The family of a notorious armed robber have expressed concern for his health after he enters his ninth day without food.
Anthony John Smith went on hunger strike following his transfer from Yatala Labour Prison to Port Augusta, South Australia last week.
Mr. Smith has served 24 years of his 30-year sentence after pleading guilty to three armed robberies committed in 1999 and 2000.
His family have now taken to social media to express their concern for his well-being as he refuses to eat, according to The Advertiser.
“The last time I spoke to him was yesterday afternoon around 2.15 pm (Wednesday),” a relative said.
‘He was on his seventh day without food, struggling both mentally and emotionally (and) his well-being has been at high risk for days.
“This situation is more than just a transfer; it highlights the ongoing injustices and inhumane treatment he has suffered.”
Mr Smith has reportedly spent more than seven years locked up for 23 hours, and a family member claims the Department of Correctional Services has denied him “basic human rights”.
Anthony John Smith went on hunger strike following his transfer from Yatala Labour Prison to Port Augusta, South Australia last week.
“There has been no real progress in Tony’s situation for as long as I can remember,” the relative said.
‘Any small progress has come at a significant cost to us.
‘Due to classifications and other limitations, such as not being considered eligible for medium security programs or immediate release programs, we have faced numerous obstacles.’
Mr Smith was sentenced to 12 years for the Buckingham Arms Hotel robbery in Walkerville, seven and a half years for robbing an ANZ bank and 18 years for a robbery at Myrtle Bank, however the sentences were later reduced to 30 years with a non-parole period of 18 years.
He was denied parole in 2021.
DCS has been contacted for comment.
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