Stuart Highway refuses prison drug-test

[garywmeyerhoff]

Media Alert

 

15th December 2005

 

Stuart Highway refuses prison drug-test

 

A Darwin activist may have to ride out the remainder of his sentence in a "punishment cell" at the infamous Berrimah Prison.

 

Berrimah Prison inmate Stuart Highway has been labelled an “identified drug user” (IDU) for refusing to provide a urine sample to prison officers earlier this week.

 

Stuart, presently serving a three-month sentence for charges arising from his involvement in an October 2002 drug law-reform rally, refused to give the required 60mil sample on Monday during a random drug-test.

 

He said he could face 28 days’ in the "punishment cells".

 

"They haven’t issued me with any paper work yet,” Stuart said.

 

“But I guess they’ll get around to it.”

 

Stuart said more officers than usual “swarmed” into the yard at 8am and began calling names. Those called had to assemble on one side of the compound, where they were given a cup of water to drink and ordered to provide a sample.

 

They had three hours to provide the sample, but Stuart said most had provided a specimen within 10 minutes. Anybody who doesn’t provide a sample within three hours, is deemed to be a drug-user.

 

“If it had occurred in Alice Springs, there would have been a riot,” he said.

 

“They swarmed in with no warning and herded us into one yard. Some prisoners were strip-searched and officers searched the dorms.

 

“Prisoners were on edge because it was really hot and we were locked in the yard.”

 

Stuart said he was back in dorm one, which was less crowded.

 

Asked about his legal aid appeal, Stuart said it was like “flogging a dead horse”.

 

“Lorenzo Lodge, who was handling it, said the sentence was on the harsh side, but was not manifestly excessive,” Stuart said.

 

Stuart has 33 days left to serve.

 

For more information about Stuart’s case click here:

http://www.napnt.org/pages/freestuarthighway.html

 

To arrange an interview, please ring NAPNT on 0415 16 2525 (+61 415 16 2525 from overseas) or Darwin Prison on (08) 8922 0111 (+61 8 89220111).

 

To view this media release with links click here:

http://www.napnt.org/2005/12/stuart-highwa...rison-drug.html

 

NAPNT members are still very concerned for Stuart’s welfare, please ring the Darwin Correctional Centre on (08) 8922 0111 (+61 8 8922 0111 from outside Australia) to ensure that Stuart’s human rights are being respected. Please write to Stuart and let him know that he (and the other prisoners) is supported on the outside.

 

 

The following is a recent media release on Stuart's case…

 

 

Media Alert

 

07th December 2005

 

Time to Free Stuart Highway

 

Members of the Northern Territory chapter of the Network Against Prohibition are outraged at the ongoing incarceration of our friend and comrade Stuart Highway. Stuart has now served 50 days in Darwin Prison and he has another 41 to go.

 

NAPNT spokesperson Gary Meyerhoff has expressed concerns about Stuart’s welfare in a letter to the NT Administrator, Mr Ted Egan AO.

 

Stuart was imprisoned for three months on Tuesday 18 October for an offence related to the drug law-reform campaign of the Network Against Prohibition in Darwin in Australia’s Top End. The offence was three years old.

 

In a letter to Mr Egan, NAPNT spokesperson Gary Meyerhoff said: “We are very concerned about the harm Stuart could suffer from incarceration. Imprisonment should be used as an absolute last resort, in cases where an individual is violent or dangerous or some kind of serious threat to the community.”

 

Stuart does not fall into this category by any means.

 

He is a dedicated social justice activist and has contributed much to the community.

 

Mr Meyerhoff said: “Stuart has been under enormous pressure and stress over the last three years, largely because of the tough NT Government response to the ongoing campaign by the Network Against Prohibition. He has already suffered enough and paid the price for whatever transgressions he may have committed.

 

“Stuart poses no danger whatsoever to anybody or anything. His continued incarceration is a burden on taxpayers to no end.”

 

For more information about Stuart’s case click here:

http://www.napnt.org/pages/freestuarthighway.html

 

To arrange an interview, please ring NAPNT on 0415 16 2525 (+61 415 16 2525 from overseas); Darwin Prison on (08) 8922 0111 (+61 8 89220111) and/or the Administrator of the Northern Territory, Mr Ted Egan AO on (08) 8999 7103.

 

To view this media release with links click here:

http://www.napnt.org/2005/12/time-to-free-...rt-highway.html

:thumbdown

[Tom]

Stuart, presently serving a three-month sentence for charges arising from his involvement in an October 2002 drug law-reform rally, refused to give the required 60mil sample on Monday during a random drug-test.

What were the charges, 3 months inside suggests that they were of a serious or violent nature? Why did he refuse the test, the handbook would have made him well aware of the rules? If the guy is in the right I will support him but if he is just trying to make some sort of statement or was actually using drugs at the time then as far as I'm concerned he knew what to expect when he crossed the line.

 

[WantDaChronic]

dunno about you guys, but if i ever go to prison, what ever the length of time im staying in there, im gonna be in solitary, even if it means i go insane, no way would i risk my arse's virginity

 

but seriously, prison is meant to be drug free, drug tests shouldnt be needed as drugs shouldnt get in there

[jabez]

I couldn't be bothered reading that whole link but I think there saying he got jail time because he didn't plead guilty which is fine he can plead what he wants, but don't play the victim when you get a harsh sentence I mean 2 jack cars got damaged and there's obviously proof he was involved so why would you not plead guilty. :scratchin

What a goose

[Tom]

but seriously, prison is meant to be drug free, drug tests shouldnt be needed as drugs shouldnt get in there

:: :: ::

 

[WantDaChronic]

yeah i know its funny but seriously, they ram fingers up your arse searching for drugs, i dont see how drugs should be getting in there in the first place

[willrobinson]

they ram fingers up your arse searching for drugs

 

No they dont, you will be made to squat and cough. Anything up there will shoot out like a rocket believe me.