Prisoner warns COVID-19 ‘criminals’ to obey rules
Zac Jones was jailed over a drug-fuelled crash in Vermont that risked the lives of his passengers. In a letter written from his prison cell, he tells young Victorians who disobey COVID-19 orders are “criminal just like me”.
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A prisoner jailed over a high-speed crash while high on drugs has urged young Victorians to obey lockdown orders or be a “a criminal just like me”.
In a letter written from his jail cell at Fulham Correctional Centre, Zac Jones, 24, said his time behind bars has taught him actions can have lethal consequences and that young people must take the coronavirus pandemic seriously.
“It doesn’t take a bad person to hurt someone. You don’t even need the intention to hurt someone. All it takes is a selfish attitude and a momentary lapse in judgment.” he said.
“I know how easy it is to accidentally endanger the lives of many, without even knowing you are doing it.
“Going about your daily life as if the world isn’t currently in a state of emergency is nothing short of recklessness and is the height of selfishness.”
Jones was drunk and high on cannabis when he drove at 140km/h through a red light and became airborne before crashing his car in Vermont in December 2017.
He did not listen as his three passengers screamed for him to slow down and now lives with the reality he could have killed them.
Jones, serving a four-year-nine-month jail term, said isolation can be a “blessing in disguise” and young Victorians should embrace this opportunity.
“I understand how hard isolation can be (but) you would not believe what you can accomplish in your own company,” he said.
“In 12 months I’ve read countless books, become proficient at guitar, gained 30 kgs of lean muscle, written a book, written and composed an album and learned to meditate, something I’ve never been able to sit still long enough to do.
“The point is isolation has not and will not kill me. But COVID-19 possibly could.
“It’s only temporary and if everyone does their part, it will be over sooner rather than later.”
He labelled those who spread the deadly virus, intentionally or not, as “criminal”.
“Whether you meant to or not is irrelevant actions have consequences and just because you didn’t intend to commit a crime doesn’t mean you aren’t a criminal,” he said.
Jones and his mother, Jane Jones, have co-written a book, WTF!? Why The Fallen, about Jones’ life of drugs and crime and his journey toward rehabilitation.
Jones writes from prison and his drafts are photocopied by guards and sent to his mother who has put together the book.
Ms Jones said: “It’s a really difficult situation because I am completely heartbroken because I can’t see him but am so proud of the person he is becoming”.
@AneekaSimonis