Anthony John Smith: Fears for prisoner on nine-day hunger strike
- Anthony John Smith is 24 years into his 30-year sentence
- His family said he was struggling mentally and emotionally
- READ MORE: Bassam Hamzy is found guilty of running drugs from inside one of Australia's toughest jails
The family of a notorious armed robber has expressed concern for his health as he enters his ninth day without food.
Anthony John Smith has gone on a hunger strike following his transfer from Yatala Labour Prison to Port Augusta in South Australia last week.
Mr Smith is 24 years into his 30-year sentence after he pleaded guilty to three armed robberies committed in 1999 and 2000.
His family has now taken to social media to express concerns over his welfare as he refuses to eat, according to The Advertiser.
'The last time I spoke to him was yesterday afternoon around 2.15pm (Wednesday),' a relative said.
'He was on his seventh day without food, struggling both mentally and emotionally (and) his wellbeing has been at high risk for days.
'This situation is about more than just a transfer, it highlights the ongoing injustices and inhumane treatment he has endured.'
Mr Smith has reportedly spent more than seven years in a 23-hour lockdown, with a relative claiming the Department for Correctional Services has denied him 'basic human rights'.
Anthony John Smith has gone on a hunger strike following his transfer from Yatala Labour Prison to Port Augusta in South Australia last week
'There has been no real progress regarding Tony's situation for as long as I can remember,' the relative said.
'Any slight advancements have come at a significant cost to us.
'Due to classifications and other constraints, such as not being deemed eligible for medium security programs or release-ready programs, we have faced numerous obstacles.'
Mr Smith was sentenced to 12 years for the robbery of the Buckingham Arms hotel at 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 an 18-year non-parole period.
He was refused parole in 2021.
The DCS has been contacted for comment.
