Wednesday 27 March 2024

IT’S ALL IN THE FALL (2nd Edition)

 It was 2015 when I first wrote “It’s All in The Fall”. This was my first ever attempt to

write a book based on my life, that contains factual events that occurred in the NSW

prison system during the 1970s/1980s.


I had occasion to re-read my first book a few months ago, causing me to decide to

give it a major re-write. I do not hide behind a facade of political correctness, and I

tell my story in a truthful and factual manner. I name names and places. Nothing is

glorified, nor is it embellished.


Parts of “It’s all in The Fall” will make you laugh, while others may bring tears to

your eyes. You will understand how the NSW Prison System operated in the 1970s,

and the changes that developed following the 1978 Royal Commission into the NSW

Prisons. Not all for the good, and most to the detriment of all concerned working

within the prisons.


It was about the early 1980s that the NSW Department of Corrective Services began

to be nick named “The Department of Corruptive Services” by those of us who

worked behind those daunting 30-foot brick walls that help keep the convicted,

violent criminals in, and the public safe from those imprisoned within them.


You will get to meet many of the prison officers that I worked with, some very good

men, while others that were corrupted by the devil himself. I name names and I

invite you to make your own mind up which is which. Prisoners too. Some were in

prison, “to do the time because they did the crime” and were of little trouble. While

others were born troublemakers and will most likely remain that way until they

become too old to do harm or die.


In the middle of the 1980s, corruption was so intrenched by one Superintendent,

Ronald (Rotton Ron) George Woodham, that it became precariously dangerous to be

working or to associate with him, or most especially to be targeted by him,

regardless of whether you were an officer or prisoner. I tell the shocking true story

of how this individual ruined my life and that of my entire family, as well as many

others on both sides of the fence. It is almost unbelievable that later he became The

Commissioner of Corrective Services.


I invite you to read It’s All in The Fall and I always welcome feedback. - CLICK HERE


This I believe.

Peter t. Egge

Monday 13 March 2023

 

Australia’s Best Prison Stories 

V

Arrest and Breakout in Australia

In my book “Australia’s Best Prison Stories” my main feature story, was in my view, about the biggest prison escape that ever occurred in the history of Australian prisons.

The escape occurred in 2001.  It involved two of America’s most wanted drug lords, Kiko Rios Balderrama and Eduardo Armanda Quiroz.  My story was written from official records and contained photos that were exclusive and unpublished.  

There are many sound and substantial reasons why convicted prisoners should not be permitted to make money from their crimes by writing books about their crimes, this in principle I fully support.

I was always taught, “Rules were made for fools to follow and wise men to be guided by”.

Kiko Rios Balderrama has written and published a book from his prison cell in a Federal maximum security prison in Lee-County, Virginia, United States of America, where in 2023 is still his place of abode.    

The title of Balderrama’s book is, “Arrest and Breakout in Australia”.

This book to my mind is clearly the exception to the rule.  The book has been translated from Spanish into English and it is very apparent that it has been done so.  When reading, the reader can almost hear the writer speaking with his Mexican accent and in some cases broken English.  That aside, there is a lot to be learned from this true account of what really happened leading up to, during, and following the escape.

I strongly believe all Prison Officers, Police and those who have a vested interest in law in enforcement, should firstly read my book, “Australia’s Best Prison Stories”, which is the NSW Corrective Services account of what occurred, yet told in my words, followed by reading Kiko Rios Balderrama’s book, “Arrest and Breakout in Australia”.

I promise there is more to learn from these two books about “Prisons” than you can learn in any classroom, providing you are smart enough to heed the lessons within the pages.

This I believe.

Peter T Egge

Sunday 8 August 2021

 

RONALD (ROTTEN RON) GEORGE WOODHAM

IS DEAD

 



As a young man, my parents taught me never to speak ill of the dead, and up until now I have always adhered to that philosophy.  However, I was also taught that rules were made for fools to follow and wise men to be guided by.

When I became a Probationary Prison Officer in May of 1971, Ron Woodham was an Overseer on the farm section of the Long Bay Prison Complex.  He was in fact in charge of the wood heap.  I often worked as a junior Officer on the tower overlooking the wood heap where on numerous occasions I saw Rotten Ron punch prisoners to the ground and on other occasions he would take the prisoners into a nearby shed, where he would give them a thorough beating that could be heard all over the farm area.  In 1971 this was accepted Prison practice.

It is fair to say, in the early 1970’s, Rotten Ron was a well respected Prison Officer and a credit to his Aboriginal heritage.  Unfortunately, there is an old Prison saying, “The higher the monkey climbs, the more he bares his arse”, and this was to be the case with Rotten Ron Woodham.  His Prison nick name of “Rotten Ron” was not merely used by prisoners but was also frequently used by Prison Officers as Woodham progressed through the ranks, he emerged as the most corrupt Prison Officer in history within the New South Wales Department of Corrective Services. 

To illustrate this, simply look at what he (Rotten Ron), along with New South Wales Police Detective Inspector Aarne Tees did for Raymond John Denning in securing a release on licence and later a reduced Prison sentence for Denning, who was directly responsible for the death of Prison Overseer Willie Karl Faber.  You can read more of what Woodham and Tees did on behalf of Denning in my eBook, “Murder was my Business - The Lifers”, available through Amazon. 

Ronald (Rotten Ron) George Woodham was directly responsible for ruining my career as a Prison Officer at the rank of Senior Assistant Superintendent in 1985, by using prisoners to give evidence against me in return for him giving the prisoners rewards.  He used the same prisoner informers to give evidence against a number of Prison Officers with favours such as early release, conjugal visits, favourable reports to courts, additional phone calls, extended visits when not entitled, and a reduction in security classification, in aiding the Police to gain convictions in some of their unsolved crimes and to bolster his own reputation and standing within the Department of Corrective Services.  His corruption peaked when he introduced and became the Officer in charge of the Internal Investigation Unit based at the Long Bay Prison Complex, in an effort to justify his position and the continued existence of that Unit.  When there was no corruption amongst the Prison Officers, Ron Woodham used his prisoner informers to tarnish loyal and upright Officers character and honesty with false accusations, lies and defamation.  You can read more about this disgraceful, corrupt effort on Rotten Ron’s behalf in the ICAC Report, “Report on  Investigation into the Use of Informers, January 1993” and also in my eBook, “It’s all in the Fall”, also available on Amazon. 

It was Woodham’s direct corrupt actions that ruined my career and stifled both my life and that of my family, considerably and unjustly.  It took me several years to clear my name and to put the whole matter behind me.  I was not alone.  Woodham was not only corrupt but a bully.  It was his way or the highway.  Many excellent and upright Executive Prison Officers found it necessary to move on to other careers rather than join the corrupt regime orchestrated by Ron Woodham. 

I have no hesitation in telling you that there were no tears lost by my family, close friends or myself when hearing of Woodham’s death.  He was a disgrace to the Department of Corrective Services and the Aboriginal people in general. 

I believe that Ronald George Woodham does not deserve the praise or recognition he has received since his death.   He deserves to be buried face down in unconsecrated ground with an unmarked grave. 

This I believe.

Peter T Egge

Senior Assistant Superintendent (Retired)

 

Saturday 21 November 2020

 

MURDER WAS MY BUSINESS

“THE LIFERS”

By Peter T Egge



 

I am pleased to announce the release of my latest book, Murder was my Business – “The Lifers”.

This is my seventh book that I have written based on New South Wales Prisons during the period that I worked, mainly at the Long Bay Prison Complex during the 1970's up until the mid 1980's.

I have focused on 49 prisoners who had murdered or attempted to murder as early as 1952 through to the 1970's and 1980's. 

I do not know why but I enjoyed working with lifers far more than any other group of prisoners.  At the time, with the exception of just a few, I had no idea of the intimate information concerning the crimes they had committed.  I simply knew that they had murdered one or more persons.  It was better that way, not knowing, as it left me in a more professional position without prejudice against the prisoners I was dealing with on a daily basis. 

For the best part it is only recently whilst researching these lifers that I became aware of the actual crimes they committed.  In some cases I was simply astounded.  Many of the lifers you will know by name.  Some you may know by the crimes they committed and some you may never have heard of.  Let me assure you that I have researched these prisoners thoroughly and I believe every word in “Murder was my Business – The Lifers” to be true and correct.  You may be surprised to learn that seven out of the 49 prisoners that I have focused on were in fact sentenced to Death – to ‘Hang by the Neck until Dead’ and were later commuted to ‘Penal Servitude to Life’. 

I highly recommend this book to all the Prison Officers who worked with me during my career, current Prison Officers and those who are anticipating a career in Corrections, Psychologists, Criminologists and those people who simply love to read true stories involving murder with real names, places and factual cases, as well as what happened to these prisoners during their incarceration.

This I believe.

Peter T. Egge

Senior Assistant Superintendent – (Resigned)

Tuesday 25 February 2020


First Class Correctional Officer Timothy David Burt



Parklea Prison



The New South Wales Department of Corrective Services has never had a good reputation in supporting junior officers.  Head office, (commonly referred to as “Coward’s Castle”), in their wisdom, have developed a standing where they sacrifice junior officers in support of officers higher up the food chain.   

The following extract is an example of making junior officers a sacrificial lamb.


At about 10.30 hours or shortly thereafter, two prisoners escaped over the wall in the activities/oval of the prison.  They were Silva and McMillan and one prisoner failed the fitness test as he was unable to pull himself over the formidable wall of the oval in Parklea Prison, his name was Cooper.  As can only be expected, the “suits” within the Department had to head hunt someone to blame at the lowest level possible in order to protect their mates a little higher up the promotional ladder.    

Mr B Kilcourse of the State Investigative and Security Group, whatever that may be, a senior investigator, was appointed to the task of investigating the circumstances surrounding the escape. He took a statement from Mr Sean Burke, a project manager from Sielox Security Systems who installed and maintained the electronic security and CCTV system. He also took records of interviews from Senior Correctional Officer James Linos and 1st Class Correctional Officer Timothy Burt.

On the 10th January 2002 Mr Kilcourse presented his final report to Mr John Klok, Acting Senior Assistant Commissioner for his perusal and consideration.  I knew Mr Klok from my days working at Long Bay.   If my memory serves me correctly he was a displaced officer from Grafton following the closure of the intractable section and the down grading of HM Gaol Grafton. He was a massive man and he spent sometime in the Special Operations Division SOD. It’s fair to say he was a very good and reliable prison officer.  However I would have thought he may be a little out of his depth as Acting Senior Assistant Commissioner.   My understanding is Mr Kilcourse in his report recommended disciplinary action to be considered against SCO Linos only.  
     
On the 20th January 2002 Mr Klok appointed Deputy Superintendent Robert “Bob” Maher to conduct a preliminary inquiry into alleged breaches of discipline by SCO James Linos and this time included First Class CO Timothy Burt.  Sometime in late February 2002, Mr Maher submitted his report and findings to Mr Klok for his further perusal and consideration.  Mr Maher recommended that SCO Linos and First Class CO Burt be dealt with for a breach of discipline. 

On the 28th February 2002 Mr Klok signed a “letter of charge” against both these fine and well respected officers. By the 2nd April 2002 both officers had submitted written responses to the alleged charges and both denied being negligent. On the same date Mr Burt at least, also made oral representation to Mr Klok, all to no avail.

Mr Klok on the 24th April 2002 found the charges proven and asked both offices to make submissions or representations as to appropriate punishment. A written submission was made on behalf of both officers on the 22nd May 2002 by Mr John Scullion of the NSW Public Service Association. On the 13th June 2002 Mr Klok determined that the punishment would be a fine of $1500 for SCO James Linos and a fine of $1000 for 1st Class CO Timothy Burt.


What happened following the above incident in the case of Mr. Burt, is a complete disgrace on the part of the Department of Corrective Services.  To see how this case turned into a complete fiasco in order to save the Superintendent and the Deputy Superintendent of Parklea Prison, please read my book, “Australia’s Best Prison Stories”, available through Amazon or through this website.

This I believe.

Peter T. Egge

Sunday 6 October 2019


THE BRUCE BRAGG BASHING


On 28th January 1985, prisoner Bruce Bragg was bashed in his cell in 3 Wing while he slept. There were two major times when a prisoner became vulnerable against attack, while showering was normally the number one in maximum security prisons which had almost been eliminated at Parklea due to every cell having its own shower allowing the prisoners to safely shower after lock in. The second was being asleep in bed after the cell doors are opened in the morning. This is what happened to Bruce Bragg.

I was rostered 3 Wing Commander on that day and it was a public holiday. Bill Bailey was rostered Watch Commander. The Officers paraded at 06.00 hours and went directly to their post. Shortly afterwards the Wing Officers commenced the let go and at the same time they did a head count.  Mr Alan Pitt was the First Class Prison Officer in charge of 3 Wing bottom floor and Mr Scott, a baggy arse, was his offsider. I remained on the compound with Mr Bailey, the Deputy Superintendent Ken Jones, and Assistant Superintendent Noel Lenham, waiting for all of the Wing Officers to report the correctness or otherwise of their posts to Mr Bailey.

Mr Bailey had received the reports from all Wing Officers. We had turned and were heading back to the Watch Commander’s office when I heard something that drew my attention.  I turned, facing back towards 3 Wing where I saw a prisoner running towards us, completely naked. At that stage I did not recognise who it was, I simply thought it was some flip being stupid. Mr Bailey was still walking towards his office when I said, “Hey Bill have a look at the cock on this thing”.  We were both laughing our heads off and as Bragg came closer we could see he was bleeding profusely. I enquired, “What happened to you?” Bragg replied, “I fell out of bed”. That was code for ‘I have just been assaulted and I’m not telling you anymore than that’.

Mr Bailey escorted Bragg to the clinic and I went to 3 Wing to attempt to ascertain what had occurred.  Mr Pitt and Mr Scott were at a loss and they genuinely had no idea what had occurred. I went to the cell occupied by Bragg to see it covered in blood.  Had I not seen Bragg running naked towards me, I would have expected someone had been murdered in the cell.  I locked the cell in order to protect the crime scene and reported back to Mr Bailey who was still in the clinic with Bragg, now being attended to by Sister Brown.  I advised Mr. Bailey of how I found the condition of Bragg’s cell.

*  *  *  *

Although violent critical incidents such as this are common occurrences in Maximum Security prisons, I wasn’t to know how six months later this incident was in part responsible for changing my entire life.  To find out more of what occurred within the Bragg bashing and how it affected the rest of my life, read my best selling eBook, “It’s all in the Fall’, available through this website or Amazon.

This I believe.

Peter T Egge


Aerial view of Parklea Prison – 1983

Saturday 27 July 2019


HUEY CARSON

The Huey Carson Drama

The Metropolitan Remand Centre at Long Bay was rarely referred to by its full name.  Sometimes it was simply called the Remand Centre, but mostly it was called the MRC. 

The MRC had two, three story wings, being 12 and 13 Wings, (cell blocks), each having 112 cells, housing 150 prisoners.   All 300 prisoners believed they would beat their charges and would be going home once they had been to court, that is until two or three days prior to their case being heard in court, at which time the realisation that they were about to be told they would not be going home for quite some time, if at all, would hit them hard.  It was for this reason that many of the prisoners were unpredictable and others were just plain dangerous. One such prisoner was Huey Carson, who was often both unpredictable and dangerous.

Carson had a long history of violent behaviour.  He had attacked me in 1972 in the MRP hospital and he was also involved in the Bathurst Gaol riots on 3rd and 4th of February 1974.  You can read all about both incidents in my first book “It’s all in the Fall”. Additionally, I was aware he was involved in several other skirmishes with prison officers.

It was early 1980 when Frank “Karate Jack” Hutchen was relieving the Deputy Superintendent in the MRC. It was not unusual for Mr Hutchen to be relieving in higher positions within the Long Bay complex. It was about 16.00 hours when he was putting his cap on ready to go home, it had been a long day and I can only guess that he was thinking about going home to his beloved wife Rose and to feed his birds in his exceptional aviaries.

A young junior prison officer hurried in to Mr Hutchen’s office and exclaimed, “A prisoner has just tried to stab me with a pair of shears”.  He continued, “He’s gone up to the maintenance shed”.  If there was one thing I had learned about Mr Hutchen, regardless of the fact that it was knock off time, he was always going to support his junior officers.  I know he had supported me on numerous occasions.

Mr Hutchen made his way to the maintenance shed where he found a prisoner Huey Carson holding not a pair of shears as the young prison officer had thought, but a pair of scissors that he had taken from the barber in one hand, and a shovel in the other.  Mr Hutchen tried to talk to Carson one on one in the hope that he could calm him sufficiently to disarm him. Instead Carson said in his very aggressive manner, “I’m going to cut your head off with a shovel”. With that said, Carson swung the shovel hard and fast at Mr Hutchen, who managed to dodge the shovel as it hit the top of the door frame with such force that it broke and dislodged a brick.

To find out how this story unfolded and more about Frank (Karate Jack) Hutchen, read my eBook “Australia’s Best Prison Stories”, available through this website or Amazon.