Family eases strain for Kiwi in Argentine jail

SHARON ARMSTRONG has written of the joy of a family visit to her Argentinian prison cell and given thanks for a yearly subscription to a Kiwi gossip magazine.

A former top Wellington public servant, Armstrong, 54, was arrested at Buenos Aires airport on April 13 last year after 5kg of cocaine was discovered in the false bottom of her suitcase. She denies knowing the drugs were in her bag and says she was duped into carrying them by a man she met online.

Armstrong has now been in a Buenos Aires prison for nearly a year.

‘‘February seemed to pass by in a blur,’’ she wrote on her website. ‘‘The best part of the past month was the five days I got to spend with my darling daughter and sister.’’

Her sister Leanne

and

daughter

Sharon Armstrong Ariana had been able to visit her for five hours a day, she said.

‘‘It was wonderful to see them, hold them, laugh with them and cry with them. They succeeded in topping up my emotional bank with lots of cuddles and kisses from the rest of my whanau.’’

They shared chips, M&MS and skittles, as well as baked goods made by other inmates.

‘‘Although it was heartbreaking to see them go I still feel surrounded by their love and I am so grateful to everyone who helped make their trip a reality.’’

Her legal fight was continuing and a result could be a while coming, she said.

‘‘In the meantime my fitness continues to improve and whenever I feel a bit down I push myself to do some physical exercise. It really helps me get through the emotionally tough times.’’

She was particularly looking forward to an upcoming prison literature studies class.

‘‘I have had a sneak preview of the content and I’m excited. I’m especially looking forward to the debates and opportunities to share our respective countries’ histories and experiences of colonisation and to learn about others as well. Woohoo!!!. Some intellectual stimulation!’’

And she saved a special thank you for a friend who gave her a year’s subscription to Woman’s Day.