Martin was arrested in Indonesia on April 17, 2005 along with eight other Australians now known as the 'Bali 9'. He is a former bartender from Towradgi, a suburb of Wollongong New South Wales, Australia. He was discovered with 3.3 kg of heroin concealed on his body at Denpasar Airport during his first trip to Bali.
On February 14, 2006, Martin Stephens was sentenced to life imprisonment. He appealed his sentence along with eight other members of the Bali Nine.
On April 26 2006, Martin Stephens' appeal was heard and the judge upheld his life sentence.
Martin claims that he was forced to travel to Bali and proceed with the smuggling following death threats against his family.
"They threatened me. They threatened my family, my friends, my love - my girlfriend… They showed me pictures."
How you can
Help:
Martin Stephens would very much welcome letters of support and care packages. If you feel inclined to write then please do at the address below. Normal sized letters and care packages can be sent directly to the prison.
LPM Kerobokan
Martin Eric Stephens [Australian]
Jl. Tangkuban Perahu
Kerobokan, Denpasar 80117
Bali, INDONESIA
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Important Notice |
Please be advised that those people sending letters to Kay Danes at Kerobokan Prison should discontinue because she is NOT a prisoner. Rather, Kay Danes is a Prisoner advocate based in Australia. Please do not address any more mail to Kay Danes at Kerobokan Prison, Bali. If you would like to write to her this is the address:
Kay Danes
PO Box 391
Capalaba QLD 4157
Australia
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If you would like to make any financial donation to support Martin with basic food and essentials then please contact us.
When you write, please be sure to mention that you were given these details by the Foreign Prisoner Support Service.
We would also appreciate any feedback you may provide to us, so that we can keep this campaign up to date.
Visitation:
Prisoners in Kerobokan are allowed visitors everyday except on Sunday. Most love to have a visit from somebody who can look beyond their situation and see them as real human beings. Life in an Asian prison is difficult, and more so when you have no one to help you with even the most basic needs.
Visiting hours at Kerobokan
Tuesday to Friday: 9.00am - 12.00 and 1.30pm - 3.00pm
(Saturday 1/2 day AM visit only)
List of basic items visitors can bring on a visit day;
Financial support is critical for anyone in an Asian jail. If you can spare some local currency [Rupiah] then this would be appreciated. It's best to give your contribution to the prisoner with as much discretion as possible, mainly so other prisoners won't see.
Fresh fruit, salads and bread, pizza, roast chicken
Aussie foods - sweets, biscuits, health food bars, BBQ sauce
Health Drinks, milk, cordial [preferably Raspberry]
Reading materials - Newspapers, magazines, comic books, puzzle books, self development books, CD's.
Australian Cigarettes [used for bartering]
Canned food/rice, fresh vegetables etc…
Any of the items below [see care packages].
Care Package items.
Please make sure all items are appropriately packaged and sealed before sending to the prison. Don't forget to include your name and contact details so the prisoner knows who sent these items and where to send a thank you!
Reading materials - Newspapers, magazines, comic books, puzzle books, self development books, CD's, postcards;
Australian Cigarettes [used for bartering]
Toiletries, Toothpaste/toothbrush, soap, shampoo and conditioner, dental floss;
Laundry powder [Tip: Sard soap bar is lighter.]
Tinea Cream, Dettol, Savlon, Chap sticks [dry lips], cracked heal cream [Tip: sachets], Bandaids, Cotton Buds, Wet ones [refresher towels], ear plugs,
Mosquito coils & Repellent [RID]
Oil of Cloves [toothache]
Cold Sore Cream, lip balm, moisturisers; prickly heat powder;
Chux wipes
Cotton T-shirts, shorts, singlets,
Thongs/flip flops
Hats [baseball type caps]
Tips on visiting at Kerobokan
If you plan to go to Bali and want a reliable taxi driver who is well known to FPSS and takes very good care of foreigners travelling to Bali, then consider calling Simon on mobile phone number 0817367301 or to arrange prior from mobile in your country (+ 62 817367301). Simon works for the Blue Bird Taxi Group [Call 0361701111] which is considered the safest and most reliable taxi service in Bali.
Before going to the prison:
Photo copy your photograph page of your passport to use at checkpoint.
Don't take in any valuables
If you have something to sit on ie: a mat, then take it as there is limited seating available.
At the prison:
A donation to enter the jail is expected. 15 000 rupiah. [Roughly 7 000 rupiah = $1 Australian dollar]
At the outside through the steel entrance to the left you will see police who will register your name and details. Best you write down the name of the prisoner you wish to visit and state that you are either family or friend.
The police will need to check any items that you intend to take inside. Watch this process carefully. Sometimes a share of the item is asked for. Cigarettes are a favourite but the police don't appear to like Australian/Western cigarettes.
Make sure you don't have anything in your bag that will compromise a prisoner. Don't take pills, tablets or other medications in purses or handbags. Avoid taking any of these in at all.
At the wooden doors, knock and a guard will open the door. Inside on the right is a guard's desk. Here you will present a copy of your passport. Leave your mobile phone, camera here which are retrievable on leaving. Have Rp 5000 ready to pay the guard who is recording your details, and the prisoner's name in a sign on book.
The guard then takes your ID etc and gives you the name slip and a plastic card (one plastic card for each visitor in your group - sometimes). A guard will open the large steel door to allow you into the next section.
Inside the prison:
Once inside Kerobokan prison, you will find a checking room or just a simple wooden desk to the right. Guards here will inspect your packages - if they attempt to take something then be assertive but polite, smile and say "No that is for [name of prisoner] and take it back. They may also go through your handbag etc. They generally do not conduct body searches this is a corner in the room with curtains, if this is demanded.
Go straight ahead towards the other steel gate where someone will be waiting to open it. At the same time, you will find drink fellows with mats will appear. Ignore them until you are ready to speak with them. Pick one person to deal with and remember him and get his name. Deal only with this person not several or you will be paying out more rupiah than you need too.
Show the guards the prisoners name slip - produce another Rp 5000 and here they perform another check of goods for the prisoner. The brown slip with the prisoner's name will be given to a fellow who goes to the cell to call the prisoner.
Meanwhile the drink fellow will be waiting to guide you to someplace in the old garden area now under reconstruction or other visiting area, attempting to make you comfortable with the mat and drinks. Wait for the prisoner to come - usually up to ten minutes unless the prisoner knows before hand.
Costs: 1000 for mat, soft drink box (not usually paid for?), 3000 for water, 5000 for soft drink or mizone. It is not compulsory to buy any drinks or use any mats or soft drink box.
Sometimes after about half an hour visit, a couple of prisoners will come asking for payment for extra time - usually Rp 1000 will suffice, however it is best to pay rather than argue on the grounds of fairness that you have just arrived or have already paid when you entered for the visit. Seems the more you pay/give the more is demanded. Also it has been known that the prisoner gets hit up for the costs at the end of the visit if not paid. Generally your prisoner will advise you.
At the end of the visit, hand in plastic card at the front desk and collect your mobile, camera and passport or copy.
On leaving there is a Rp 1000 parking fee to pay.
Name: Martin Eric Stephens
Australian Consulate-General
