Sue Neill-Fraser in solitary confinement, says daughter Sarah Bowles

The alleged reason for Sue Neill-Fraser’s placement in solitary confinement has been revealed as supporters call the punishment “absolute bullying”.

A LETTER penned about “a day in the life” of a female prisoner is understood to be the reason convicted murderer Sue Neill-Fraser has been sent to solitary confinement.

The letter, which details Neill-Fraser’s daily experiences at the Mary Hutchinson Women’s Prison, was published on a supporter’s website on Thursday.

Former premier Lara Giddings, who has publicly stepped forward as a Neill-Fraser supporter in the past week and as a key agitator behind calls to reopen her murder appeal, said she understood the letter had been seen as a “security breach”.

Ms Giddings also said the disciplinary action could be connected to the raising of the case in the Legislative Council last week by independent Mersey MLC Mike Gaffney.

Lara Giddings says sending Neill-Fraser to solitary confinement is “bullying”. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

He threw his weight behind calls to provide the Court of Criminal Appeal with evidence Neill-Fraser’s supporters claim prove her innocence.

“The coincidence of the timing of all this is extraordinary. It is absolute bullying,” Ms Giddings told the Mercury.

“This is like intimidation. The message feels like if you go stirring the pot, we will take it out on Sue Neill-Fraser.

“We feel she’s being punished for the activities we’ve been undertaking on her behalf in trying to get this miscarriage of justice examined.”

Neill-Fraser’s letter describes her morning routines, exercise and medication dispensation, her role as a prison peer mentor and in helping other women in the justice system, and her views on mental health issues, lockdowns and Covid restrictions behind bars.

‘DISTRESSED’: NEILL-FRASER IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT

SUE Neill-Fraser’s daughter says her mother has been in put in solitary confinement in prison and had her privileges removed.

Sarah Bowles said she visited her mother on Saturday in the maximum section of the prison and was told she had been placed in solitary confinement for five days, not allowed phone calls for 21 days and had privileges taken away.

“This is a huge step backwards, she’s in a wheelchair and is very distressed but also resigned to it,” Mrs Bowles said.

The government says it cannot comment on individual prisoners.

Neill-Fraser has been in custody since 2009 after the murder of her partner Bob Chappell.

Sue Neill-Fraser arrives for a court appearance. Picture: BRUCE MOUNSTER

Her move to solitary confinement comes after her case was this week raised in the Legislative Council by independent Mersey MLC Mike Gaffney and Police Commissioner Darren Hine defended the police investigation and accused Neill-Fraser’s supporters of using “selective arguments” in her defence.

Former premier Lara Giddings, who tweeted about the solitary confinement, questioned the timing of the action.

Sue Neill-Fraser has been put into solitary confinement for five days - no visitors or phone calls for 21 days - why Minister? #politas#MiscarriageOfJustice#InterestingTiming

— Lara Giddings (@LaraGiddings) September 4, 2021

“The Minister must explain why this has happened,” she said.

“It is also extraordinary that the Police Commissioner has weighed in and my only question for him is: has he read the Selby and Etter papers?

“If he has, does he stand by his comments?”

Mr Gaffney tabled “critical papers” by barrister High Selby and former Integrity Commission CEO Barbara Etter.

He did not want to comment on the case further but said he had received “quite a bit of public feedback” both for and against Neill-Fraser.

“My idea was to raise the profile of the case and make sure it was adequately investigated,” Mr Gaffney said.

Former Tasmanian premier Lara Giddings says the Minister must explain what has happened.

Rosie Crumpton-Crook, president of the Sue Neill-Fraser Support Group, said it seemed when her case was raised it resulted in punishment.

“It is all very sudden. Sue is a model prisoner and I can’t believe she would do anything that would warrant such a severe penalty,” she said.

“The comments by the Police Commissioner were the most extraordinary I’ve ever seen.”

Prisoners Legal Service chair Greg Barns was surprised by Neill-Fraser being put in solitary confinement.

“To place a long-term prisoner who is in her late 60s in solitary is just cruel and inhumane,” Mr Barns said.

A second appeal by Neill-Fraser is being considered by the Court of Criminal Appeal with a decision yet to be handed down.