Listen to the lived experience of systemic institutionalisation

Monday, 27 September 2021 - 10:30am
Deer Park women's prison 2015

Aboriginal people are the most incarcerated people on Earth. In 1991 the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody delivered its final findings. Back then, the Commission was reporting on nearly 100 deaths in custody but today we’re approaching 500 deaths, with no signs of change.

 

Today’s episode is about listening to the depth of insight into the impacts of prisons on prisoners themselves. Who better to really listen to than those directly experiencing the failures of the system? Yet their voices seem to fall on deaf ears.

 

Throughout this episode Kutcha and Vickie reflect on what - or if - anything has changed since the investigations back in 1991. They discuss the deep impacts of incarceration and listen to the thoughts, feelings and stories from people on the inside.

 

It can be difficult to imagine a world without prisons, but if we really listen to the experiences of incarcerated First Nations people it has to follow that we demand an end to their unjust imprisonment.

 

In today’s episode, we hear from Chanel, Fuddy Junior, Al Boy, Jody, Angie, Bomber, Lester, and others in prisons across Victoria and Beyond the Bars broadcasters Janina Harding, Gilla McGuinness, Shiralee Hood, and David Dryden.

20 Years on the Inside with Vickie and Kutcha
Monday 12:00pm to 1:00pm
A podcast series hosted by Vickie Roach and Kutcha Edwards reflecting on 20 years of the Beyond the Bars prison radio broadcasts.

Presenter

Vickie Roach and Kutcha Edwards

Topic

Episodes

Life beyond the bars

4 Oct 2021
In this final episode, Vickie and Kutcha explore the ideas and dreams of those on the inside for their lives on the outside. Dreams of making a difference, and ideas of contributing to their community and building a better future for the generations of Aboriginal people to come. Visions of steering the younger generation in the right direction, and hopes of supporting the older generation through reconnection with culture.

Listen to the lived experience of systemic institutionalisation

27 Sep 2021
Today’s episode is about listening to the depth of insight into the impacts of prisons on prisoners themselves. Who better to really listen to than those directly experiencing the failures of the system? Yet their voices seem to fall on deaf ears.

The daily grind

20 Sep 2021
On today’s show Kutcha and Vickie hear from the men and women on the “inside” about the daily grind. Life and work on the “inside”. We listen to the brothers and sisters who are living the grind day in, day out, and try to understand just what this system is doing to our people.

The Aboriginal spirit is strong and ever-present

13 Sep 2021
In this episode, Kutcha and Vickie explore how inmates find creative expression, engage in the healing process and learn about culture while on the “inside”. Vickie shares how she found moments of peace during her time in prison through her creativity, daydreaming, writing and strengthening her spiritual connections.