Firstly, Nice article! It was very interesting.
This is online OPINION, so I just thought I’d give mine! In Just plain layman's terms.

Robert, as I see it he is not asking for your pity. He is giving insight to what it was like in Katingal. (For those of us that don’t know) It was not about what he had done and about his victims, which I am sure he has thought about and still does. But rather it was his account of what it was like, when he arrived to do the time.
Hasbeen, I am so glad you are not a judge in Australia. Get back under your rock.
Patty Jr Satanic Feminist, I don’t believe he is making himself out to be heroic. Nor do I think he wants a pat on the back. He is detailing a personal account of what he has seen in prison. I know I for one found it interesting and informative.
As for Mickijo, I find it strange that a “saint” like you hangs out in online opinion. Welcome to the Pearly Gates Mickijo!. You are a true treasure.
And finally, Col Rouge, I have re-read the piece and can not for the life of me, find out where it states “the world owes him something”. I read it as him telling us what he witnessed. I also want to clear up the ‘mouthpiece for the law abiding population’. I am part of that majority and please never be a mouthpiece for me.
Fiona

Col, you speak for col rouge and nobody else. From your attitudes and statements, I can see your part of the problem in the system. Anyone as bitter and twisted as you are on this subject, with your so called experience in the field, surely can't be a help to evolving it to better ways and is bringing it down further.

The only people I've known that've served time and not admitted their crimes and the damage they have caused, have been the paedophiles, rapists and god fearing murderers. Sadly those purporting to be knowledgeable, take your attitude and are working within the system, are normally those that hold progress back. I dealt with many of your ilk, particularity those within parole and administration, their ignorance knew no bounds.

The best counsellors and help for rehab, came from career crims who could understand what people go through, how it effects everyone and how to turn in the right direction and get control of your life responsibly. Most incarcerated, don't have control or know how to fit. That doesn't excuse them for what they've done, but Bernie's article if read by many, would show that its not a free holiday.

Theres not a word about self pity, nor superiority, just facts as to a situation that didn't help anyone involved.

Col, for some unknown reason you seem eager to personalise your comments in the forum when you say - I know, for a fact, when asked to do so I had articles published (in fact serialised - despite not doing a degree in word-smithing)- Is there a point you are trying to make? You go on to make the judgmental comment:Yet I also know that because of matters like police character checks, you would be barred from earning an income in some of the manners I presently do. Well Col, you are wrong! Again!

September 27, 2005 I was the first Australian ex-prisoner invited to give a lecture to over 200 NSW Police Officers at the Goulburn Police Academy during the 2005 Officer Crime Prevention Conference. I feel certain that the NSW Police Force did appropriate character checks considering the length of time I spent in NSW prisons as a result of my criminality. I was invited to speak at the Conference about that very subject - my criminality. Col, your attempts at pre-judging me fall flat in the face of facts. cheers for now bernie matthews

Hi there Kilos...what an amazing event it must have been, to have you deliver a talk/speech to two hundred odd, NSW police at the Academy. You always could speak well, when you put your mind to it. I would've indeed, liked to have been in attendance, and listened to your presentation. I'm sure that I would have found it both informative and enlightning. I suppose I've been somewhat luckier then most (if one could call it luck), having spent many years in the 'system' (wearing blue, including Katingal) and a further seventeen years in the police, until my retirement. I've had the opportunity to view the 'cause and effect', if you like, of the whole jolly misnomer of the 'Administration (should read...'mis') of Justice', in and for the state of New South Wales, at least. I dunno, after thirty years or so, I thought I had a bit of a handle on 'crims', 'screws', 'coppers', and 'jacks', et al, but no, I'm still mystified, as to a REALLY effective alternative to locking-up people for years on end. However,apropos the type of individual you (society) want as prison officers, in order to avoid the events oft' mentioned in Nagle's enquiry, is anybodys guess? Kilos, what are the qualities that you personally, would like to see in a potential recruit, for the correctional setting? Notwithstanding of course, that there a many, very bad people locked-up in our Gaols, at any one time! AND we want them to stay there. Anyway, I'll leave it at that, lest I bore the good folk who may bother to read this...Cheers Kilos.

Alchemist – if you think I care about your wailing apologist attitude, think again. I was speaking about the honest, silent majority, I never assumed you rated among them in the first place.

Kilos – re 27 Sept 2005 - good for you, Like I said previously, I would rather Chopper Read gained income from his artwork than by descending back into a life of crime.

I suggest your read my posts, I had not prejudged you at all, I did express opinion on your self indulgent nature and attitude in thinking that the honest people of Australia owe you some sort of “featherbedded, 5 star hotel existence” because you are guilty of having pursued a life of crime, with a degree of competence that resulted in your being caught.

From your article I can only assume you still don’t get it, viz -

“if you do the crime you deserve the time”.

Hello again Kilos...I note you inferred that Col Rouge was in some way having a go at your version of 'the facts' - in these generalised discussions, relating to the various issues associated with the topic of 'PRISONS', in toto. I've read, and re-read Col's comments and views, and I don't think for a minute, that he was having a go at you personally. Rather he was simply expressing his opinions and perceptions, on the vexed subject of crime and punishment per se. Further Kilos, you suggest he is not in possession of the facts. What are those facts, Kilos? That once upon a time you were a criminal, or at least, engaged in criminal activity? By your own admission...res ipsa loquitur. Because an individual has not been in gaol, he's not necessarily automatically excluded from making an informed comment, or expressing a considered opinion? Kilos, you write well, as I've already stated herein. However, you are NOT the sole custodian of knowledge, with respect to the conditions and treatment of inmates in gaol. An informed opinion for sure, but not the sole purveyance and answer to ALL the troubles and difficulties confronting the Penal system, in 2006 and beyond. Oh by the way, you've often spoken of prison officers, with such a sense of palpable venom and hate, AND I can fully understand and appreciate those emotions. However, is it possible in your mind, that there may be many honourable and competent men and women working today, within the system? Including some of those who were employed in Katingal? I'd better go, tea's on the table! Take care, and cheers for now Kilos. o sung wu.