This is the fifth time I have been in prison. I
white, I got picked on when I lived with my dad and his family
because I was fair skinned. Dad didn't want to have white kids.
I didn't like living with dad so I moved in with mum. Mum's
boyfriend used to bash her a lot. This is when I started using
drugs and started to live on the streets because I didn't want
to go home. I was known to Police at this time because they
would be called to mum's for family violence matters.
I started to steal to take drugs. The stealing eventually led me
to prison at 20 years old. Before prison, I got bail about 30
times and feel like I was given lots of chances but I couldn't
stop taking drugs.
All my times in prison have been because of theft to support
my drug habit. But the last time I got out I started using `Ice'.
This drug made me psychotic and violent. I thought everyone
was out to get me and I started attacking people in the street.
This is why I have been in for such a long time this time.
Because I was violent. I am not a violent person. I have never
been before but `Ice' makes you that way.
The last time I was in prison I was released on straight release.
I was not given any services on release. The Women's
Integrated Support Program (WISP) said that I was not
suitable for their program and they didn't tell me why. I left
prison without any services and no accommodation. That's
the problem with straight release, you get no support.
I was reviewed for parole in February 2013 but I had a couple
of dirty urines before I started using Buprenorphine. I have
not had any more `dirties' since I started using `bup' to help
with my drug problem. I've been clean for six months but the
Parole Board didn't care. I will now be released on straight
release again.
Hopefully when I get released this time I will be able to get
support from WISP or Konnect.
Being in prison for this long has made me realise that other
women have it a lot worse than me. This has changed my
"f**k the world" attitude but I think it's impossible not to use
drugs again. I also have a great partner and we will support
each other when released.