provide for us all to stay connected, for the sense of community it creates and the information you provide that we otherwise would never have.
So thank you About Time!

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The issue I wish to discuss with everyone is something I’m dealing with personally myself right now and I know for a fact I’m not the only one! NSW Corrective Services have written a policy that allows Centres to refuse contact visits between inmates to any family member(s) who are currently on a community based order. This includes parole, Intensive Correction Orders (ICOs) and Community Correction Orders (CCOs). Most Centres enforce this policy and rarely make exceptions.

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My situation is as follows. My partner of several years was pregnant with our daughter at the time of my offence, unknown by either of us at that time. Because my partner was present at the time of the offence and refused to assist police, they charged her as an accessory. She was eventually bailed with the strict condition to have no contact with me. It took three years for her case to resolve, and in that time, we could not have contact.

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For three years we were forbidden to speak even one word to each other. We both made sure to obey the conditions. My daughter was born healthy and happy in that time and is two and a half now. When my partner’s case was finalised, she was sentenced to a 15 month Intensive Corrective Order (ICO). After all that time, we could finally be reunited as a family. We could talk everyday, I could speak to my daughter, every morning and every night. But because of this policy, our family still suffers terribly. I have never met my beautiful daughter, never held her or kissed her or looked into her eyes and told her Daddy loves her. I crave so badly to take my partner and our daughter into my arms and hold them. We all need that physical connection so, so much, to keep our family strong, keep our relationships strong.

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I have not had one single charge in nearly four years, which is a huge turn around for me. I requested a contact visit, explaining the whole situation, and got refused. No explanation at all, just because the policy says I can.

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It cannot be understated the importance that must be placed on inmates personal and familial relationships and support networks. Keeping these relationships strong and keeping families together is the number one factor that impacts rates of reoffending. Any inmate that loses his partner whilst incarcerated, especially where children are involved, will go home to no family and no support, there will most likely be recidivism in these circumstances.

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This policy of denying contact between loved ones and families, based solely on a community order, is breaking families apart. It puts offenders, children and the community as a whole in a much worse situation. I struggle to understand...

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My partner and I try our best to keep our love strong but it’s like the hits never stop.

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I have to try to explain to my crying two and a half year old daughter, regularly, why she cannot meet her Daddy in person. She can’t understand, and frankly, neither can I.

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Thanks for taking the time to read my letter.

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Thanks again, you guys are great!

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From Micky

Cessnock Correctional Centre, NSW