Chapter Text
Linda had been working for several days on barely any sleep, after the legal battle that saw the police department sued out of $10 million and it ruining the established career of Police Officer Dale and Hydari and Collins being suspended from the service, and learning that her ex husband Douglas and son Dylan were still alive Linda felt exhausted, she was tired after everything that had happened.. Linda walked to the staffroom where Will was standing making a coffee, he saw Linda out of the corner of his eye. "Linda.." he said as he turned around, Linda sat down on the staff couch and said "Yes Governor?" "When was the last time you slept?" Linda rubbed her eyes. "I dunno. A few days ago I guess." Will got his phone out of his pocket and he said "I'll call you a taxi." Linda shook her head. "I'll be alright. I'll go somewhere quiet for a kip." Will put his phone away and said "Are you sure? I can call Doug in?" "I'm sure." Linda handed her radio over to Will and said "However long you need. Just don't get shivved.." Linda stood up and as she walked away she said "That'll be the day!.."
Linda made her way to the boiler room and walked to a door that said 'NO ENTRY STAFF ONLY', Linda opened the door and turned on the light, closing the door behind her and locking it. the room was quiet and it was often used by the guards as a smoko room, as was an ashtray was in the corner. But there was a bed and a blanket with a desk in the other corner for writing or studying. Linda sat down on the bed and she took her guard belt off, dropping it on the floor. Linda laid down and drifted off to sleep.
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Linda awoke hours later, but to her the world didn't feel right. Linda walked into the exercise yard. Where she could see inmates standing, guards watching. Linda was in her guard uniform, when she saw a very familiar face. "Mr Jackson?" "Linda." "What's going on?" said Linda who was confused. "Governor Craven wants to see you." "Craven? Aren't you the governor?" Will laughed and said "Oh hun. I wish!" Linda then looked around the prison layout was still the same but it felt off to her. Linda walked to the governors office and knocked on the door.
"Come in.." said the voice. Linda opened the door, closing it behind her and said "You wanted to see me Governor?" Craven turned around and said "I did Miss Miles." Linda getting a closer look at Craven. Is this Alf from Home and Away? Linda thought. "As my deputy governor you need to help me bring these prisoners into line. "With all due respect Governor. We are trying but we do not have enough resources to combat anything you ask of us." "We have the resources Deputy Governor. I don't know if you can put the decision in place to ramp this fucking place until it dries out for good!" Linda rubbed her head, still not knowing what was actually going on. "Can I trust you deputy? Because if I can't you'll be out of the service so fucking fast you'll think you're in another time zone! Now get OUT OF MY SITE" Linda left the governors office as she walked off.
Linda walked around the prison where she saw the officers she knew wearing the same uniform she was but everyone else to her looked like army rejects. Linda bumped into Meg Morris who said "Deputy Governor.." Linda looked at Meg's ID and saw Wentworth Detention Centre as the logo. "Detention Centre? When was the prison renamed?" Meg looked at Linda and said "It's always been Wentworth Detention Centre. Linda are you alright?" Linda rubbed her temple and said "I've got officers wearing the same uniform as me and then the rest of the guards look like army rejects? Who designed that uniform?" Meg laughed and said "We're testing out the new uniforms. The officers wearing the uniform like you are, are officers who have been in the service for over 8 years. We're phasing out these uniforms. To look more professional." Linda nodded as she said "I have to bring in the squad. I'll keep something in mind about the uniform..."
Meg then said "You look lost today.." "Today? What do you mean?" Meg then said "You feel like your from the future but not in the present?" "Weirdly enough.. Yes." "Welcome to Wentworth in the late 80s." Meg walked off as Linda stood there confused. Did I just time travel? back to the 80s? Linda thought.
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Later Linda was with the police when she said "Ramp the fuck out of the compound." Craven was standing next to a police car when Linda followed the police into the prison. "Alright everyone! GET OUT of your cells and stand against the wall. This is a ramp." "A what?" said one inmate. "You heard. Stand against the fucking wall. Keep your mouth shut." "Language officer." said Joan Ferguson who was walking with another officer. "You got a problem with it Joan?" Joan looked at Linda and said "What on earth.." "If you have a problem with it report it."
Joan grabbed Linda's arm and pushed her into an empty room "You think you're top don't you?" said Joan. Linda looked at Joan and said "I know officers like you. I've worked with officers like you. I'm doing my job. You do yours.." "Miles.." "It's Deputy Governor." "That's a title you earn." "I've more then earnt it. Let me do my job and stay out of the way." Linda then said "These inmates would respect you more if you weren't such a joke.." Linda walked off as Joan hit the door, knowing that Linda was right. The inmates had forgotten to be scared of her.
Linda later walked out with police officers. Craven looked at Linda and said "This is from the ramp." Linda produced armfuls of contraband. "I want to speak with you on these things. Everything here can be made into a weapon." "I know that Linda. I'm disappointed that we keep finding these things." "You know how? The doors and gates are open around the entire prison. The staffroom is accessible to literally everyone. I want to suggest some changes. If the budget or the minister will allow it?" Craven nodded as he said "I'll make a meeting with the minister." "Whatever the measures being used now? Suck. We need to make a change. And we need to make it now."
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Days later Linda was with Craven and speaking with the Minister for Corrections Ann Reynolds. "Minister the security in this prison is so bad. I want to make suggestions which could benefit all maximum security prisons in the state." "I'm interested in hearing this Deputy Governor." Linda handed over a file and said "This is the file I want to show you, and with some ideas from a mind living in the future. I'd like to present the following ideas." Linda started reading the dot points of the file.
* "Introducing a measure like security wands and a detector at the reception area of the prison for all visitors/staff/inmates"
* "Replacing guard keys/changing locks/ supplying and implementing security ports that require a keycard activated by the officer, to be worn with a guard belt which carries personal protection such as a baton & pepper spray.."
* "To separate the violent and most dangerous prisoners in a new unit called the Protection Unit, where it houses inmates who committed serious crimes against women and children."
* "To implement closing off the entire prison and keep gates locked, upgrading security doors, fence upgrades to walls"
* "To introduce a 'panic button' so officers can get to an emergency quicker, and officers undergoing basic first aid training, including basic hand hygiene and gloving technique for any code black event.."
* "To introduce a CCTV system in the main areas of the prison such as outside in the yard, indoors in the traffic areas such as dining room, rec room and hallways, with a security room to oversee a 'watch house' where guards can inform and react to inmate wrong doing.."
Linda stopped as Ann looked at Linda and said "I love all these ideas. Craven, where have these ideas been hiding for the last 20 years?" "The lack of budget for one." "If we don't introduce something soon..." said Ann. "A panic button will save lives." said Linda, who knew for a fact this was true in many forms. Craven then said "The keycard thing. Is it run off a system?" Linda nodded and said "It's run off a system and will ONLY work for that officer. I've seen them, its a security ID with extra security, every ID has the officer name, number and code, if someone else tries to the use the card it won't let them." Craven nodded .
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Ann was talking to Linda and said "My dear, these ideas. I'll take the file and.." Linda then said "I made copies." Linda handed over at least 5 dozens copies of the file and said "In case they get lost.." Ann looked at the guard and said "I'm glad someone has been thinking about the security in this joint. I know what needs upgrading first. Between you and me. The one about upgrading reception will be the first one to grow through. Reception leads into the visitor centre and so if we fix that and have more guards stationed there we can pick out the trouble.." Linda nodded and said "The days of entering this place like its a palace... are about to end.."