AN INVESTIGATION is under way into claims a prisoner is operating a clothing business from the Mount Gambier Prison via unauthorised internet access.
The State Opposition has alleged former prison guard Daniel Grant Nelson, who is currently serving a two and a half year sentence for assaulting his former partner and her new boyfriend, is running the business behind bars.
A court has heard the site has become “almost exclusively a clothing and sticker distributor” for individuals involved in mild to moderate antisocial activities.
A post on FTL Inc’s Facebook page from July 14 promotes a competition directing entries to Nelson at Mount Gambier Prison.
The post encourages followers to send artwork to Nelson, with the winner receiving a piece of FTL clothing.
The page lists a range of items featuring a crudely drawn graffiti “tag” as being available to purchase, with prices ranging from $20 for boyleg underwear to $50 for hoodies.
Shadow Correctional Services Minister Lee Odenwalder said while he was unable to provide solid proof whether Nelson was accessing the internet, it appeared he was involved in the business “on some level”.
In sentencing, District Court judge Jack Costello said Nelson had established the FTL Facebook page some two years ago after being disillusioned by authorities, particularly police.
The brand initials have been claimed to stand for F*** The Law, however the Facebook page suggests it may also refer to Feel the Love, Full Time Loco, Full Throttle Lunatics and Family, Trust, Loyalty.
While the prosecution submitted material from the Facebook page to Judge Costello subsequent to his trial, he accepted the material was some two years old and accepted “that since this time things have
changed”.
Mr Odenwalder said Judge Costello’s remarks “make it clear” Nelson was involved in the business in the past.
“The judge was led to believe he left this behind,” he said.
“It now appears he is involved.
“He is named on the Facebook site and there is an invitation to send things to Mount Gambier Prison.
“It is completely and utterly unacceptable for a prisoner to be running a business from prison and promoting their wares on Facebook.
“This violent thug should be paying the price for his crimes, not profiting while behind bars.”
Correctional Services Minister Corey Wingard said he had directed the Correctional Services Department to look into the matter and determine the veracity of the claim.
Mr Wingard said he was surprised to learn of the allegations, adding if Mr Odenwalder had conclusive information about the matter it was unacceptable he did not raise it earlier.
“Mr Odenwalder’s claim that an inmate in Mount Gambier Prison is involved in some sort of clothing business with offensive and derogatory branding was news to me when I heard this claim yesterday,” he said.
“The Department of Correctional Services treats allegations of this kind very seriously and if there is any evidence that a prisoner has been unlawfully operating a business whilst incarcerated, then the matter will be referred to SAPOL,” he said.
“The prisoner concerned may also be subject to disciplinary action under the Correctional Services Act.”
A department spokesperson said no prisoner in the state’s correctional system had access to the internet or social media.
