# The premier who opened the jail

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-canning-vale-premier-was-an-inmate
- Themes: equality, justice, humour, prison
- Life situations: power and accountability

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

Visiting Canning Vale prison, Ajahn Brahm saw the plaque at the entrance: the prison had been opened by a former Premier of Western Australia. And during his visit that same ex-premier was inside — as an inmate. He found it reassuring: in Australia, whatever your position, if you break the rules you can get a taste of the jail you built.

## The story, as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

Oh, that time when I went into the jail in Canning Vale and it was the Canning Vale jail at the time. It was really interesting because it was open. I forget the prime minister of honor the premier of Australia which opened that jail but you know had his plaque on the entrance way open by uh premier whatever. But then actually while I was visiting he was actually in the jail at the time was an inmate. Now first of all I thought that was really fascinating. It doesn't matter what position in society you are in Australia. Now if you're even the premier you build a jail you open the jail. It doesn't mean you can never actually go and and get a taste of the thing which you built because you broke the rules. So that was actually quite reassuring.

## Teaching point

Titles and positions don't define anyone; we all share the same humanity.

## Reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

At Canning Vale prison, the plaque said a former premier had opened it, and that same man was inside as an inmate during Ajahn Brahm's visit. He found it reassuring. No title puts anyone above the rules, or outside our shared humanity. And people who've done terrible things often turn out to be more than their crimes.

## Source

- [Having Positive Attitudes towards Everybody | Ajahn Brahm | 12 March 2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsIU4DM27nQ) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 13:54 to 14:45: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsIU4DM27nQ&t=834s