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Third, the prison system can be improved by undertaking a review of the entire opioid substitution therapy program operating in Victoria's prisons. Such a  review needs to include an empirical study of whether the program actually works in reducing drug using prisoners' drug dependency, or if it simply maintains their habit. Additionally, the question needs to be asked whether the prison system has become the biggest drug dealer of all. The situation now exists whereby prisoners with no drug taking history are added to the Methadone program when they require pain relief for pre-existing injuries, such as injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents prior to being imprisoned. How can the opioid substitution program be viewed as a success if it is actually creating addicts? Similarly, how can it be considered a success if random and targeted drug testing reveals that Methadone and Buprenorphine are being diverted from prisoners on the program to those that aren't? Creating a drug trade in Victoria's prisons is hardly improving the prison system.

Fourth, the prison system can be improved by permitting and supporting more hobbies in prison. Aside from basic sketching and painting, and limited woodwork (i.e. matchsticks and hobby glue), practically no hobbies exist in Victoria's prisons. Hobbies of the past - leatherwork, copper art, pottery, screen printing and other textile hobbies, stuffed toy making, woodwork, and others - have been banned or otherwise discontinued, or exist in a truncated form in only select prisons. The constructive use of a prisoner's spare time on a widespread basis can only have positive results for the individual prisoner and the prison system as a whole.

Fifth, the prison system can be improved by returning to the level of community involvement in prisons that existed in the past. Theatre groups, choirs, music bands, sports days (i.e. Pentridge Prison's annual "Bluestone Challenge"), were common the 1970s and 1980s. Today they are virtually nonexistent Instead of attempting to foster a continuing connection with the community the modern prison system has effected, by accident or design, an almost total exclusion of prisoners from the community they came from. The creation of a choir at Tarrengower Prison and the Tex Perkins "Man in Black" concert at Port Phillip Prison on 31 August 2OO9 was exceptions to the general rule ofisons to work in the community on "community work gangs", but community groups rarely if ever venture inside those prisons.

"Ideas about How to Improve the Prison System: A 10 Point Plan" Page 3

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