Visiting Schapelle Corby in Kerobokan jail Bali - part I

Tuesday I grabbed my information gathering equipment (camera, tape recorder and 3 tapes) and headed off to see who I could talk to at Kerobokan jail. The first on my list was Schapelle Corby who has been the center of media attention over the last month. To get to the jail from Kuta take the Sunset Rd to the end and turn right onto Jl. Raya Kerobokan. At the traffic light turn right and after maybe 300 meter you will see the entrance on the right side. Visiting hours are from 9am-12 noon and from 1pm-3pm. I showed up at 1.30pm and a small crowd was outside waiting for their chance to get in. We each took a small number tag from the outside desk and waited our turn. Groups of people are allowed to take one ticket and all follow along under that so you can imagine there is some chaos trying to figure out exactly who is next.

The notice board has a list of security requirements including dress code. You have to be dressed smartly with no shorts allowed. I was wearing shorts and thought maybe this meant I could not get in. Its not a problem, said one of the other Indonesian visitors, Just government rules, but nobody pays attention to them.

Once inside the small reception area I had to hand over all electrical items, camera, cell phone, palm pilot and show some ID. Everyone around me seemed familiar with the routine and were relaxed. The officer at the desk asked me who I there to see and I hastily wrote the name of one of the Bali Nine. The officer told they are not here right now (Kerobokan police station is where they are being held ) and I wrote Schapelles name. A 50-year old French lady standing next to me translated my request to the officer and told me Schapelle has asked not to talk to anyone. That is pretty silly, I thought, as this is her moment in the spotlight. Six months from now she is going to be screaming out for press attention. The French lady asked if I wanted to just visit a foreigner and suggested a 50-year-old guy from Britain. "He never gets any visitors", she said. So I filled out Bob (I will refer to him as Bob) on the slip and was shown in the next office where my bag was searched. After that I passed through to the outside garden area that is used for visits with the French lady. She was immediately greeted by a younger man who I identified as her son. They went off and I found a shady spot. Sitting on the white tile corridor were families, men women and children all visiting someone inside. The frequency of tattoos and missing teeth was higher than normal and I am sure the IQ level dropped a couple of digits too.

After handing my slip to the guards inside I waited patiently on the tiled floor for Bob to be brought out. Sitting waiting I observed a smartly dressed Muslim man being brought out for about 10 relatives who were dressed smartly too. The ladies, wearing the traditional Muslim attire smiled and acknowledged me. I wondered how they felt about a relative of their being in prison, Islam having a strict code of conduct.

Drink vendors were set up just inside the entrance and I bought a couple of fruits teas for Bob and I. When he finally walked out I called him over and he said he was very surprised to get visitor as that never happens. He sat and we chatted. Bob is 50 and looks the worse for wear. Working in the marine engineering business he has been all over the world and wound up in Kerobokan after witnessing a drug transaction between 2 other people. One of the 2 was a friend who denied Bob had anything to do with the deal, but that did not matter. He was considered an accomplice. Originally sentenced to 12 years in prison, Bob found a Solution to get that reduced to 5. He hopes to be out in August after phase 2 of his Solution.

I asked him how life was inside and he said nothing much ever happens. I said, "How are the guards and the other inmates?" He said, "We do not really have anything to do with the guards, they just patrol the perimeter and make sure nobody escapes. Its the inmates who run the jail." I could not believe that and asked him how the inmates got food. "There is no food," he said, "You have to arrange your own food." "How do you do that?" I asked. "By paying for it," he said. Bob said that he has people send him money from overseas, including his brother who lives in Hong Kong. Indonesian convicts get their relatives to bring them food. "Look its like the jungle man, if you can still throw a spear you will survive." he said.

"What kind of food can you get hold of if you have the cash?" I said. "Anything you want man." he replied. "They will just go and get it." "What about alcohol?" I said. "Yeah that too, he said. What about a bottle of whiskey? I asked. No problem." he said. "Okay what if you wanted to go out for the day, maybe to the beach, is that possible?" I said. "Sure it is." he said. "If you have 1m rp you can leave at 10am, back at 5pm with 2 guards of course." Wow I thought! Now I have no way of confirming this is true, only that a stranger told it to me.