Michael Blanc: Lifer in Bali jail
Michael Blanc is a 33 year old Frenchman languishing in Kerobokan jail along with Schapelle Corby and a whole host of other undesirables. When I went to Kerobokan jail in 2005 to interview a prisoner, I talked to his mother, who helped me get in. I had no idea who she was, but figured he was her son when they embraced.
Michael Blanc was arrested 6 years ago with 3.8kgs of hashish. His sentence, life imprisonment, or as the French put it, à la détention à perpétuité. There are French language sites in his support and his mother.
has moved out to Bali to be with him everyday. Can you imagine the thoughts that go through his mind. He gets to see high profile people like Schapelle Corby, the Bali Nine and others. Some leave, some get old with him and other might be executed some time in the future.
I think Michael would be an interested person to interview. If you are visiting Kerobokan jail (popular with Aussie tourists) and can’t get to see any of the high profile people, you might asak to talk to Michael. Remember to bring a small something, whether it be cash, food, clothies, soap etc.
By Nick | Permalink
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Comments
Did he admit he did it or is he saying he’s innocent?
I am off to Bali on 3 February. I really wanted to visit my fellow Australians in gaol. On a positive note, I have written to Schapelle and four of the Bali Nine (the four drug mules). On a negative note, getting information about how to get into Kerobokan Prison to visit anyone has been well nigh impossible.
From the Foreign Prisoner Support Service - a great website for matters pertaining to foreign prisons - I have learned that Schapelle has been deluged with support in the form of money donated, gifts, letters, etc. This is excellent, but I hope all these supporters aren’t bandwagon hoppers who have hopped on merely because of the Supreme Court decision (which shockingly increased Schapelle’s sentence by 5 years to 20 years). I have been following Schapelle’s case from the beginning and I am in this for the long term.
I contacted the Victorian branch Schapelle support group for info on what to take to Schapelle in prison; so far no response. Nick - you have actually got into Kerobokan and have visited some prisoners including Schapelle. Can you tell me how to get into Kerobokan Prison and what ‘gifts’ should I bring that would be of most practical use?
Cheers,
Bali First-timer
the most practical gift would be a hacksaw…
Hello! There is aboslutely no problem to get inside Kerobokan as a visitor. I spent a whole day there last month. I will write a new post tomorrow, (getting late here now). So don´t worry, you will be very surprised to see how good it is in there!!!!! Believe me!
Have you ever thought that maybe some of these prisons may want some privacy and don’t want to be treated as a tourist attraction. By all means send your letters and drop off some food or drinks but don’t intrude. There is also a sign at the prison which says NO reporters allowed!!
yea go with the monkey tour and visit kerobokan jail…