OFF THE WIRE
JAIL authorities are preparing to segregate members of rival bikie clubs within
maximum-security units in Victoria's Barwon Prison amid a crackdown that will
see bikies jailed for up to five years under new anti-association
laws.
The Australian has learnt that the prison management has been
preparing space in its maximum-security units to house the bikies, including
members of the feuding Hells Angels and Bandidos clubs. This follows the
proclamation last week of Victoria's new anti-association laws, which will allow
police to go to the Supreme Court to seek the banning of deemed criminal
organisations.
Members who breach bans will face up to five years' jail
and the confiscation of property involved in the breach. Interstate orders will
be registered and enforced in Victoria.
The High Court upheld the
validity of similar laws in Queensland, and other states are expected to redraft
laws that will lead to a national anti-(*club*) framework. The federal
government has also announced plans to enact national anti-association
laws.
"The ridiculous thing about this new law is that you will be thrown
in jail for associating with your mates. In jail you will be associating with
your mates again and also other hardcore criminals. It makes no sense," a senior
bikie said.
It is expected that the new laws will boost the population of
bikies in jail, creating tensions between clubs in conflict on the
outside.
According to jail sources, authorities plan to house the rival
bikies in separate high-security units at Barwon so their paths will never
cross. Members of rival factions during Melbourne's gangland war were housed in
Barwon's Acacia unit and were allowed to mix with with two or three other
inmates. The method was successful until Carl Williams was killed by cellmate
Matthew Johnson in April 2010.
A spokesman for Corrections Victoria did
not deny the segregation plans but said there were "no plans to set up a
bikies-only facility".
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/jail-bosses-prepare-to-segregate-rival-bikies/story-e6frgczx-1226607158002
