A Current Affair ran a segment last night called “Prisoner Perks”, a follow-up to an article Woman’s Day published on Kathleen Folbigg last week.
It made me feel sick and horrified all over again.
Phrases like “living like queens”, “shopping splurges” “it’s like being in Surfer’s Paradise” and “living it up large” were used.
Seriously?
Jail is no holiday. And anyone who thinks it is needs a wake-up call – perhaps a few days in a cell with the woman interviewed on A Current Affair might change their perspective.
But it’s a David and Goliath battle and all I have is my stone of truth. So I’m going to take aim …
As I said last week: It’s so easy and cowardly to be loose with the truth when the person you are slandering can’t defend themselves. Kathy, as a prisoner, has no hope of pressing a libel suit for the allegations.
There’s nothing palatial about a cell with a lino floor, a set of bunk beds with plastic-covered mattresses, and a shower, toilet and sink along the other wall. How could anyone be carefree, locked inside that cell from 3.30pm every afternoon until 8.30am the next day, and from 11.30am to 12.30pm every lunchtime for 26 years.
Kathy doesn’t have a “luxury” balcony to enjoy the summer breezes. It’s a ledge barely wider than her body and surrounded by bars. The fact that her former cellmate compared it to living in Surfer’s Paradise has to be an elaborate joke she’s playing on A Current Affair and its viewers.
Yes, Kathy watches TV. What else is she supposed to do during the 18 hours a day she spends in her cell? She also reads and does crossword puzzles to pass the time. Should we take books away from her as well?
Yes, she wears makeup. She pays for it by working, “demuffing” headphones for Qantas, at 50 cents per bag of 50. The suggestion that wearing lipstick means she shows “no contrition” … words fail me.
It would be laughable if the intent wasn’t so vicious.
Shame again on that ex-prisoner, spewing her fabrications on national television this time.
housegoeshome 
I don’t get why this is a betrayal? Who is being betrayed? I am also confused why you are so offended by an inaccurate article in Woman’s Day, considering it’s a world you have lived in for your career. Why is this one story so offensive? Sure it’s inaccurate, but isn’t that a lot of the magazine most weeks? Sorry to be so blunt on my first comment! I really like your blog.
Hi Jess, sorry, I wasn’t clear. Kathy is the one who has been betrayed – again – by her former cellmate. I understand what you are saying about my career, but Kathy needs someone to speak out for her and she’s stuck with me! I visit her regularly and I believe she didn’t get a fair trial. It’s a personal crusade rather than just a random rant.
Thanks for clarifying. Horrible to have lies written about you, even if you’re in prison. I am a big believer in making prison comfortable…the punishment is lack of freedom.
See the part where the ex inmate claimed to be in for crimes like money offences or some crap?
she would have to be in for child related crimes to be in protective custody…
She didn’t give her name so I couldn’t check.
i am speechless at how naive they are that they believe this ex-crim… altho, we all know, these kinds of programs never let the truth get in the way of a story!!
I feel sick and horrified also… the comments from the Victims of Crime Support Group spokesperson Howard Brown, and of James Graham from Woman’s Day were incredulous especially in the fact that they would base their comments with no research for the truth whats so ever on the say so of “Tessa” an ex and very bitter and malicious inmate “Tessa”. Her motive would be “fame” and $$$$ no doubt.
Woman’s Day and Current Affair often only care about sensational story’s to get the attention and ratings to make $$$$, or so it seems!
Kathy can’t defend herself while being an inmate, but I know she is strong and will just keep on holding her head high and doing her cleaning, gardening…. keeping busy.
Also sorry to see that you have lost your job Alana by speaking out on behalf of Kathy. Something good will come from it so a big pat on the back too you.
Thx Nicola
I’m so pleased you are able to provide another perspective through your blog. We know these shows (+ magazines) are inclined to ‘colour’ the truth – but this seems like outright fabrication.
Thanks for the support Lara.
Thanks for standing up for the truth- as a long time criminal lawyer and social worker I know that prison is no fun. Many people, particularly women have few visitors, so good on you for visiting Kathy. I have always been disgusted by how the popular media reports on criminal justice.
It’s a subject that gets people very hot and bothered, that’s for sure. But I can’t see how anyone enjoys prison.
Alana, congratulations on your stand. At the time of Kathleen Folbigg’s conviction I sent the following letter to the SMH:
“Kathleen Folbigg, by any criterion a badly damaged individual, may have committed ghastly, incomprehensible crimes but it is difficult to understand how imprisoning her for forty years will benefit anyone.”
The Herald contacted me to say that my letter had been “short listed for publication” but failed to publish it, the only time this has ever happened to me. I am not a conspiracy theorist and don’t see any significance in this failure to publish but I still find it puzzling.
Peter s
Agree – but it was trial by media.
Just read about your job loss in smh and this is the first time I have visited your blog. You were obviously in a difficult position as an employee of the parent company but also a concerned friend in this instance. It is good though that you stood up for the truth, as journalism such as this found on a Current Affair and in Woman’s Day is destructive to society. I hope you find other employment, especially employment in which you can continue to speak for truth.
Thanks Megan, fingers crossed.
So symapthetic to you. I worked at MRRC for 3 years and was constantly having to tell people that it was no resort and that being deprived of your liberty even for only the day as I was was a huge punishment.
Deirdree
I agree, not much fun being a prison guard either.