Families Behind Bars
Stories of injustice, endurance and hope
|
NEW - Revised and Updated Edit ion - July 2011 |
Real life accounts. Uniquely inspirational, shockingly heartbreaking. YOU will appreciate just how fragile our lives really are!
This book covers a broad range of topics that
impact on whole communities. Most importantly it is an important reminder to us that no
matter who we are, the principle of rights and justice are worth defending.
We
are sometimes very quick to judge others. We condemn
them before we know the facts or truth about a matter. With arm
chair critics a plenty, there will always be varying opinions on a person’s
guilt or innocence, but what is worth remembering, is that for a society to
remain humane and righteous, for the sake of protecting the integrity of
society, it becomes vital that a person is dealt with justly, in a fair and
transparent way. That the legal, human and civil rights of a human being are stringently
defended. After all, the very concept of justice is not about what he said
or she said but rather, the moral rightness based on ethics,
rationality, law, natural law, religion, fairness, and equity, along with the
punishment of the breach of said ethics.
Families Behind Bars is fascinating, terrifying and heart wrenching. It is a poignant wake up call for everyone. It is about the resilience of families who endure despite the odds.
Revised Edition is Available from July 2011
Trade Enquiries:
New Holland
Publishers Australia
PH +61 2 8986 4700
Unit 1, 66 Gibbes Street,
Chatswood NSW 2067
Australia
|
What
research went into Families Behind Bars?
Families Behind Bars
is based on over a decade of my own personal case work as an advocate
for the Foreign Prisoner Support Service. Each story brings forth a
snapshot of some of the most tragic cases I have been involved with, both
in Australia and throughout the world. During this time, I have built
strong relationships with numerous human rights groups and those that
provide a vital service to prisoners and their families. I have also worked
extensively with
foreign security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies in some of
the most hostile environments on the planet. So the research that went
into this book is extensive and covers a broad range of issues that
affect families in specific circumstances, generally crisis situations.
Why did
you decide to write Families Behind Bars?
Following my return home to Australia, having
endured almost a year of unlawful detainment in a foreign prison, I began receiving pleas for help from families
who had loved ones in prison overseas. All were desperate for answers
on how to cope with foreign legal systems and governments that seemingly
had
no commitment to upholding human rights. I wrote this book for all those families who needed to have their voices heard; and to provide an important point of reference for anyone facing a similar crisis.
This book covers a broad range of topics that
impact on whole communities. Most importantly I wanted to remind people that no
matter who we are, the principle of rights and justice are worth defending. We
are sometimes very quick to judge others. We condemn
them before we know the facts or truth about a matter. With arm
chair critics a plenty, there will always be varying opinions on a person’s
guilt or innocence, but what is worth remembering, is that for a society to
remain humane and righteous, for the sake of protecting the integrity of
society, it becomes vital that a person is dealt with justly, in a fair and
transparent way. That the legal, human and civil rights of a human being are stringently
defended. After all, the very concept of justice is not about what he said
or she said but rather, the moral rightness based on ethics,
rationality, law, natural law, religion, fairness, and equity, along with the
punishment of the breach of said ethics.
How did
you go about revisiting many of the people serving time in international prisons?
I travel extensively so its not that difficult to access prisons. I also have direct communication with many prisoners families
who continue to keep me abreast of their situation. I receive letters
from prisoners all over the world. At times it is difficult keeping up
with it all but I have a great network of support myself, so generally
those who support families of prisoners tend to help each other carry the load.
How
does Families Behind Bars provide hope?
Hope
can mean many different things to many different people. Some hope for
good health and prosperity, others simply hope their children will do well in school
exams. Most of us hope that bad things won’t happen to us or to those we
love and, if they do, we hope that despite the difficulties,
we will endure. When we experience
fear we hope for courage and when we come up against the seemingly impossible,
we hope that we can overcome it.
Our hopes are often born amidst our darkest
moments when we, consciously or unconsciously, take that very first step
away from our problems. Hope whispers to us that the struggle we are
facing is
not hopeless, we just need to trust ourselves to find a way through,
whatever it is that is threatening to overwhelm us.
Families Behind Bars provides hope - in that each story shows a family's courage and that nothing is impossible if we
just believe in our capacity to endure and
overcome.
Are there any special acknowledgements you would like to make?
I really want to acknowledge the
support that I am given from my family, particularly my wonderful husband
Kerry, our three children, Jessica, Sahra and Nathan. I would also like to
salute all the humanitarian organisations, their volunteers, bloggers,
individuals, forum administrators, civil libertarians, human rights lawyers and
devoted advocates who selflessly give up their valuable time to assist families
and their loved ones through difficulties, especially those representing such
groups as the Foreign Prisoner Support Service, Cage Prisoners & Hhugs, Prisoners
Abroad (UK), Fair Trials International, Amnesty International, Innocence
Project, Prison Fellowship International and Reprieve. Your services are vital
to the international community.
Heartfelt thanks to my closest friends for always
encouraging me, particularly Tony Fox, Martin Hodgson, Murray Kidd and Aaron
Mangraviti.
New Holland
Publishers Australia
PH +61 2 8986 4700
Unit 1, 66 Gibbes Street,
Chatswood NSW 2067
Australia |
|
Martin Hodgs on is a Senior Advocate for Foreign Prisoner Support Service
with extensive experience, academic qualifications and knowledge of
International Politics, Middle Eastern Affairs and Death Penalty Issues. He has been invaluable support to me personally and to many families who have loved ones detained in foreign prisons.
'Ultimately I deeply believe in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and the essential importance that all receive a fair trial, are
equal before the law and are treated humanely during their
incarceration.'- Martin Hodgson, Senior Advocate FPSS
|
|
Stephen Kenny
Lawyer and winner
of the 2010 prestigious Justice Award for his commitment to promoting access to
justice, particularly for social and economically disadvantaged people.
"Most of us lead quiet, peaceful
lives in our safe suburban surrounds. On occasions however, individuals can
find themselves trapped in a terrifying situation beyond their control, where
their lives may be at stake. In moments like this, we are prone to making
promises about things we will do should we ever become free of that situation.
For those lucky enough to be freed and allowed to resume a normal life, many
simply put the drama—and their promises behind them. A few, however, keep their
promises. Kay Danes is one of those people."
|
C u r r e n t .... P u b l i c a t i o n s
|
