Brent Simpson has spent his fair share of time behind bars but nothing could have prepared him for the hell of Queensland’s ‘Covid-safe’ prison system.
As a former sergeant-at-arms of the Bandidos bikie gang, prison has long been a familiar stomping ground for the ‘reformed’ 45-year old.
But in March the father of four found himself back behind bars after police pounced on him over his alleged involvement in a 13-year old murder.
Brent Simpson rolled with the Bandidos before changing his wicked ways
Simpson recently spent time behind bars in the Queensland prison system. He didn’t like it
Simpson has been driving trucks to keep afloat. He claims harsh bail conditions mean he can no longer drive
Speaking to fellow former crook David Obeda, who runs a YouTube channel called The Felon Show, Simpson provided a chilling insight to what inmates face behind bars in Australia’s most northern state.
‘I tell you what, there is no way in the world, even though the time that you’ve done and the experience you’ve had yourself, it’s not like that anymore,’ Simpson said.
Obeda founded the notorious jailhouse gang G-Fam in Melbourne before being deported by federal authorities back to New Zealand for his crimes.
It was members of G-Fam that stabbed and almost killed Melbourne gangster Tony Mokbel inside Barwon Prison in 2019.
‘Because of Covid, everything is so, just locked down. Everyone is segregated,’ Simpson said.
Upon entering a Brisbane watch house, Simpson said inmates are required to enter an ‘airlock’ where they are provided a mattress located directly next to the toilet upon a concrete slab.
‘That’s it and it’s so f**king full at the moment, even in the actual jail at Arthur Gorrie, everything was two-out (jail cell with two inmates). So what was one-out, forget it,’ Simpson said.
Simpson spent 10 days in the watch house before he was moved to Arthur Gorrie, which is southern Queensland’s largest remand prison.
‘There’s no yard, there’s no nothing at all. It’s all artificial air, lights are on 24/7 … and basically that’s it. You’re locked 24/7. And it’s just a head f**k,’ he said of the watch house.
Simpson was a guest on ‘The Felon Show’ which is hosted by former Melbourne gang leader David Obeda
Former Swan Barry Hall with Brent Simpson (right)
Under the Covid rules, Simpson said prisoners are not even entitled to a phone call.
‘It used to be when you go into custody that you used to get that one call, to a loved one or something to let them know where you are. They’re not obliged to give you a call anymore,’ Simpson said.
‘In the Queensland system up here, you get f**king Jack S**t. Nothing.’
Simpson claimed a sign on the walls alerts inmates that they may only make a phone call ‘if (they) see fit or can accommodate’ one.
Upon spending 10 days locked in the watch house, Simpson was forced to spend another 14 days in isolation upon being moved to the remand centre.
Simpson, who grew up in New South Wales, spent a good part of 14 years behind bars in that state.
‘I was very familiar with how that system ran … Up here, you’re going into the Bronx and you’re going to go into the battle pit, but the way that it’s structured, it’s just different,’ Simpson said.
Simpson (pictured) has done hard time in NSW prisons, but claims QLD is next level
Brent Simpson (centre) was a big wheel with the Bandidos as a younger man
Former Bandido Brent Simpson claims he is on the straight and narrow, but claims cops won’t leave him alone
‘It’s not the same mindset. It’s a head game. The whole thing up here in Queensland is mind games and it’s something that they just love doing.’
Simpson said inmates who swore or carried on could expect ramifications.
During an eight week stint inside, Simpson estimates he spent just 36 hours outside of his cell.
During that time he described a warzone, where gangs would punch on the moment they laid eyes upon each other.
Simpson said the prison was awash with drugs.
‘I just left everyone to themselves, you know do the methadone shuffle … people are still sitting there having three or four out having (drug) shots in the yard. It’s just f**king putrid,’ he said.
‘Spitting up their tablets of methadone. It still happens. It’s just how it is. It’s jail. It just makes you sick.’
Simpson had made headlines over recent years for turning his life around and dedicating his life to charity.
In 2016, Simpson cycled his push-bike from the Gold Coast to Perth to raise awareness and money for his not-for-profit charity, Heavy Hiterz.
He now runs a popular podcast called ‘The Clink’ in which he speaks to a variety of crooks and cops.
He had been working as an interstate truck driver when detectives swooped on him after a long run.
Now free on bail, Simpson claims harsh conditions have been placed on him in an effort to stop him working as a truck driver.
He now plans to launch his own lawn mowing business in the hope of keeping his family afloat and paying his hefty legal bills.
Simpson maintains his innocence over the latest charges.
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