"So we should wait until the situation explodes?"
Erica Davidson was the former Governor of Wentworth Correctional Centre.
Erica was a former lawyer turned prisoner advocate who was placed into Wentworth under the board's decision by General Manager Derek Channing. The decision was not taken well by governor Meg Jackson.
Erica used her position to call in a favour that led to her promotion to Governor. But things for Erica took major turns when the officers fought every order and disagreed with her decisions, as the programs that were once enjoyed by the inmates were no longer interested.
Erica's troubled time as Governor came to an end after the death of prison top dog Jacs Holt at the hands of Bea Smith. Erica presumably resigned from Wentworth as she lost the support of the officers and the contingent of inmates who had once supported her.
Time At Wentworth- Season 1[]
In Meg's office, she is discussing the drug problem with the officers. Meg has some ideas how to stop the drugs being smuggled into Wentworth, but the officers remind her that the prisoners always find a way. It seems that Franky has taken over since prisoner Jacs Holt was put into isolation, but Franky is getting Crystal Meth smuggled in which is worse than what Jacs has been having smuggled in. Meg wants to come down tough on Franky, but Erica Davidson points out that Franky might fight back or rise to the challenge. Meg makes her stand clear, and the meeting is over. Meg disapproves of Erica even being in the prison but cannot argue with it as it was a board decision.
Erica tells Channing that Steven Phelps was one of Erica's first appointments and that he has made strides in the women's reading and vocab and Channing says that is good to hear. Franky walks into the room and sees that everyone has started and Erica introduces Channing to Franky and says that Franky is one of her star students and mentions that Franky has also just completed her HSC and is tutoring her at the same time,
Erica and Channing are walking down the halls as Erica talks about the programs she has managed to put into place and says that education is just one of them and the others include practical courses including Barista, self esteem and interview techniques and she wants to take her programs further and she tells him that when lockdown happened she put on dance classes which brought up the morale and of the women and she said the incident rate would go down. Derek says that he read the report and Erica says that it was also good for the press, Derek says it was and he then says that the public would be after blood if the Governorship went to someone who "well groomed dancing baristas" out in the general public, Derek tells Erica that if she wants the job she has to be smarter then that Derek then walks out and Erica huffs.
During a ramp the night before Erica rings a journalist and asks for that favour she is owed when she realises that Vera has just wasted money on a ramp and doesn't want to speak to the media.
Erica overpromises big things for Wentworth which is ultimately her downfall
Derek asks Erica if she is serious and Erica says she is as what she heard on talk back radio that morning the response was largely positive and Derek says it is just a vague promise for the safety of the prison and Erica says that she sees it as something different. Derek says that he has the minister breathing down his neck and the commissioner is doing the same and he says that the prison is a business and much more then Erica's programs and he says that Erica hasn't earned her stripes yet. Erica tells him that she has double degrees in law and social work and Derek says that he is well aware of her background and that her work in Wentworth over the last 18 months had been in a bubble. Erica points out the paper and says that it is her work as it had been the first positive press the prison had in months and she says that is how she is selling it. Erica then says of course the public doesn't want to hear about rehabilitation but that is what she is trying to spin because she doesn't want the public worrying about the women when they are released. Erica then says she has spent years planning, strategizing and communicating in civil disputes and promises to bring down incident rates and raise public opinion, and says when the commissioner is off his back then maybe Channing can buy her that drink.
Erica is standing outside the governors office as she is listening to Vera and Derek's conversation, but Steven Phelps comes up to her and says that he needs help, Erica confused asks what he is talking about and he says that he had an arrangement with Toni Goodes, shocked Erica says that he has been the one supplying her. As Vera and Derek talk Vera says that she wasn't good enough and Channing says that it was a difficult decision and that she will be reinstated as the deputy governor. Outside Steven asks what would happen if the deal that he had with her became public knowledge and Erica says that she will make it go away but he has to find another job in another industry, Steven apologies to her and walks away as Channing comes out of the office and Vera walks away. Channing calls her to the office and says that she looks nervous.
Erica tries to get Bea to reveal who attacked her in her unit.
As the TV plays in the unit Liz tells Franky that she might want to come out and see what is going on, the women look at the TV and Channing begins the press conference by saying that a decision has come to the appointment of the new governor and he thanks Vera Bennett (Wentworth) for all her hard work as Acting Governor. Channing reveals the new governor will be Erica Davidson. Erica speaks to the press and she says that she is going to get the prison back to 'normal' and also says that her priority is rehabilitation of inmates and making sure that everyone in the outside feels safe if they ever come across one of the prisons inmates. At home Will snorts drugs as he also watches the news conference, the women laugh at it as Franky watches on with interest as Erica thanks the press.
Erica after a series of missteps is not popular with the correction officers and to the inmates who are suspicious of an outsider assuming she knows what "their" prison needs,
Erica refuses for Bea to see Debbie after Bea was bashed and when Bea is denied to go to Debbie's funeral because of Bea's drug charge.
Erica also fails to act after she says to her officers that she is trying to control the situation between Bea and Jacs, with Officer Linda Miles disagreeing with the governor, saying what she is doing is stirring the prisoners including Bea and Jacs.
Erica presumably resigns as the governor of Wentworth after Jac's death and failing to get the prison officers onside with her and losing the support of Derek Channing.
Trivia[]
- Erica resigns from Wentworth for no discernible reason as it was not given. It can be assumed that Erica was forced to resign after Jacs' death and the fallout of Bea Smith's trial.
Appearances[]
| Wentworth: Season 1 | |||||||||
| "No Place Like Home" Appears |
"Fly Me Away" Appears |
"The Girl Who Waited" Appears |
"The Things We Do" Appears |
"The Velvet Curtain" Appears |
"Captive" Appears |
"Something Dies" Appears |
"Mind Games " Appears |
"To the Moon" Appears |
"Checkmate" Appears |