Doin Time

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time may contain audio images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have died, and discussion of Deaths in Custody.On this show Marisa is joined by Sarah Schwartz, the manager of the Wirraway Police and Prison Accountability Practise at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, and a lecturer at the Melbourne Law School. Following on from last weeks discussion, they talk about inquests into deaths in custody, and how the state of the parole system has been a causal factor in some of these cases. The conversation includes a discussion about Heather Calgaret, a Yamatji, Noongar, Wongi and Pitjantjatjara woman who died in custody in 2021. Heather had been eligible for parole for nearly a year, but rermained in prison because she had no suitable place to live. Marisa also reads some extracts from  People with Disability Australia's formal response to The Disability Royal Commission.

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time may contain audio images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have died, and discussion of Deaths in Custody.First on the show is Chloe, who is an activist with the Refugee Action Collective, a member of the Socialist Alliance and presenter of the Friday breakfast time ’Green Left Weekly Radio’ show, which has its home here on 3CR Radio. Chloe talks in commemoration of Reza Barati’s horrifically brutal murder, in which he was beaten to death by guards and other contractors during a violent rampage inside the Manus Island detention centre in 2014. Reza Barati was 23 when he was murdered. She discusses Australia’s brutal and cruel border policies and the ongoing struggle faced by refugees and their families in their fight for basic human rights.An event hosted by the Refugee Action Collective called 'Why does Labor support corrupt and racist border policies?' Will be held at the Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre in Carlton on 18th March at 6.30pm.Next up on the show is Ilo Diaz, the advocacy coordinator for the Police Accountability Project, which is associated with Inner Melbourne Community Legal. Ilo reports back on the 17th of February Speak Out at Melbourne’s State Library that was held to commemorate the tragic death of 17 year old TJ Hickey, in 2014. The event was organised by mother of TJ, Gail Hickey, who is still seeking truth and justice for her son. The conversation also discusses topics such as police accountability and the failure of police mechanisms to adequately investigate police complaints. Last on the show, Marisa talks with Sarah Schwartz, who was a speaker at the TJ Hickey Speak Out, and is the manager of the Wirraway Police and Prison Accountability Practise at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, as well as a lecturer at the Melbourne Law School. Sarah talks about her work in taking action against the police, protecting the rights of prisoners, and coronial inquests into Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander deaths in custody. She has previously represented the family of Veronica Nelson, who died in custody in January 2020, and is currently attending court for the coronial inquest of Heather Calgaret who also died in custody on November 2021. They discuss these cases in terms of prison healthcare, Victoria’s harsh system of parole, and how this has lead to the violation of human rights and contributed to the mistreatment of people in prison.Since the Royal Commission into deaths in custody, there have been over 560 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody. Sarah highlights the bravery and determination of the families fighting for justice on behalf of their loved ones who have died in custody, and highlights the importance of such organisations as the Dhadjowa Foundation in supporting their struggle.

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time may contain audio images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have died, and discussion of Deaths in Custody.Firstly, Marisa speaks with Chris Breen, a high school teacher and active member of the Refugee Action Collective. Chris shares his first-hand experience of students and staff being censored against speaking out in support of Palestine. The second guest is First Nations activist and president of the Black People's Union, Keiran Stewart-Assheton. Keiran discusses the upcoming speak-out to commemorate TJ Hickey and raise awareness about Indigenous deaths in custody. 20 years after TJ hickey's death as a result of police action in 2004, the family of TJ Hickey is still being denied justice. The event will take place at Melbourne's State Library at 12pm on Saturday 17th February.

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time may contain audio images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have died, and discussion of Deaths in Custody.The first guest is Coordinator for Justice Action and spokesperson for the Prisoners Action Group, Brett Collins. In the context of his ongoing work in prisoner justice, Brett discusses the recent inquiry into Mental Health Services in NSW, the Computers in Cells project, the impact of detention on youth prisoners, and other topics.Next up on the show is Cheryl Klaufuss of the Indigenous Social Justice Association (ISJA), who joins Marisa to remember TJ Hickey on the 20th anniversary of his 2004 death as a result of police action. This episode is dedicated to TJ Hickey and his family, who 20 years after his death are still fighting for justice. A Speak-Out to commemorate his death and to bring awareness to Indigenous deaths in custody will be held at Melbourne's State Library at 12pm on Saturday 17th February.

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time may contain audio images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have died, and discussion of Deaths in Custody.In this special episode to mark this years Invasion Day, Marisa presents a selection of inspiring speeches from the event.

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time may contain audio images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have died, and discussion of Deaths in Custody.First on the show is Arif Hussein, Senior Lawyer at The Human Rights Law Centre. In the context of the submission to the Covid-19 Pandemic Response Inquiry, Arif discusses Australia's failures to consider human rights in law and policy-making, and provides an update on the campaign for an Australian Charter of Human Rights to challenge injustice and prevent human rights violations. Secondly, a proud Wani-Wandian man and member of the The Black People's Union, Keiran Stewart-Assheton, joins Marisa to talk about Invasion Day, the Block The Dock Naarm movement and standing in solidarity with the Palestinian People.

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time may contain audio images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have died, and discussion of Deaths in Custody.First on the show we hear from Sue-Anne Hunter. Sue-Ann is a proud Wurundjeri and Ngurai illum Wurrung woman, and the Deputy Chair and Commissioner of the Yoorook Justice Commission, as well as a professor of Global and Engagement at Federation University. She discusses the organisations work in addressing the historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Nation's people in all areas of life since colonisation. Second on the show is David Mejia-Canales, a Senior Lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre, joins Marisa to discuss South Australia's anti-protest laws and the erosion of our civil liberties. The Human Rights Law Centre is calling for governments across Australia to better protect protest rights, by releasing the “Declaration of Our Right to Protest”. The Declaration is grounded in human rights law, asserts the fundamental right to protest and offers ten practical steps to safeguard the right from further erosion.Last on the show, David Glanz of the Refugee Action Collective, brings us the latest news about refugees and asylum seekers.

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time may contain audio images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have died, and discussion of Deaths in Custody.In this special episode of Doin' Time, Marisa presents a showcase of some of the highlights of her many interviews with incredible guests throughout 2023.

*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time may contain audio images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have died, and discussion of Deaths in Custody.First on the show, Marisa speaks with Jenny Weather about her work at the Bob Brown Foundation and the case of Dr Collette Harsden, a Tasmanian veterinarian and environmental activist who was recently sentenced time in prison for peacefully defending Tasmania's native forests. Marisa is then joined by First Nation's activist and Change The Record Co-Chair Cheryl Axleby, to talk about the incarceration of children, and the campaign to raise the age of criminal responsibility across all states and jurisdictions in Australia. "Last year almost 500 children under the age of 14 languished behind bars, disproportionately Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children." Cheryl Axleby