QUEENSLAND, Australia—The Innisfail work camp, south of Cairns, was shut down with two hours’ notice after a former inmate told The Cairns Post that “prisoners are living a life of luxury.”
The snitch—who wisely chose to remain unnamed—“provided pictures of convicted murderers, drug traffickers and other inmates given free rein on unsupervised outings and detailed a life in air conditioned rooms with flat screen TVs, pay TV access, DVD players and ensuites,” reported the Post.
Among his many claims, the inmate said that prisoner perks included some benefits that few outside prisons walls enjoy, including:
• Roast chicken and Eagle Boys pizza for dinner
• Flat screen TVs with Austar access and DVD players
• Easy access to drugs, pornography and mobile phones
• Unsupervised trips for shopping
• Free time at the beach and waterholes every Sunday
• Unlimited visits from girlfriends
• Regular use of the work camp bus
"I couldn’t believe it was happening," said the former inmate told the paper. “It was an absolute holiday camp. You’ve got people convicted of violent crimes like murder and grievous bodily harm yet they’re allowed to roam unsupervised every Wednesday and Sunday."
The Cairns Post reports that just two hours after contacting Corrective Services Minister Neil Roberts, the work camp was ordered closed, and the inmates were transferred to Lotus Glen prison, where a dog squad combed the camp’s grounds for drugs.
The inmates are no doubt wondering if there are dogs that can sniff for snitches.
