Celebrity agent Ralph Carr has described prison as a “living hell”, with a Melbourne court told he is spending 23 hours a day locked down inside one of Victoria’s most severe correctional facilities.
Carr, who was prosecuted under his full name, Ralph Carnovale-Carr, was convicted last month on two rape charges and one count of sexual assault.
The 66-year-old appeared before the Melbourne County Court on Monday for a plea hearing, dressed in a grey prison tracksuit and without the wig that had long been part of his public image.
The court was told Carr, a once high-profile entertainment industry identity and former husband of pop singer Tina Arena, self-harmed by hitting his head against a wall shortly after the jury delivered its guilty verdict.
He is currently being held at the Melbourne Assessment Prison, a facility known for housing high-risk and high-profile inmates, including convicted rapist Tom Silvagni and accused killer Patrick Stephenson.
Stephenson, who is on remand after being charged over the alleged murder of Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy in March 2024, reportedly attempted suicide at MAP on Friday.
The court heard conditions at the prison are restrictive, with some inmates confined to their cells for 23 hours each day as part of protective custody arrangements.
Carr and Silvagni had both been subject to strict suppression orders, imposed on mental health grounds, which prevented their identities from being reported until now.
Ralph Carr (right) heads to court with his barrister Dermot Dann KC prior to being found guilty of rape
Carr is caged alongside convicted rapist Tom Silvagni (above)
A court sketch depicts Carr while appearing at Victorian County Court in Melbourne on Monday
Dermot Dann KC, for Carr, told the court his client has suffered panic attacks, eaten little, slept poorly, and experienced both physical health problems and deteriorating mental health during his ‘living hell’ inside MAP.
‘It hasn’t been made clear why he is where he is, what I mean by that, 23-hour lockdown, so he’s only allowed out of his cell one hour,’ Mr Dann said.
‘And even then, that has not always been achieved. Maybe it’s deemed for his own protection, in one shape or form, whether that’s his mental health protection or whether he’s seen as a high-profile prisoner.
‘Because sometimes high-profile prisoners, they don’t ask to be housed in those conditions, but they are said to be for their own protection. But it has not been explained to us exactly why that’s happened.’
Mr Dann said Carr suffered serious health issues shortly after entering custody, including a possible heart attack scare, but declined hospital transfers because of ‘claustrophobia’.
Carr has also struggled with poor sleep and ‘deteriorating mental health,’ but his risk of suicide is not considered high because he is holding onto ‘hope’ with the stay of sentence application.
Mr Dann added that Carr’s career is over regardless of the outcome, as his reputation is in ruins.
‘He’s not being unduly pessimistic when he labels his career as being destroyed…,’ Mr Dann said.
Carr is now being held at the notorious Melbourne Assessment Prison (pictured), alongside convicted rapist Tom Silvagni and accused killer Patrick Stephenson
Carr, pictured here with ex-wife Tina Arena, says his career as a manager is over
Carr was also agent for AFL champion Dustin Martin, but Martin cut ties with him as soon as he was convicted of rape
Mr Dann, who was reading from a report by forensic psychiatrist Jackie Rakov, told the court Carr has felt ‘hopelessness and deterioration in mood’.
”On 12 August he described his reputation and name as being destroyed as well as damaged’,’ Mr Dann read.
”I cannot say whether his concerns about his reputation could prove correct although they have contributed to his hopelessness and deterioration in mood’.’
Dr Rakov told the court that Carr’s suicide risk is ‘dynamic’ and would likely increase if he loses hope by failing to secure a stay of sentence.
‘I would expect his suicide risk to increase, following an unsuccessful stay application, particularly as he understands that he will remain in prison for a prolonged period,’ Dr Rakov said.
‘I say that because he’s already experiencing suicidal thoughts… and he has a demonstrated history of being suicidal.’
Dr Rakov said she’d had three video conferences with Carr while he was in the MAP.
‘I’m familiar with the unit having worked at the assessment prison that it’s for temporary lockdown or segregation, in what’s called a management unit which is frequently used for high profile prisoners,’ Dr Rakov said.
Carr helped launch the careers of Vanessa Amorosi (left) and Kate Ceberano (right)
Carr, who was still active in the entertainment industry up until his remand, has represented A-listers like Richard Wilkins (above)
‘As well as those needing separation for behavioural issues.’
Dr Rakov also told the court she found it ‘absurd’ that it takes four weeks for Carr to see a psychiatrist while incarcerated at MAP.
She said Carr would be safer in MAP’s Unit 13 Muirhead cells, but said that prisoners are often ‘hesitant’ to speak about their distress due to the unit’s harsh conditions.
Also known as ‘wet cells’, Muirheads are stripped of standard fixtures to remove hanging points, and often have 24/7 CCTV monitoring, tear-proof canvas clothing and bedding, and integrated floor drainage.
Carr was convicted of assaulting a former employee at his Melbourne home in the early hours of March 24, 2023, after she became emotional discussing a relationship break-up.
He hugged her and began kissing her and touching her breasts, waist and buttocks while she tried to push him away.
When she told him to stop, Carr told her he couldn’t because she was ‘so sexy’ before raping her twice while she cried into a pillow.
A victim impact statement for the woman was not tendered in court.
