DIRECTOR LAUREN OLIVER

A disgrace to her uniform and dishonourable conduct towards the memory of thousands of hard working, honest prison officers from yesteryear

I do not know Ms Lauren Oliver, the Director of Brush Farm Training Academy.  To the best of my knowledge, I have never met her, nor do I particularly want to.   You can imagine my dismay when I received an email from a good friend that contained an article from the Sunday Telegraph dated 26th June 2016, page 40, written by Jordan Baker.   The article focus, as I see it, was on Prison Officer Recruitment and Training.   Ms Oliver referred to Prison Officers from years gone by as, “Those old fat white guys wouldn’t last very long these days”.   She continued on, “That’s the old culture, our staff is fighting so hard against that”.    Further she inferred we could not de-escalate a situation and went on to state, “Modern guards have to be good communicator’s, and fit enough to respond to an emergency”, surmising my generation of Prison Officers could not.

I found her quoted statement’s instantly racist, offensive, degrading and completely ill informed, in fact she is totally wrong.   She has also dramatically reduced the status of her own trainee’s by referring to them as “Guards”.   When I trained Prison Officers in 1978 and 1979 I trained “Prison Officers” not “Guards”.

This lady has no understanding of the history of prisons in New South Wales.   Prison is the oldest occupation in Australia.   Just to enlighten Ms Oliver, in January 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip landed on the Kurnell Peninsula following a gruelling eight months at sea with a fleet of 11 ships with 1,030 people on board of which three quarters were convicts.   He was Admiral of the fleet and his flag ship was HMS Sirius.   It is not for me or Ms Oliver to be critical of how the convicts were treated in the late 1700s; it was the way prisoners were treated in those days by law, other than to say the system was very hard, nor is it ok for Ms Oliver to criticise my fellow prison officers of my generation of the 1970s and the early 1980s, other than to say “It was a hard place for hard men”.

The way we carried out our duties was strictly by way of the Prisons act, Regulations and Prison Rules, in other words we were legally bound in the operation of our duty.   We were all very proud of the way we conducted ourselves and still are, and rightfully so.  I reached the rank of Senior Assistant Superintendent and was among the very first of the Executive Prison Officers to be Commissioned by the Governor of New South Wales in 1984.

As for her reference to, “those old fat white guys”; is Ms Oliver aware that Australia had a White Australia Policy up until 1973 and in 1975 the Whitlam Government introduced the Racial Discrimination Act.   All of this did not stop the Department of Corrective Services from hiring a number of European, Indian and of course Australian Aboriginal Officers, in fact she may remember one, the previous Commissioner of Corrective Services in New South Wales, Mr Ronald George Woodham.   The last time I looked, terms such as, “Those fat white guys” were in breach of the Anti Discrimination Act.

Ms Oliver and her softly softly, touchy feely way of dealing with crims is a complete failure.   As a result, the whole modern penal system is nothing short of a joke.

The Australian population in 1976 was around 14,000,000

The Australian population in 2016 is around     24,000,000

An increase of about 71%

The NSW prison population in 1976 was around       4,000

The NSW prison population in 2016 is around         11,000

An increase of about 275%

How does Ms Oliver explain the following simple facts?   If the Australian population has only increased 71% in forty years and the number of criminals under her care has increased a massive 275% in the same forty years, the current prison system is long overdue to have an enquiry into its failure, and perhaps the recruitment and training methods of Ms Oliver.

The Government’s resources which are funded by the tax payer are being wasted on “Bull Shit” programs.  Ms Oliver proudly proclaimed she was going to be training 1400 “Guards” this year.  Well hell Ms Oliver, in 1976 there were only 1500 prison officer’s in the whole of New South Wales.

I would suggest Ms Oliver that you think before you open your mouth, and consider those hard working, honest and brave prison officers whose good name and reputation you have deliberately chosen to besmirch.

I would also suggest you read my books “It’s All in the Fall”, “Cutting the Bars-Volume 1”, “Cutting the Bars-Volume 2”, and “Cutting the Bars-Volume 3”, to enlighten yourself as to what the prisons were really like and what the officers had to contend with in the 1970s and 1980s.   I may suggest that it is you Ms Lauren Oliver that would not last very long at all in those days.

This I believe

PETER T EGGE
I most cordially invite Ms Oliver the right of reply, or indeed to offer her apology to those like me who were so hurt by her stinging, flippant, uneducated remarks.

ROGER ROGERSON AND GLEN MACNAMARA

Yesterday 15th June 2016, a jury made up of 12 men and women, being the two accused peers, found ex-Police Detectives Roger Rogerson and Glen McNamara, guilty of crimes associated with the murder of Jamie Gao.


I was somewhat taken aback by Detective Inspector Russell Oxford boasting how he had put many hours of work into gaining the conviction of these two ex-corrupt Police Officers.  To my mind, it was a celebratory speech by the Detective Inspector.   I have seen this type of behaviour from plain clothed Police Officers previously, including celebrations partaking in alcohol.   It is all about the conviction and the possibility of promotions thereafter.   I have no doubt that it will not be long and we will be hearing Detective Inspector Russell Oxford has been promoted to Superintendent.   A victory speech is unbecoming of a person at the illustrious rank of Detective Inspector.   The Police Commissioner should not condone that type of behaviour, regardless of the work that has obviously been put in by his team.  

Also last night, there was a 60 Minutes special on Roger Rogerson in particular.   Please bear in mind that Rogerson and McNamara at this point of time have been found guilty of the offenses associated with the murder of Jamie Gao.   Neither man has been sentenced and it is certainly not my intention to influence the judicial system in any way whatsoever.   These two convicted prisoners will also be entitled to the Appeal’s process, regardless of the sentence they receive.  

Have no doubt how I feel towards these two men.   If all the allegations are true and at the end of the Appeal’s process they remain convicted prisoners, I will have no sympathy whatsoever towards them.   I hope that if this is the case, they die in Gaol and be buried face down in an unmarked grave.

Former under cover Police Officer Mick Drury was the focal point of the 60 Minutes program last night.   He came across to me as a genuine and humble person who had lost everything, including his wife and family, as a result of being shot through his kitchen window while his family were in the home.   Mr. Drury alleged that Roger Rogerson was the driver of the car in which the assailant, Christopher Dale Flannery (Mr. Rent-a-kill), fired the shots from close range, directly outside his kitchen window.   As Mr. Drury told his story from the kitchen in which the incident occurred, he had to stop on at least one occasion, as he quivered, tears came to his eyes and he left the room, after which he apologised to this very experienced investigative reporter, Liz Hayes, who was also in tears, as he recalled in the moments after being shot, seeing his life flash before him, and just wanting to kiss his two little girls, having no idea if he would see them again, (paraphrasing).   I have never met Mr. Drury, however I have great sympathy towards him.  It was following his shooting that I have always insisted in my own home that all curtains and blinds are to be closed when the lights go on.

The entire episode from 60 Minutes was quite damaging towards ex-Detective Sergeant Roger Rogerson as he had previously been charged and found not guilty of offences relating to those put forward during the show.   He had however, been charged, convicted and imprisoned of offenses relating to two hidden bank accounts, kept under false names, one of which was so blatant that it was under the name of Dick Tracey (the famous cartoon detective). These two bank accounts contained an amount of in excess of one hundred thousand dollars.

Roger Rogerson in the early 70’s was well known by the New South Wales public and the criminal element in particular.   He was at that stage, touted to become a future Police Commissioner.   It is a dreadful outcome that such a high profile, well respected Police Officer became so corrupt that some 40 years later, he is found guilty of murder and what makes it worse, he was not the only corrupt Police Officer forcing the New South Wales Government to hold a Royal Commission into the New South Wales Police Force.   I am still seeing signs of corrupt behaviour from plain clothed Police Officers in New South Wales.   Perhaps it is time for another Royal Commission as the first one failed to completely root out that dreadful stain on society, corruption within the Police Force.

You can read more about Roger Rogerson in my latest book Cutting the Bars – Volume 3, including how he won the coveted Peter Mitchell Award for the recapture of convicted escaped criminal, Garry John Purdey in 1980, and his involvement in the investigation of the murdered schoolgirl in the septic tank, leading to the conviction of Bruce Kenneth Mackenzie.   (Interestingly, Mick Drury won the same award the following year.) 

Detective Sergeant Roger Rogerson

In the 1970’s and early 1980’s, Detective Sergeant Roger Rogerson was without doubt was one of the best known and well respected Police Officers in the New South Wales Police Force.

He was a member of the Police Armed Holdup Squad and was often called in to assist with other major crime.  He was during this period touted to be a future New South Wales Police Commissioner.

D.S. Rogerson was heavily involved in two cases that I have written about in my new book Cutting the Bars – Volume 3, the first being the re-capture of prison escapee Gary Purdey who was my head sweeper in 3 wing in the Central Industrial Prison during 1975/6.   He was later transferred to Goulburn prison where he escaped in early 1980 from the low security section which is situated outside of the maximum security main walls with three other prisoners, Peter Haggart, Larry Foley and Ian Lochran.   For his part in the recapture of Garry Purdey, DS Rogerson was awarded the coveted Peter Mitchell Award.

The second case that I have written about that he was involved in was the infamous case of the murdered girl, Maureen Bradley, who was found in a septic tank.

I have read DS Rogerson’s accounts involving both cases and his side of the stories do not correlate with all other research I have carried out from reputable sources in relation to the facts surrounding these events.

Amazingly Detective Sergeant Roger Rogerson crossed the forbidden line and was later charged and imprisoned involving crimes unrelated to these events.

There is an old saying, ‘when you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas’, and that is how I perceive the situation involving Roger Rogerson.

Sketch courtesy of Robert A Wood

New South Wales Commissioner of Corrective Services - Peter Severin

I do not know Mr. Severin, I have never met him.   From the media reports I have read, I believe he is a crim lover and an historical vandal who does not have an original thought in his head.

I have been told that he is from South Africa and at some stage was involved with the South Australian Prison System although I have not confirmed those facts.

My reasoning for my accusations in the first paragraph is as follows:

It was announced last week that up to 40 prisoners will be taken on picnics and shopping sprees etc with volunteers.  Dr Vinson, when he was in the same position of Commissioner of Corrective Services, tried these types of programs in the early 80’s and they were a failure then.   The only difference being, Dr Vinson had properly trained Prison Officers to escort the prisoners, not untrained, “cheap labour” volunteers.

The whole system is open to corruption or at best the perception of corruption.   Who is going to select the 40 prisoners?   That person will definitely be open to approaches of corruption by prisoners or their families and friends, who will be borderline candidates for selection.   What about other prisoners who meet the criteria and are not selected and the discontentment that will create.

As far as the volunteers are concerned, they will be of the “bleeding heart” variety and their connection with criminals will create severe problems within their own families.   This is not new.   Once again, in Dr. Vinson’s time, volunteers were involved in prisoner programs and more than one volunteer’s family had been broken up as a result.

My own female cousin had left her husband after volunteering in a program at Parramatta Gaol and became involved with a very dangerous armed robber.   Not long after the prisoner’s release, he severed the relationship with her.   These situations always result in an unhappy ending.

There is no evidence to support these programs have any effect on the rehabilitation of prisoners, in fact without scientific evidence, I believe these types of programs make gaol a more attractive proposition to commit an offence as there is no deterrent in being sent to prison.

I most strongly believe that the silent majority of the public do not want their prisoners treated with kid gloves, fattened on T bone steaks and kept in conditions better than most aged pensioners.   They do however want their prisoners to be treated humanely with adequate diets, be offered programs scientifically approved to assist rehabilitation where possible and retribution with sound outcomes for the victims and families.

Mr. Severin also announced in the last few weeks the sale and closure of the Long Bay Prison Complex.   The Long Bay Prison Complex dates back to 1901 and carries with it a large slice of Australian history of more than 115 years.   There is nothing new concerning greedy developers seeking the valuable land that the Long Bay Prison Complex sits on.   That has been going on since before I became a Prison Officer in 1971.   No doubt the acquisition of the Complex has been an easy decision for the Department and the New South Wales Government following decades of mismanagement of public taxes in their efforts to keep abreast of the never ending requirement to maintain infrastructure in the sprawling Sydney area to which they have all failed.

New South Wales was the first penal settlement in Australia when Captain Arthur Phillip set foot on land in 1788 with the first ships loaded with convicts from mother England.   The last convict ship, the Hougoumont, left Britain in 1867 and arrived in Western Australia on 10th January 1868.   In all, about 164,000 convicts were transported to the Australian colonies between 1788 and 1868 on board 806 ships.

Selling the Long Bay Prison Complex can be described as nothing less than disgraceful and historical vandalism.   All those involved in the decision to sell such an historical complex should hang their heads in shame until the day they die.   To my mind the Commissioner Mr Severin is a do-gooder and panders only to the crim lovers and the bleeding heart brigade.   He should resign from this most distinguished position or be sacked by the New South Wales Government.

Let’s turn the clock back and make gaols a place to be feared and not a holiday haven, and in doing so prevent people with borderline criminal persuasions and to remain law abiding citizens that the public demand.

This I believe
Peter T Egge

You can read more about my thoughts on these matters and true stories to back them up in all my books, especially my latest being Cutting the Bars – Volume 3.

My new book is now out

Volume three of Cutting The Bars is now out and is $3 

To get your copy,  - Click Here

Good News

Cutting the Bars - Volume 3 should be ready for release some time over the next few weeks.   It is full of exciting, true stories involving real Prison Officers and real criminals.   You will be able to read the true backgrounds behind each one.   There are some great photographs and also great sketches by the very talented Robert A. Wood.

I believe this to be my best book yet, but unfortunately it will be my last based on the New South Wales Prison system in the 1970's and 1980's.

If you haven't caught up with Volumes 1 and 2 of Cutting the Bars, may I suggest that you download a copy to read prior to the release of Volume 3.

Hope everyone enjoys them.
Peter T Egge

RIOT IN THE CENTRAL INDUSTRIAL PRISON, LONG BAY, ON 23RD AUGUST 1978

On 23rd August 1978, Stan Morgan was the Acting Superintendent in the Central Industrial Prison at Long Bay Gaol.   It is fair to say that he was an old man nearing retirement.  He lacked general duties experience having spent most of his career driving trucks for the stores at Parramatta Gaol.

The executive staff received information that the prisoners were going to riot.   Frank (Karate Jack) Hutchen was Deputy Superintendent and had organised the implementation of an evacuation plan, should this occur.

When the prisoners began to riot, Mr. Morgan hesitated when it came to making decisions and failed to take corrective action, preferring to wait for the Commission, Dr. Tony Vincent, to arrive in order to take control.

In doing so Mr. Morgan began to show signs of experiencing a heart attack to which Mr. Hutchen suggested he go home, leaving him to take control.

Read my book "Cutting the Bars - Volume 1" to find out the dramatic ending to this story.