An investigation into an alleged assault against another Yatala prisoner has led to one Hells Angels bikie being one of three Yatala inmates. This left him with “grotesque” jailhouse tattoos.
It will be interesting to see that detectives are also investigating whether the inmate falsified details of the incident, falsely claiming he was drugged or sexually assaulted.
Sources informed The Advertiser that the police investigation has not found any evidence to support the prisoner’s claims that he was drugged and sexually assaulted.
However, jail officer Yatala searched several cells in F Division on February 19, the day after the inmate reported the incident. They found an illegal tattoo gun and some needles that were used to tattoo the inmate’s abdomen, chest, and thighs.
Additional searches were conducted the next day and additional tattoo gun needles, gloves, and alcohol swabs were found.
Three prisoners, alleged to be involved in the incident by the inmate, were separated and moved to Yatala’s high-security G Division.
David Brown, Chief Governing Officer of Correctional Companies declined to discuss Tuesday the progress made in the investigation that he had directed.
He stated, “It would be inappropriate to comment at this stage.”
Final Friday, Mr. Brown described the allegations as “deeply disturbing“.
“When such allegations arise, it’s considered a felony matter, and SAPOL is immediately brought in. Sexual assault providers are also introduced into the picture and we are very proactive in gathering evidence and supporting police within their work,” he said.
Last Friday’s Advertiser revealed that the incident was the subject of two separate investigations: a felony inquiry by Jap District detectives, and an inside assessment from Correctional Companies intelligence and investigations unit.
The investigation was triggered after Yatala’s prisoner was taken to Yatala’s infirmary by jail officers who saw that he had recently been tattooed and wanted medical treatment for an infection.
He told jail docs that he was “forcefully tattooed” and nominated those concerned. The inmate also claimed he was sexually assaulted, but did not provide any additional details.
As far as we are concerned, the Hells Angels bikie was nominated and is currently serving nearly 5 years for offenses including aggravated critical criminal felony trespass (discharging a firearm injury), aggravated assault, breach of bail, and discharge a firearm injury).
After pleading guilty to aggravated theft, the inmate that made the allegations is currently in custody. He was not sentenced.
A Corrections supply stated if the inmate had falsely claimed his fellow prisoners had drugged and sexually assaulted him, his future “could be very attention-grabbing”.
“If he made it up for his private functions, he’s in a lot of trouble,” the supply stated.
“It won’t be just the three that he has made the accusations against him to be afraid about. Everyone will likely be lining up him wherever they can.”
Further investigations will determine whether the illegal tattoo gun and needles were smuggled into F Division and whether the inmate was complicit in the tattooing of his body by the other inmates.
These large, amateurish tattoos contain derogatory, sexually explicit phrases and imagery. A Corrections supply called them “horrific, grotesque”.
There were 560 incidents in 2020 contraband was confiscated in SA’s prisons. 150 of them were at Yatala.
One hundred and fifty-three of the 150 cases of contraband confiscated at Yatala were associated with illicit substances. 31 were associated with smoking (including tobacco, matches, and papers), while 56 were associated with other merchandise that is prohibited in a prison environment like cell phones, dwelling news, and prescription treatment.
Initial publication as Hells Angels bikie linked to Yatala tattoo terror
