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Tex Perkins at Port Phillip Prison

Posted by: By Ben Wise, In Jail | 31 August, 2009 - 2:59 PM

Tex Perkins went to jail on Monday.

The renowned Australian singer claimed he was only there because he was 'framed' (by his publicist he would go on to say).

Perkins' appearance in Laverton's Port Phillip Prison was not crime-related but rather as a promotion for his upcoming theatre show 'The Man In Black', which focuses on the life of legendary musician Johnny Cash.

In an attempt to recreate Cash's famous concert in Folsom Prison in California, 1968, Perkins and the 'Tennessee Four' performed two concerts to the inmates of Port Phillip Prison.

Concentrating on Cash's folk songs in the first installment, Perkins seemed to be well received by the 50-100 convicted criminals watching from plastic chairs erected in the facility's gymnasium.

The media was ushered out of the prison by friendly G4S Custodial Services staff, who also appeared to enjoy what must be a significantly different day 'at work', after the first 30-minutes set.

It is believed Perkins was to belt out Cash's edgier tunes – such as Folsom Prison Blues - to more prison inmates once the media had left.

"I am under no illusions as to where the prisoners would rather be," Perkins said. "Not here!"

"I think some of the people in the audience would have preferred to have 50-Cent up on stage in front of them than someone singing Johnny Cash songs."

The G4S Custodial Services fully backed the concerts being held within the prison, saying in a statement: "These activities reflect activities going on in the outside community to which almost all prisoners will eventually return."

"They contribute to creating positive attitudes among the prisoners, and importantly, they are an aid to their eventual rehabilitation."

Last week, when speaking to 3AW Breakfast's Ross and John in a very entertaining chat, Perkins revealed he had previously been in jail as something other than a 'performer'.

Perkins told the boys he was locked up for swearing in public in Queensland early in his career after being busted by what he described as an undercover cop in a Hawaiian shirt.

Perkins, who admitted not being a fan of the way in which American actor Joaquin Phoenix portrayed Cash in the popular move Walk The Line, was an excellent choice to play Cash and will impress in the show based on his efforts in Monday's jailhouse rock.

'The Man In Black' is playing at the Athaneum Theatre from September 2-12. For more information, click here.

Tex is 'The Man In Black'

Australian rocker Tex Perkins will replicate the legendary Johnny Cash's performances at US jail Folsom State Prison at Victoria's Port Phillip Prison on Monday. After he went missing momentarily at the 3AW studio, Tex strolled in to share a great Friday morning chat with the 3AW Breakfast boys.

3AW Breakfast Daily Highlights

Blog comments

Good move, i would rather see this as a way of letting prisoners know what they are missing. I will be going to see the show at the Athaneum and unlike the prisoners i will be taking my wife and having a great afternoon in Melbourne. I am sure that anyone locked up would rather sip a few beer's after the show with their favourite squeeze than get frog marched back to their cells. I also believe that i wont lower my standards to that of murdererous, thieving, lowlife scum and treat them like dogs otherwise i would be no better than them.

ged Saturday 5 September, 2009 - 8:27 AM
Before you jump down off your soapbox, I will just let you know that I DO know what I'm talking about because I work in the Prison Industry. Meg, this was for MAXIMUM security prisoners...people who HAVE ruined other peoples' lives!!! If your boyfriend is in maximum security for traffic matters, I hate to think what your law abiding sweetheart must have done. 'The pressures of everyday prison life'. Oh No!!! Poor buggers, I really feel sorry for them. Do the crime, do the time. It was their choice to break the law.

Andrew Wednesday 2 September, 2009 - 10:11 AM
Excuse me Andrew! You are the one who should be hanging your head in shame!
How dare you suggest that these men don't deserve a bit of a break from the pressure of everyday prison life.

As a girlfriend of one of the prisoners in the youth unit, a woman who goes up to this prison twice a week o visit him, i think i of all people should know that this was an absolutely fantastic move by Tex Perkins and his management.

oh, and also Andrew, not all prisoners have destroyed the lives of others. like my 23 year old, successful accountant boyfriend who is simply in there for traffic offenses. Tex Perkins performance gave prisoners like my boyfriend a chance to escape the pressures of everyday prison life, something you know nothing about and thus have no right to speak on the matter.

well done Tex, keep up the good work!

meg Tuesday 1 September, 2009 - 7:10 PM
What an absolute disgrace! Murderers and rapists...people who have zero concern for anyone but themselves...Robbing defenceless victims, breaking into elderly people's homes...and what do they get for it the garden state? A free rock concert. Whilst the victim's and teh families of their crimes will never be able to leada normal life again. It is just beyond words that these scumbags are entitled to things a lot of law abiding citizens can't afford..Appalling. The organisers and Tex perkins management should hang their hheads in shame. he has lost me as a fan forever.

Andrew Monday 31 August, 2009 - 6:20 PM