Bassam Hamzy, a prominent gang leader in Australia, is undergoing changes during his lengthy imprisonment, which began when he was arrested at 19 for murder following a fatal shooting in Sydney. Found guilty of supplying over 450 grams of methamphetamine while incarcerated at Goulburn’s High Risk Management Correctional Centre, Hamzy directed multiple drug deals via a contraband mobile phone, demonstrating his persistence in criminal activities despite the oppressive conditions of the Supermax prison.
During a recent court hearing, Hamzy’s defence barrister highlighted his transformation over the past few years, arguing that he has a renewed outlook on life. However, the prosecution contends that he continues to fund criminal activity linked to his past gang, Brothers 4 Life, which they assert is still operational. The defence refutes this, stating the gang has effectively disbanded.
While Judge Antony Townsend acknowledged the severe restrictions imposed on Hamzy, he noted that they failed to prevent further offences. The judge emphasized the troubling fact that contraband phones could still infiltrate such a highly secured facility. Hamzy, now 46, will not be eligible for parole until 2035, when his new sentence for drug-related offences will commence. The harsh custodial conditions he has faced over the past two decades are likened to torture, raising questions about their true effectiveness in rehabilitation.