Personal experience of long bay ex-inmate

Please note out of respect to the individual they have asked a pseudonym be used to protect their family and themselves. ('Frank')

Picture by Sydney Criminal Lawyers: Long Bay Correctional Centre (NSW) for maximum and minimum security inmates.

"I started when I was younger, just little things like stealing pencils and smoking, then I couldn't stop; doing it became a need, like I craved doing it."

Frank has been in and out of New South Wales prisons since he was in his late teens; his first offence led to an addiction to robbery and explicit drugs.

"I've been to many prisons, probably all of them here (NSW); you get used to it, and everything becomes normal; you forget about other things, like how good food tasted or your bed, even working. I remember working here and there, but not what it felt like."

On multiple occasions, Frank has been charged with robbery, armed robbery, leading a police pursuit and driving whilst under the influence of drugs.

The last two offences occurred when Frank escaped Long Bay Correctional Facilities in 2010 whilst working in the prison's hospital. Whilst Frank was on the run for just over two months, he robbed nine different businesses before he was caught driving on the wrong side of the road, leading police on a pursuit and driving whilst under the influence. During the pursuit, he also hit a motorcyclist.

When talking to Frank, he became uncomfortable talking about why he escaped and his experience when he was re-arrested.

"Going to court has been intimidating every time, but I've always pleaded guilty because I know what I've done was wrong."

Frank continued to explain that he was grateful he had access to legal representation because it was something that was confusing and scary, as he did not understand the process.

Frank has been out of prison since 2020 and is doing well.