Mr Severin must resign or be sacked
The following is an extract I have lifted directly from the internet via Google.
An investigation is being conducted after a prisoner at the Parklea Correctional Centre, in Sydney's north-west, uploaded a video to YouTube showing him in possession of a knife, a "slasher" and the drug ice.
The man filming the video claims that contraband is being brought into the jail by security guards in exchange for money.
"On a day-to-day basis this place is a dead-set joke, it's a dead-set joke," the inmate says.
"Right now, I've got a mobile phone. Why have I got a mobile phone? Because screws are bringing mobile phones into the jail for money”.
He then shows the camera, a knife, a "slasher" and a part of a TV that could "rip skin".
"Why am I carrying around a knife like that? Why does that need to be in my hand at this point in time?" he says.
"Why have I got a slasher? Why do I need to slash people?"
PHOTO: The man demonstrated the strength of the "slasher" by running it along the cell wall. (YouTube)
He then uses the implement to hack into a wall and says: "That's just an example of what it can do to your throat."
Finally, he holds up a clear bag which he says contains the drug “ice”.
"Why have I got it? Because I can."
The man then declares that the "jail is ruining lives and killing the young people".
He points to another inmate and says: "This man, 50 years of jail, why hasn't the system fixed him?"
"Why? ‘Cause the system has never had a mobile phone broadcast live in every correctional centre."
A spokeswoman from Corrective Services NSW said the incident was being viewed as a "very serious breach of security".
A multi-team investigation has commenced, she said, and CSNSW will meet on Monday with the operator of Parklea Correctional Group, GEO Group.
On Saturday a targeted search operation with 40 staff and nine detection dogs found four mobile phones and chargers, steroid tablets and a number of other contraband items at the jail.
"CSNSW takes a zero-tolerance approach and uses a range of methods to track down and confiscate contraband," the spokeswoman said.
"Inmates go to extraordinary lengths to introduce contraband. Methods include internal secretion, visitor smuggling and lobbing of packages over perimeter fences.
"Any suggestions that contraband is introduced by staff are immediately investigated."
NSW Corrective Services Assistant Commissioner Mark Wilson said they are satisfied the video was shot within the prison but any allegations regarding security personnel need to be investigated.
PHOTO: The man purporting to be a prisoner said he had ice "because I can". (YouTube)
My thoughts:
Of course Mr Severin reacted and took corrective action but only following his attention was drawn to the YouTube downloaded by the prisoner whose voice features in the article. It was not Mr Severin or his ineffective, mal-practicing administration that discovered the shoddy work being carried out by the private contractor GEO Group. This whole sorry episode has only come to light because a lone prisoner had the foresight and courage to stand up and show the world what a disgrace the NSW prison system has become. A Royal Commission is desperately needed to sort out the extensive problems caused by this very poorly run prison system.
It is, in my opinion, a complete failure, run by a horde of “do gooder’s”. This must be turned around, in particular when we have a “lone wolf” prisoner screaming for someone to help fix the shambles the NSW prison system has become under the “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” administration and responsibility of the dud Commissioner Mr Severin. In short, Mr Severin is a “soft cock” who must be stood down.
This I believe
Peter T Egge
