In 1972 the mail room at the Long Bay Prison Complex was moved to a new location in the newly built Boom Gate at the entrance to the complex.First Class Prison Officer Thelma Langford was in charge of the mail room. I was at that stage a base rate Prison Officer.
From time to time all junior officers were required to report to the mail room to assist in the censoring of the prisoners’ mail and enter the mail into a large log book.
Working with Thelma Langford could only be described as a pleasure. It was a fun place to be. Thelma would always have great stories to tell and was not backward in letting the junior officers know what her philosophies were on prison reform.
One such gem amongst her many philosophies was, “At Mulawa, we turn prostitutes into call girls”. That was her view on rehabilitation of female prisoners.
Thelma was just a great lady to work with who had a wicked sense of humour.
When I told my brother Phillip that Thelma had passed away, he said, “She was just a lovely lady”, and as simple as that sounds, it is exactly what she was.
Her persona was that of a very hard officer and I have no doubt if the occasion arose, she could be. The Thelma I knew was a highly respected officer, very efficient and diligent in carrying out her duties and at the same time always enjoyed a yarn and some good hearted fun.
You can read more stories about Thelma Langford in my first book, It’s All in the Fall, on page 52 under the title “Thelma Langford – Hard as nails, heart of gold”.
I am not sure of the details in relation to her age or the cause of her passing. She will be sorely missed by her family and the friends and officers who knew and respected her.
Peter T Egge
