THE PASSING OF DR. TONY VINSON

Dr. Vinson had the most unenviable job of replacing who I believe was the best New South Wales Commissioner of Corrective Services in living memory, Mr. Walter McGeechan.  Mr. McGeechan was politically disposed of following the Royal Commission into New South Wales Prisons which culminated in 1978.

It came about following the horrific prison riot in Her Majesty’s Gaol Bathurst on 3rd and 4th February 1974.   The prison system at that time was dramatically underfunded and under supported by the New South Wales Parliament and in an effort to cover that lack of necessary recourses, Parliament appointed Justice J F Nagle to investigate the New South Wales prisons with Royal Commission powers.

As a result, Mr. McGeechan was unceremoniously dumped.  Noel Day was placed in charge temporarily until Dr. Tony Vinson was officially appointed to the position.

It was a thankless job that Dr. Vinson was given.   His objective was to introduce change as per the recommendations of the Nagel Royal Commission.   It is human nature to reject change and it is fair to say that the majority of Prison Officers, me included, opposed the multitude of changes that he was endeavouring to impose on the prison system.

However, there is no doubting the difficulty he endured and the dedication to his objectives that Dr. Vinson faced.   He was seen by many Prison Officers as a “do-gooder” and a “crim-lover”.   He was by profession an educator.   The majority of the recommendations of the Royal Commission were in favour of the prisoners and very few were in favour of the Prison Officers, therefore creating a dilemma for Dr. Vinson and a degree of unrest amongst many Prison Officers.  This made Dr. Vinson an extremely unpopular Commissioner within the Prison Officer ranks, second only to the current Commission Mr. Severin.

In 1980, I was studying the four year Certificate in Personnel Administration.  My brother Phillip was studying a four year Certificate in Business Management.   Both qualifications were highly sought after in both the private and public sector.   I had made application to spend five days working in the personnel section within the Department of Corrective Services and my brother Phillip had also made application to spend five days working alongside Dr. Vinson.   Our applications were supported by the Superintendent of Cessnock Corrective Centre, George Cornford.   Dr. Vinson approved both applications and the experience we gained was a huge learning curve for both of us.

The prison unrest and riots did not cease as a result of the change in Commissioner.   There was a major riot at the historic Her Majesty’s Gaol Parramatta during Dr. Vinson’s regime.   You can read all about the riot at Parramatta Gaol that occurred in 1980 and Dr. Vinson’s involvement, in my new book Australia’s Best Prison Stories.

Dr. Vinson passed away at the age of 81 on 17th February of this year.   I hope Dr. Vinson finds true peace in his life thereafter.

This I believe.
Peter T Egge

THE GEOFFREY PEARCE STORY

INSIDE THE INVESTIGATION

By 1990 I had well and truly moved on from my days with the Department of Corrective Services following the dramatic turn of events that ended my career.    You can read all about that in my book “It’s all in the Fall”, in fact you could say I expected to have very little or nothing at all to do with prisons, prison officers or prisoners in any way whatsoever.

I had been advised to move on with my life, and that’s exactly what I did.  I was given a start at Webster’s Security and Investigations as an investigator and surveillance operative, at that time the largest privately owned investigation company in the southern hemisphere, owned and operated by Sydney businessman Richard T. Mailey.  By 1992 I had progressed rapidly to the position of National Security Manager.  Although specialising in security I had still maintained my investigation licence.

I had received a phone call early in September in 1992 from Greg Keating, a solicitor from McClellands Solicitors in Sydney.  Of course the name rang a bell, Paul Keating was the current Prime Minister of Australia at the time and although there was no apparent likeness, I wasn’t surprised to learn that he was Paul Keating’s brother.  To me they were like chalk and cheese.  Greg Keating was very much his own person with a strong identity.  Apart from the surname, there was not a particular likeness between the two.  Greg was much shorter than his more famous brother, he wore glasses and strangely enough, even before having it confirmed I was not surprised to learn that they were brothers, as Greg possessed a certain air of importance about him, not dissimilar to his brother.  I found Greg Keating to be a very friendly young man completely focused on the job at hand.

Mr Keating was at that stage handling all the cases pertaining to the Public Service Association (PSA). I had known him from the work he had prepared for my own case, and of course he knew me and was well aware of my experience and qualifications.  He told me he was representing Geoffrey Pearce on behalf of the PSA.  I had followed the case as much as I possibly could in the media as it was such a devastating outcome for young Geoff and of course for his family.  Mr Keating asked me if I would help with the case by doing the investigation on behalf of the PSA representing Geoffrey Pearce.  This was a case I was especially interested in.   I had confidence in my ability to do the enquiry justice, I had the knowledge and skills required and I knew it was a case I could really sink my teeth into.

A short time later I received a letter from Mr Keating dated 14 September 1992 outlining my instructions as to what enquires I should undertake and directing my attention to certain documents the Department had produced by an “Order of Discovery”.   These are the records and relevant testimonials set by the Department to formulate all of the documents relative to issues between the parties in this case.

The NSW Department of Corrective Services were notorious for holding back documents and other evidence when served with an Order of Discovery.   I had seen Michael Yabsley, the Minister for the Department, on the television sitting alongside Geoff during an interview, spruiking how he and the government would stand by Geoff and give him every support he could possibly need, going to exaggerated lengths to show great compassion and concern for this young officer who through no fault of his own, was facing a death sentence.  Geoff sat quietly alongside him looking almost stunned and despondent, yet I am certain that he believed every word Mr Yabsley uttered during his noble guarantee to support Geoff and provide him with every possible assistance the Department could offer.  That news report will haunt me for life as I watched a young, ambitious prison officer dealt a bitterly cruel blow with such a bleak future ahead.

Geoff, from my observations, was quite simply left out in the cold the very moment the cameras were turned off.  The PSA were left to pick up the pieces and take this critical incident to court in an effort to secure him some real compensation to enable Geoff to have some sort of comfort in the short amount of time he would have left with his family.  Bearing in mind, in 1990, treatment for HIV was very much in its infancy and almost always resulted in a quick and certain death sentence.

To learn more about how this courageous officer was let down by the Minister and the Administration of the Department of Corrective Services, and what I uncovered during the investigation, read pages 284 to 302 of my new book, Australia’s Best Prison Stories.  I believe it is unbelievable that the Department’s tactics were deliberate and calculated to ensure Geoffrey Pearce did not receive the full amount of compensation that he should have received.

This I believe.
Peter Egge

Photo of Geoff courtesy of Robert A Wood

Lunch with Charlie Geddes.

On Friday 10th February I had lunch with my old work mate Charlie Geddes.

I had trained Charlie at Long Bay Officers Training Unit and later worked with him at Cessnock Corrective Centre.   He had spent the best part of his working life previously in the Australian Air Force so it was not a coincidence that we had lunch at the Air Force Officer’s Club.   It was great catching up with Charlie and talking about old times.

You can read more about Charlie’s exploits at Cessnock Corrective Centre in my new book Australia’s Best Prison Stories.  I feel sure that you will enjoy his light hearted accounts of his experiences.

Peter T. Egge

RELEASE OF MY NEW BOOK

AUSTRALIA’S BEST PRISON STORIES

I am proud to announce the release of my new book, Australia’s Best Prison Stories, which has many new untold stories and some of my old stories up-dated and re-written.

I feel sure that if you enjoyed reading my other four books, It’s all in the Fall and Cutting the Bars – Volumes 1, 2 and 3, you will most certainly enjoy this book.  

It has many stories involving individual Prison Officer’s careers including the roller coaster ride of the 30 year career of Senior Correctional Officer Michael Kay, through to the investigation of the Geoffrey Pearce tragedy.  This side of the story has never been told before.

Read about Australia’s worst killers and criminals.     Learn what both prison officers and prisoners do on a daily basis behind those 30 foot high brick walls with armed officers looking down.  You will witness riots, murders, corruption, escapes, explosives and some very poor as well as wise decision making.

All my stories are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.   I know you will enjoy them.

For more information on my book - CLICK HERE

Peter T. Egge

MURDER AND MAYHEM IN NEW SOUTH WALES GAOLS

On today’s news, (Tuesday 3rd January 2017), I have noticed two major events in the New South Wales Prison system under the management and responsibility of Peter Severin, the current ineffectual NSW Commissioner of Corrective Services.


Firstly, the completely avoidable murder of a 71 year old prisoner, allegedly bashed to death by his 77 year old, triple murderer cell mate.


Even in the early 1970s when overcrowding in the New South Wales prison system was at its peak, triple murderers were never place two out, (two prisoners per cell).  Lifers were always one prisoner per cell.


To my mind, having these two elderly prisoners in the one cell borders on criminal negligence and this killing should never have occurred.


Once again, it reflects purely on the management of the prison system, trying to save a few dollars and in their vain efforts to do so, have cost a 71 year old prisoner his life.


The devastation to this man’s family is irreversible and is completely unwarranted.


I hope the family sues the Department of Corrective Services for their utter negligence by not affording this man safe and proper care.


Also today I have noticed a major riot at Bathurst Gaol where a prison officer was injured and chemical weapons were needed to control the prisoners.   Obviously Mr. Severin’s favoured Training Director Ms. Lauren Oliver has once again failed in her training of the prison officers as they were clearly unable to de-escalate a volatile situation correctly.


There have been no lessons learnt from the dreadful and devastating riot at the same gaol on 3rd and 4th February 1974.   You can read more about the destruction and riot at Bathurst Gaol in my book It’s all in the Fall available from this webpage or Amazon.


This I believe.

Peter T Egge

JAILBREAK

I have finished ”, Australia’s Most Unforgettable Prison Escapes.   There are some sensational stories of prison escapes within this book from all over Australia.

Having been a Prison Officer in New South Wales, led me to read the stories from that state first, before venturing on to the others.  I was fascinated by every story in the book.  

I was particularly taken by the story titled “WA’s Favourite Bushranger” – Moondyne Joe.   Although he probably was not a bushranger in the strict sense of the word, he was definitely a rogue, an outlaw and an escapologist.

His story led me to learn the poem “The ballad of Moondyne Joe”.   It is great fun to sit around with family, especially your children and grandchildren, and recite a poem from memory.   For your enjoyment I have included the poem.

The Ballad of Moondyne Joe

In the Darling Ranges, many years ago,
There lived a daring outlaw, by the name of ‘Moondyne Joe’
He stole the squatter’s horses, and a sheep or two or three,
The troopers said we’ll catch him, but we know it’s all in vain,
Every time we lock him up he breaks right out again.
‘Cause in he goes, and out he goes, and off again he’ll go,
There’s not a gaol in WA can keep in ‘Moondyne Joe’.

I highly recommend the book “Jailbreak” by Wendy Lewis. It is an interesting, well written and thoroughly researched book, and I give it 4 ¾ stars out of 5.

You can find more details on www.echopbulishing.com.au

Peter T Egge

SEVERIN MUST GO!!

Last week I received a copy of a letter from a good friend and a Prison Officer from yesteryear regarding Lauren Oliver, the Director of Training at Brushfarm Prison Officer Training Academy.

I have written a number of blogs regarding Ms Oliver and her outrageous statements recently concerning the “fat old white guys” as she labeled the Prison Officers from my era.

What Mr. Severin and Ms Oliver have done is underestimated the tenacity and willpower to see issues through to the end as we are never going to give up on these two over paid Public Servants.

I recently received my copy of The Red Tape, dated December 2016 to January 2017.    The Red Tape is the official tabloid for the Public Service Association and although I have not worked inside a Gaol since the late 1980’s, I am still a retired member of the PSA.

I read with interest under Mr. Severin’s watch, and he IS responsible for what occurs within his Department, a Prison Officer at Cessnock Corrective Centre who was suffering from a long term illness, took sick leave.   His position within the Department was an Overseer.   The Officer met all of the criteria under the Department’s sick leave policy.   The article does not indicate what the Officer’s condition was, however I somehow suspect that it may have been stress related.   The Officer, during his leave, completed a marathon event which as I understand it, physical exercise was recommended by his medical practitioner.  

A Line Manager at Cessnock Corrective Centre, and I am not quite sure of the level this person held, rejected and recorded his absence as “not acceptable”.

The PSA contacted the Director of Corrective Services Industries who refused to reverse the Line Manager’s decision.  A dispute was lodged with the Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales.   There the Commissioner Newall issued a recommendation stating, “It seems inescapable that whatever view one takes of the reasons underpinning this absence, if a Registered Medical Practitioner tells the Agency with full knowledge of what he is writing, that a man was unfit for work…..”    Mr. Newall went on to say that the employee should be paid the time he spent away from work.

Of course under Mr. Severin’s leadership, the Department declined to accept Mr. Newall’s recommendation and sought to have the matter arbitrated.

The matter was heard before Commissioner Murphy and the PSA argued the employee had run the marathon on a rostered day off and had been advised that exercise would actually assist him in his condition.  Commissioner Murphy ruled in favour of the employee, ordering the Corrective Services to pay the outstanding leave.

This is where Mr. Severin fails in his duties as Commissioner of Department of Corrective Services.   He has allowed his underlings within the Department to fight a sick leave entitlement, of less than $2,000, that the decision was always going to be in favour of the employee and costing the Department around $20,000 to reach this failed ruling, is simply outrageous, has no economic sense at all and can only be described as a waste of good tax payer’s money.

Mr. Severin is a disgrace.   He is a do-gooder, he has ruined the reputations of those gallant Prison Officers of yesteryear, he does not run his Department using economical common sense and I suspect he plays the “Yes Minister” game to his own advantage.

He should resign under his own volition or alternatively the Minister must sack this man before he causes any further damage to the Department with which he is solely responsible.


This I believe
Peter T Egge