SAS Australia: Convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby reveals her trauma

‘It’s hard for me to go outside’: Convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby reveals her trauma six years after being released from prison in Bali – as she’s interrogated about her past on SAS Australia

Convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby has spoken about her lingering trauma more than six years after being released from prison in Bali.

She told The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Thursday that she still fears going outside and feels most comfortable in her bedroom, where she has security screens.

The 43-year-old opened up about her mental anguish while promoting her upcoming appearance on Channel Seven’s military-style reality show SAS Australia. 

‘It’s hard for me to go outside’: Convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby has spoken about her lingering trauma more than six years after being released from prison in Bali

As part of the gruelling training program she and other celebrities had to endure, Schapelle was subjected to interrogation.

The SAS drill sergeants asked her questions about her drug conviction and why she still maintains her innocence after so many years, reducing her to tears.

Reflecting on her trauma, she said: ‘I stayed in my four small walls for quite a long time and I was just really feeling stuck. It’s hard for me to go outside. It’s called institutionalised. Just waiting, and I didn’t know what I was waiting for.’

She said that she often feels safest at home and doesn’t like going outside. 

Comfort zone: She told The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Thursday that she often feels safer at home and doesn't like going outside

Comfort zone: She told The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Thursday that she often feels safer at home and doesn’t like going outside

‘I do have a little bit of a fear of open spaces as well. I’m most comfortable in my studio or sitting in my bedroom with the doors closed, as I have my security screens on. This is really sad,’ she confessed.

Schapelle revealed that she wanted to do the show in order to challenge herself. 

She also spoke about her SAS-style interrogation, saying she cried because she always gets emotional whenever anyone brings up her trial or incarceration.

Traumatic: The 43-year-old opened up about her mental anguish while promoting her upcoming appearance on Channel Seven's military-style reality show SAS Australia

Traumatic: The 43-year-old opened up about her mental anguish while promoting her upcoming appearance on Channel Seven’s military-style reality show SAS Australia

Making headlines: In 2004, Schapelle became a household name when she was arrested at Bali airport with 4.2kg of marijuana inside her boogie board bag - a crime she still denies committing. In May 2005, the world watched as she broke down in the Denpasar courtroom after being sentenced to 20 years' prison

Making headlines: In 2004, Schapelle became a household name when she was arrested at Bali airport with 4.2kg of marijuana inside her boogie board bag – a crime she still denies committing. In May 2005, the world watched as she broke down in the Denpasar courtroom after being sentenced to 20 years’ prison

‘I cry, every time I hear the court scenario or whatever, I just cry. It’s so deep in my heart and I cry every time I hear it,’ she said.

Schapelle added that while the show is ‘intense’ both mentally and physically, the experience ‘helped make [her] stronger’.

In 2004, Schapelle became a household name when she was arrested at Bali airport with 4.2kg of marijuana inside her boogie board bag – a crime she still denies committing.

In May 2005, the world watched as she broke down in the Denpasar courtroom after being sentenced to 20 years’ prison.

After a series of sentence reductions, Schapelle was released from Kerobokan Prison on parole in February 2014, after nine years behind bars.

She lived in Bali with family until she was deported back to Australia in May 2017.

SAS Australia premieres on October 19 at 7:30pm on Channel Seven

Coming soon: SAS Australia premieres on October 19 at 7:30pm on Channel Seven

Coming soon: SAS Australia premieres on October 19 at 7:30pm on Channel Seven