Eddy, Gill and Libby
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
‘I cannot let our son rot in prison.’
When Eddy was born the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck, restricting oxygen to his brain and damaging his frontal lobes.
As a child, a family member sexually abused him. His behaviour became ‘more difficult’, his mother Libby told the Royal Commission, and he became withdrawn.
She says Eddy’s ‘biggest problem’ is impulse control. If he sees something lying around he will take it. When Libby or Eddy’s father Gill ask him why, he says ‘it was there’.
At high school, Eddy was disruptive and would get into fights. The school would isolate him in a ‘quiet room’ and he spent most days alone. He started running away and lived on the streets.
Eddy ‘got into drugs big time’, stole cars and in his late teens went to prison.
No-one involved in the justice process understood Eddy, his disability or ‘what to do with him,’ Gill said. And there were no programs to support him in prison.
Now late 40s, Eddy has been incarcerated for nearly 30 years.
One time he was part of a release program and lived in supported accommodation. Gill said the support workers were young, not well trained and didn’t speak much English. Eddy struggled to communicate with them.
The provider garnished Eddy’s Disability Support Pension to pay for living costs and gave him $20 a day for tobacco. ‘I can’t emphasise enough the value and importance that [Eddy] places on his tobacco. It’s everything to him. It’s his world,’ Gill said.
One day Eddy asked for his payment a day in advance. When the workers refused, Eddy became upset and threatened them with violence. He didn’t hurt them, but was charged with multiple offences.
Eddy was sent to a secure mental health unit. Staff supported him and successfully advocated for him to be considered unfit to plead.
He then went to a facility for people who have been charged with a crime but found unfit to plead.
Gill and Libby were hopeful Eddy would be well supported, but he rapidly deteriorated physically and mentally.
Gill begged the centre director to let Eddy have his tobacco pouch.
‘[Eddy] was looking at the clock all the time, his anxiety was rising, his frustration, waiting for a cigarette.’
Eventually things became too much and Eddy damaged some property, demanding to be sent to prison so he could smoke his own cigarettes.
Eddy is back in prison.
This NDIS has approved a package, but won’t release funding, organise housing or support staff until they have a prison release date. The board won’t provide a release date without funding and a support plan.
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.