Prisoner successfully transferred from Thailand to Western Australia

7/12/07
Twice-convicted heroin trafficker Holly Deane-Johns is now at Bandyup Women's Prison in Perth after being transferred from Thailand.

Under an agreement reached with the Thai and Federal Government, Ms Deane-Johns will serve five years in jail in Western Australia with a further five years' parole once released. She had been in prison in Thailand since August 2000 and when eventually released, she will have served more than 12 years in prison.
Ms Deane-Johns was sentenced in 2003 to 31 years in Thailand's notorious 'Bangkok Hilton' for attempting to smuggle heroin and possession of heroin. She was arrested after trying to send an envelope containing 10.4g of pure heroin to Australia. In the 1990s, she served five years at Bandyup Prison for conspiracy to import drugs, importing heroin and possessing heroin. She also has WA convictions for stealing offences.
In September 2006, Corrective Services Minister Margaret Quirk initially refused to consent to the transfer on the basis of information provided at the time, such as Ms Deane-Johns' lack of family support in WA and her past prison record. The recidivist nature of her offending weighed against approving her transfer.
The Minister later agreed to the transfer when additional information was provided. This included that Ms Deane-Johns' health would be seriously compromised in the Thai prison and a number of community members had volunteered to provide ongoing support and would assist in her rehabilitation.
The Minister only consented to the transfer after the Federal Government agreed that Ms Deane-Johns serve five years' imprisonment on her return, with a further five years' parole upon her release. The Federal Government had originally proposed that Ms Deane-Johns only serve a further three years and six months in prison.
"Holly Deane-Johns is one of 181 prisoners at Bandyup Prison and she will be treated the same as everyone else," Ms Quirk said.
"Ms Deane-Johns will serve five years in WA and undergo appropriate programs so that when she is eventually released, she will not reoffend and will become a useful member of society."
Minister's office - 9213 7000