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)

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 1^st Class Correctional Officer Timothy Burt.

On the 10^th 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 20^th 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 28^th February 2002 Mr Klok signed a “letter of charge” against both these fine and well respected officers. By the 2^nd 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 24^th 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 22^nd May 2002 by Mr John Scullion of the NSW Public Service Association. On the 13^th June 2002 Mr Klok determined that the punishment would be a fine of $1500 for SCO James Linos and a fine of $1000 for 1^st 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