The Brutal Upbringing that Prepared Susan Norman to be a Prison Guard

This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. 

Susan grew up in the UK, enduring years of highly abusive relationships at the hands of her mother and her pimp husband. 

In her thirties, she moved to Australia and begun working at Brisbane's infamous Boggo Road prison. 

At the prison, she handled everything from breaking up fights to initiating new prisoners, drug busts and suicide attempts.

In 1990 she was witness to the murder of Debra Dick committed by the infamous murderer Storm Brooke. This is Australia’s only murder in a women’s prison.

Diagnosed with PTSD, Susan left Boggo Road in 1993.

You can read more about the twists and turns in Susan's life by reading her recent memoir, "The Pimp and The Pork Sausage"

For Support: 

Lifeline  on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732

CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram 

Guest: Susan Norman

Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard

This episode contains extra content from Chanel 9 News and Channel 7 News

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