It's all in the fall

It has taken thirty years for me to be able to tell my story of the
corruption, injustice and hardship my family and I were forced to
endure during the later years and well beyond my position of Senior
Assistant Superintendent (SAS), (Commissioned Officer), with the New
South Wales Department of Corrective Services.

I refuse to say I was a victim, although you may choose to use the
term. I prefer and believe that as we travel through our lives we all
have many ups and downs and it is how you deal with them and what
we learn from them that make our journey in life meaningful. My
mother in-law had an appropriate quote, “Happiness is not the
destination but the travelling!” “Bobby McCarthy 1910 -1994”.

I became a Prison Officer in 1971 and rose through the ranks to my
substantive rank of Senior Assistant Superintendent, through hard
work and study. I had always been a loyal, honest and a forthright
officer, I was clean in uniform, in other words I was unbending and
unyielding in my pursuit against graft and corruption and carried out my
duties with the full proficiency they deserved.

I could not write a book purely on my demise and the pain and
suffering that overcame my family, extended family and me.
Being a Prison Officer was my life and I loved every minute of it. The
daily challenges, the camaraderie of my fellow Officers I have worked
with, and alongside some of the hardest men in the country on both
sides of the fence.

My book will take you on my journey, briefly looking at my pre Prison
Officer life, through to my recruitment, training and the day to day
events as I gained experience and worked my way through the ranks,
arrest, court appearances, my imprisonment and my long fight for
justice.
4

This is a book like no other. It deals with lots of stories that have
never been told and some that have, although never from my
perspective. Some are funny, some are horrific and some are very
sad, and on some occasions I allow you to enter my mindset and tell
you what I was thinking at the time of particular events and incidents
as they unfolded.

This book is based on fact. I have kept very accurate records and
court transcripts. I was personally involved with every story or I was on
the peripheral edge, either way I was directly involved and have
firsthand knowledge of every occurrence I have written about.

My aim is to give you an in-depth view of the New South Wales prison
system in the 1970s and 80s, and the reality of the day to day running
of the prison system in that era. The prison system is a lot different
today and not necessarily for the better. Together we will learn “It’s all
in the Fall”

Peter T Egge
Senior Assistant Superintendent
(Resigned)