
An Impossible Middle Ground Introduction


‘The Box 1’

'Dad's Room'

‘Best Dad’

Athletic ribbons marking achievements made by the young daughter of an incarcerated father. The ribbons were kept in a small box containing keepsakes and reminders that she had collected while he was inside. She kept them here because he was absent for the occasions on account of being in prison. Shortly after this image was taken her father was informed that he would be deported on account of his foreign nationality (New Zealand) and his criminal record as part of Australia’s “Deportation of Non-Citizens” policy.

'The Box 2'
A drawing by an incarcerated father of three of the non-contact or 'box' visiting area in a prison near Brisbane, Australia. The 'box' is often used as a punitive tool for prisoners, but also for visitors. Those who test positive for illicit substances on their hands or clothing during routine screening have their contact visit revoked and are given a 'box' visit instead.

'Visitation'
The contact visitation area at a correctional centre near Brisbane, Australia.

The children’s play area in the contact visit section of a prison near Brisbane, Australia. The area is home to 5 prisons, including a youth detention facility, all within a 5-kilometre radius. Each week (mainly on weekends) hundreds of family members and friends drive or take public transport, with some travelling interstate from neighbouring New South Wales in order to visit.

This image was taken by a family member outside of a correctional centre near Brisbane, Australia prior to a visit with his father. The image has been pixelated to protect the child's identity.

A young woman speaks of visits with her incarcerated partner at a prison near Brisbane, Australia.

'I just wanted him, but he couldn't be there'