One Big Fear

Well after the dust settled from the New Year's Eve festivities, I came home and logged on my computer only to have 3 Google News Alerts for Schapelle waiting in my inbox. I have learned that anytime there is anymore than 2 alerts, its never good. Just as I suspected, the news was not good. One of Schapelle's biggest fears is about to come through. After two and a half years in Kerobokan, the jail officials have applied to have her transfered from Kerobokan prison to Malang Prison, a few hundred kilometers away.

Most people would be thinking it doesn't really matter because jail is jail. The scary thing for Schapelle is that since her arrest she has been able to have her daily visits with her sister Mercedes who has been able to bring her fresh food and water along with anything else she may need. Most prisoners inside Kerobokan do not have this and therefore end up sick and malnurished because the food supplied to the prisoners is anything but edible. It will be much more difficult for Mercedes to access Schapelle if this transfer is approved.

Malang prison is said to have a lower prisoner population as well as stricter rules. Prisoners are only allowed 2 visits per week and are waken up at 5am. They are to have an hour of prayer, then an hour of exercize and must be back in their cells at 6pm. They are expected to be asleep by 9pm. I have not been able to find much information on Malang Prison at the moment. Chris Parnell, an Australian who was jailed in Malang Prison in the 90s has some pictures and a few disturbing stories on his website if you care to check them out. I personally was only able to look at one or two pictures before I just felt disgusted and upset by the thought of her going there. The site is http://www.christophervvparnell.com/gallery_1.htm

According to Indonesian law, a prisoner cannot be moved while their case is still under appeal. At the moment, Schapelle is waiting to hear if the court is going to grant her an extraordinary appeal so technically, she should not be moved until that has been exhausted. Her lawyer, Erwin Siregar has mentioned this point and has written a letter requesting the move not be granted. According to Erwin, there is also a law in Indonesia that says that forgien prisoners must have regular access to their countries consulate. There is no Australian Consulate in Malang so moving her would be a violation of the law, which, I guess has been done before.