Prisoners losing big bucks to heavies in jailhouse card games

An prisoner was stabbed in Barwon Prison over a debt racked up in a card game, with fears thugs inside are using gambling debts to manipulate weaker inmates.

Prisoners who develop debts can be coerced into trafficking contraband.

Prisoners are building big gambling debts to heavies inside the state’s prisons.

The Herald Sun has been told one inmate was stabbed on Monday because he owed money lost in jailhouse card games.

He was set upon on in maximum security Barwon Prison, near Geelong, by a group of fellow criminals.

The injured prisoner was taken to hospital for treatment and the incident is under investigation by Victoria Police.

Corrections authorities are yet to establish the exact motive for the stabbing.

One prison source said it was not the only episode of gambling-related violence in recent times.

Some inside the prison system believe playing cards should be banned because of the potential for conflict.

“You can’t stop prisoners from playing cards unless the GM (general manager) or department outlaw them. It’s a matter of catching them gambling,” a prison source said.

Prisoners who develop debts can be coerced into trafficking contraband . Picture: Mark Stewart

“They often have look outs in the wing or tiers to alert when officers are approaching.

“Often you may find tick sheets which are prisoner debts owed to whomever is running the racket. Often it’s the heavies.”

Prison authorities have long tried to keep a lid on gambling because of the potential for money-related violence.

Prisoners who develop debts can be coerced into trafficking contraband or other illegal activities to clear them.

Families of prisoners can also be dragged in to bail out inmates who owe money.

“The prisoner owing the debt sometimes gets their family member to add the racketeer onto their visitor list … allows them to input money into a prisoners’ account,” the prison source said.

“If they can’t pay either a group of heavies will reprise against them, assault or stab them or make threats against their loved ones on the outside with connections like bikies and gangs.”

The source said playing cards have also been used as a jailhouse gang symbol.

“There have been security concerns based around playing cards at the Metropolitan Remand Centre over recent years where there was perceived gang affiliations related to assaults,” the source said.

“The prisoner would display a joker card in their cell window or within their cell.”

Gambling is considered a prison offence and can lead to removal of privileges or fines.

A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokeswoman said Corrections Victoria has “zero tolerance to any acts of violence” and all incidents are referred to police.

“Gambling is not allowed in any correctional facility in Victoria and any prisoner found to have engaged in gambling activity may face a range of disciplinary sanctions,” the spokeswoman said.