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Episode 750
It's 3 months since Joan was escorted off the prison grounds in a police car to do her time in Western Australia. Life has more than moved on inside Wentworth. The prison reforms are working well and the prisoners have a lot more say in how the prison is run.
Top Dog Kath Maxwell has most of the women on side, but prisoner Edwina Steele is slowly proving very difficult. The women still don't know this but Edwina swapped places with Joan - she used to be a prison officer in Western Australia and was transferred for her own protection. Having spent over a month in solitary and isolation she has only been allowed to mix with the other women for a short time and hasn't really made an effort. Edwina is in her mid 50's, rather old fashioned but very short with people - she has made it plain that she doesn't want to have anything to do with anyone but some of the women don't like that and are beginning to taunt her. It's only a matter of time before the truth about her gets out...
Bikie Rita Connors has been transferred to a low security prison hospital. She is still very ill and doesn't have much time left. Alice Jenkins, her friend for life, was allowed to move with her to help see out her final days. Alice hasn't decided what she's going to do when Rita doesn't wake up - she thinks that coming back to Wentworth might be too much for her.
Prisoner Helen Stevens has started making her own 'grog' in the reward cell but rather foolishly hasn't told anyone else about it.
A decision was made by the Department in this episode to not rebuild Blackmoor at it's current site. The Blackmoor system simply didn't work. Wentworth is to be upgraded to a maximum security prison and will be extensively modernised and extended to cope with the extra inmates and security measures that will be necessary. Work is about to begin, as usual the women will be kept in the dark for as long as possible. They won't realise that there's a huge chance that most of them will be split up and moved to different prisons, including the new Helmslough Detention Centre which will take over from Wentworth - as it takes over from Blackmoor.
It's all change at the Department too. Minister Dwyer has been pushed out of his position and replaced and there's now a position available as Head of the Department. Wentworth Governor Ann Reynolds is seriously considering applying, however this would mean a new Governor for Wentworth. Governors from Barnhurst, Woodridge and Pentridge have all expressed an interest in looking after Wentworth - especially Vera Bennett who is itching to prove herself back in her old home. Of course, a Governor will also be needed for Helmslough when it's ready to be used.
Although Wentworth has got rid of Joan, they are to acquire Cynthia Leach who is due to return from long-term sick leave very soon.
Wally Wallace has returned to Wentworth and is employed by the Department as handy-man, but doubles up as pottery teacher which the women are really beginning to enjoy. Some of them are getting quite good too - surprisingly Merle Jones has improved greatly and her work is, although very strange to look at, very well made.
The prison newspaper has started up again with Lisa Mullins at the helm as editor. For old times sake the paper is called "The Stir" and even Mrs Pringle is writing her own column. The women need a big story for the next issue and are having trouble coming up with ideas. Lisa has some news of her own but hasn't let on to anyone yet - she's pregnant.
One of the latest new arrivals at Wentworth is Amanda Spencer. She was one of Melbourne's most wanted drug dealers until she was caught last week... She made thousands of dollars on the outside pushing drugs but then got greedy and began selling dirty drugs - laced with animal medicines and anti-biotics which caused series illness to anyone who took them. She's not your average drug dealer however - aged in her early 40's and very posh. The women are beginning to question her story about credit card fraud.
The end of this episode saw the arrival of two new prisoners which Wentworth has never had to deal with before - identical twins... totally identical. The scene ended as they both entered Reception as Meg and Delia looked on in amazement...
© 2004 On The Inside
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