Vera Bennett
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| Vera Bennett | |
|---|---|
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| First appearance | 1 |
| Last appearance | 224 |
| Information | |
| Occupation | Prison officer |
| Title | Deputy Governor (1-39); Senior Officer (40-224); Governor of Barnhurst (off-screen only) (225+) |
| Portrayed by | Fiona Spence |
Vera Bennett was an original character in the Australian soap opera Prisoner, appearing from the start of the series in 1979 through to late 1981. She was played by Fiona Spence.
Having spent many years caring for her sick housebound mother, Vera led a lonely life and had difficulty interacting socially with people, and had few friends or associates outside the prison.
She earned the nick-name Vinegar Tits due to her acid tongue, and was known by many as the nasty officer in the prison. She frequently bickered with her work colleagues, and sometimes openly defied prison governor Erica Davidson. Vera believed that an iron hand was required to run the prison, in contrast with Erica's more gentle and progressive approach. Though Vera and colleague Meg had opposing opinions regarding the treatment of prisoners, Meg remained Vera's closest associate in the prison.
Vera was very strict and occasionally sadistic in her treatment of the prisoners. In a flashback she seems to be gloating as she tells Bea Smith that she cannot attend her daughter's funeral. In the first episode she appears outside Franky Doyle's solitary confinment cell, taunting her with a cigarette, saying "I bet you'd like one of these."
Vera was well known for referring to the prisoner's as "animals", and saying they don't have "feelings like normal people." During one riot Bea Smith and the prisoners hold Vera hostage and force her to say "We are human beings not animals". Despite this Vera rarely did anything illegal. She was not corrupt and mostly took a by-the-book approach. However Vera was sometimes so desperate to get ahead in the prison she became vulnerable to the more cunning prisoners who used her as a pawn in their schemes. Inmate Barbara Davidson tricked Vera into smuggling into the prison a doll which was stuffed with illegal drugs.
Episode 7 introduces us to Vera's lonely life outside the prison where Vera herself is prisoner to her ailing mother. During the episode Mrs Bennett dies. Vera's relationship with her mother is later summed up when Roslyn Coulson (who was inside for killing the woman who killed her mother) says "What would you do if someone killed your mother?" Vera just stares blankly as if to say "Maybe that wouldn't have been so bad."
Later (episode 148), after discovering that a night with a man met at a disco meant nothing more than one night, Vera became extremely depressed and turned to alcohol. Her alcohol problem was noticed by the prisoners when she arrived for work intoxicated after being requested to attend work to fill a staff shortage. This led to the prisoners taking advantage of her drunken state and stealing her prison keys.
Another of Vera's failures with men was on the occasion where she mis-read the non-intentions towards her of prison teacher David Andrews (played by Serge Lazareff). Vera requested a transfer to the Maternity wing for a week after the Andrews disaster and was not seen in episodes 175 and 176. During a period when the prison was placed under quarantine Vera had to sleep in a cell with fellow officer Meg Morris (Elspeth Ballantyne) (178).
Vera long had a special understanding with elderly inmate Lizzie Birdsworth (Sheila Florance) which the prisoners (including Lizzie) sometimes exploited. Indeed Lizzie seemed to be the only prisoner to understand why Vera was like she was, and had been the only person to show up at the party Vera arranged (for the staff) in the staff room.
After a distrous affair with colleague Terry Harrison, Vera got the job of Governor of Barnhurst prison, and left Wentworth, never to be seen in the series again. When Vera left Lizzie said to her "I always said you was all right Miss Bennett. Maybe after I get out we can have a chat over old times." Indeed Vera at one point saved Lizzie's life by giving her mouth to mouth.
Contents |
[edit] Vera's men
Vera was extremely unlucky in love and showed affection to the following men. The affection was not always returned.
- George Lucas - crime boss involving in drug dealing (26 - 32)
- Jim Fletcher - Deputy Governor Wentworth
- Damien Travena - one night stand (148)
- Jock Stewart - Prison Officer
- David Andrews - Prison Teacher (174)
- Terry Harrison - Prison Officer
[edit] Vera's positions held
- Episodes 1 - 39 Deputy Governor Wentworth Detention Centre
- Episodes 40 -224 Senior Officer Wentworth
- Episodes 225 onwards Governor Barnhurst Detention Centre. At the end of Episode 536 we are told that Vera is injured during a riot and is in hospital.
