Senator Lidia Thorpe has called on the SA Corrections Minister to urgently allow a parole hearing from Narrunga and Ngarrinjeri man, Anthony Smith, currently imprisoned at Yatala Labour Prison (Northfield).
Mr Smith recently went on a 14 day hunger strike to protest his treatment in South Australia’s prison system.
Following media attention on his situation, Mr Smith’s family say he has faced further punishment, including restricted visits, no phone calls to family, and stopped mail.
Mr Smith has served 24 years of his 30-year sentence and is 6 years past his non-parole period.
However, Mr Smith’s parole has been consistently denied, and his latest application for parole has been deferred without clear grounds.
South Australian legislation does not outline a period for which a parole application can sit in a deferred decision, and Mr Smith and his family are concerned about remaining in limbo long-term.
Mr Smith's family say that during his time in prison, he has endured prolonged solitary confinement, inadequate medical care, and overall inhumane conditions.
Senator Thorpe says Mr Smith and and his family are being denied procedural fairness and subjected to indefinite waiting, and that the Department of Corrections should immediately facilitate a parole hearing for him to establish whether he qualifies for parole.
Quotes attributable to Lidia Thorpe, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung independent Victorian Senator:
“While I cannot comment on the grounds for parole, it’s important to ensure procedural fairness to all incarcerated people, and that includes allowing for parole hearings to take place to resolve such requests.
“Leaving someone in limbo, without any reason or indicative timeframe for resolution is cruel and denies them their rights.
“We know that First Peoples are discriminated against in the prison system, we know that human rights are frequently disregarded, and that our people continue to die at horrific rates in custody.”
“Anthony Smith has been subjected to shocking treatment. The parole board should immediately hear his application for parole and consider his release. He has already served 6 years additional to his non-parole period and has been given no clear reason why consideration of his case has been deferred.”
“I will be writing to the Department of Corrections in South Australia to urge them to ensure procedural fairness and facilitate a parole hearing quickly.”