Maxine Conway and Bea Smith have developed a great friendship while prisoners at Wentworth Prison. It’s obvious they both care deeply for each other.

For the first time, Maxine tells us why she likes Bea. The words indicated here are entirely the author’s and have not been aired on the television series Wentworth,

“Why I like Bea Smith?  That’s not a hard question. There’s just so many reasons but let me just begin at the beginning. Looking like me and locked up inside a women’s prison is not easy. I AM A WOMAN, but some people don’t see me as one. Since my arrival at Wentworth Prison, I’ve been taunted and teased and not just by the prisoners. Matt Fletcher was one of the main culprits. Why did he always expect me to move and lift the heavy objects?  He never asked Jess to do that. But of course, when he looked at me, he saw a he and not a she. And if I told him to do it himself, I’d end up in the slot.

Then there was Franky Doyle who pretended to be nice to me because she wanted someone large like me for her crew. But Bea was different from the very beginning. She offered understanding. When I was caught trying to escape and the guards took my wig away, Bea gave me one of Liz’s tea holders to use as a hat. And when I was forced to punch her to prove my loyalty to Frankie, Bea literally took it in the gut.  I think one of the reasons Bea and I understand each other so much is that we’ve both had to deal with people who didn’t understand or accept us for who we are.

I often think about what life on the outside will be like again with me as Maxine this time and not Max. I’m not that eager to find out. Because once I leave Wentworth, I leave Bea and I don’t think I can think about that, especially since Bea will never get parole. I love Bea Smith. She’s my family.”

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