Notorious armed robber Anthony John Smith enters ninth day of hunger strike at Port Augusta Prison

Family of a notorious armed robber has accused the Department for Correctional Services of denying him his “basic human rights”.

2009 Anthony John Smith prison mugshot. Picture: Supplied

Notorious armed robber Anthony John Smith is entering his ninth day without food, undertaking a hunger-strike after being relocated from Yatala Labour Prison to Port Augusta last week.

Smith has served 24 years of a 30-year sentence, after he pleaded guilty to multiple armed robberies committed in 1999 and 2000.

Anthony John Smith‘s relative posted on social media expressing concerns for his health and wellbeing saying he was “mentally and emotionally” affected after not eating since Wednesday last week. Picture: Supplied

On Wednesday, a relative of his posted on social media expressing concerns for his health and wellbeing, and said he was “mentally and emotionally” affected after not eating since Wednesday last week.

“The last time I spoke to him was yesterday afternoon around 2.15pm (Wednesday),” his relative said.

“He was on his seventh day without food, struggling both mentally and emotionally (and) his wellbeing has been at high risk for days.

“This situation is about more than just a transfer, it highlights the ongoing injustices and inhumane treatment he has endured.”

The Department for Correctional Services (DCS) has refused to say why Smith was transferred to Port Augusta Prison.

His relative accused the Department of Correctional Services of denying Smith his “basic human rights” of not being given the opportunity of rehabilitation, having served more than 7 years in total out of his 30 years in 23-hour lockdown.

“There has been no real progress regarding Tony’s situation for as long as I can remember,” she said.

Anthony John Smith was nicknamed “the Artful Dodger” by the public and media for his ability to escape from custody. Picture: Supplied

“Any slight advancements have come at a significant cost to us.

“Due to classifications and other constraints, such as not being deemed eligible for medium security programs or release-ready programs, we have faced numerous obstacles.”

In February 2003, District Court Judge Ann Vanstone, sentenced Smith to 12 years for robbing the Buckingham Arms hotel at Walkerville, 7 1/2 years for robbing an ANZ bank and 18 years for a robbery at Myrtle Bank, totalling 37 1/2 years’ jail.

However, Judge Vanstone reduced that to 30 years so as not to be “crushing” under SA law, and then imposed an 18-year non-parole period.

In early 1999, Smith was escorted under guard to see his father in the Royal Adelaide Hospital but escaped by running through the parklands and catching a taxi.

During his subsequent offending, until early 2000, Smith took on something of folk hero status in the SA community.

Anthony John Smith’s 2001 prison mugshot. Picture: Supplied

He was nicknamed “the Artful Dodger” by the public and media for his ability to escape from custody, evade arrest and use disguises to commit his crimes.

Prior to Smith’s arrest in February 2000, rumours spread through SA that police had been ordered to “shoot him on sight” and “shoot to kill”.

Smith has been held in high security since, having made several attempts to escape.

In 2021, he was refused parole despite having completed his 18-year non-parole period.

The DCS has been contacted for comment.