Protect jailed crime figures
Mokbel attack sparks calls for security review
A CRIMINOLOGIST who once worked in Barwon Prison says there are “striking similarities” in the jailhouse murder of Carl Williams and the stabbing of drug lord Tony Mokbel.
Former Barwon Prison pastor turned Deakin criminologist Peter Norden says prisons must adopt a more rigorous and sophisticated risk assessment system for its inmates to prevent further violence from occurring.
The long-term prison pastor worked at Pentridge Prison for decades and oversaw the 2003 funeral of gangland war victim Graham ‘The Munster’ Kinniburgh at Sacred Heart Church in Kew.
Dr Norden, who received an honorary doctorate at Deakin’s Waterfront campus last night, said the ambushes on Williams and Mokbel occurred under similar circumstances with both prisoners named in front page news stories prior to being attacked.
It has been reported that Mokbel had been offered a THE ATTACK on drug lord Tony Mokbel has prompted calls for a sweeping review of prison security.
Teira Bennett and Eldea Teuira, both aged 21, will appear in a Geelong court today accused of attacking the kingpin following a 21st birthday celebration at Barwon Prison on Monday.
Edward O’Donohue, the move into protection, after a report that he had intervened in a standover racket involving Pacific Islanders. But Mokbel refused, and he was allowed to continue his normal routine in a mainstream unit.
Dr Norden said protection for high-profile inmates shadow Attorney-General, has called for the Ombudsman to launch an urgent review of whether 57 recommendations relating to the management of Victoria’s prisons — made as part of a report into the 2010 murder of Carl Williams — have been implemented.
The report identified a number of serious weakthought to be at risk of harm should be compulsorily enforced by authorities to ensure safety of all.
“As occurred in relation to the death of Carl Williams, the Victorian prison authorities have failed to assess the changing risk to high-profile security nesses in the state’s prisons.
It recommended changes relating to issues including prisoner placement, corrections intelligence and risk management.
Bennett and Teuira will face Geelong Magistrates’ Court today on charges including attempted murder. prisoners in the light of recent media coverage of Tony Mokbel by the tabloid media,” Dr Norden said.
Williams, a convicted drug trafficker and murderer, was beaten to death with part of an exercise bike at Barwon Prison by inmate Matthew Charles Johnson. Williams, who ordered contract killings of other gangland figures, would have been eligible for parole when he was 71.
He was 39 when he died in 2010.
Dr Norden said reports in the media had a significant impact on the prison system, with the influence often underestimated by prison staff.
He said prisons were “volatile” where much was at stake.
DAVID HURLEY, ANEEKA SIMONIS, JAMES DOWLING