Some criminals are ostracised on both sides of the prison wall. In US prisons they are called short eyes; their gaze and mind-set never lifts higher than a child's height. In Australian prisons they are rock spiders; they hide behind the anonymity of darkness while weaving their webs to ensnare victims. Society calls them paedophiles.
Despite the labels, individuals who ruin children's lives rarely receive the maximum penalty. Only three offenders convicted of child sexual crimes in the past seven years have received the maximum sentence in Queensland. Those who do receive custodial sentences are placed in protective custody. Categorised as 'psychologically disturbed individuals' rather than convicted felons, they are kept isolated from mainstream population. This category ensures they receive a cushy ride through the prison system.
Ninety per cent of serious sex offenders failed to complete treatment programs before being released from Queensland jails in 2002. Only six of the 72 sex offenders whose prison terms ended in 2001-02 had completed such a program. 468 serious sex offenders were released into the community since 1999, despite refusing such treatment. 6.4 per cent of sex offenders released in 1997-98 re-offended within four years.
Queensland's $127 million, state-of-the-art male supergrass jail, Wolston Correctional Centre (Wally World), houses rock spiders. They share Wally World with the State's jailyard dogs (criminal/prisoner informers) who serve their time in protective custody under a relaxed regime of incarceration. Although the prison is also segmented to isolate Queensland's female prisoner population it is largely populated by protected male prisoners who regard Wally World as a reward. It is their ticket to lower security classifications, prison farms and parole; guaranteed concessions not available in other maximum security jails.
The exclusion of rock spiders from the predominant criminal class, combined with their former social standing in the community, that makes them compliant and manageable prisoners in protective custody. This guarantees a trouble-free environment for Queensland prison authorities who prefer to handle that calibre of prisoner.
