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Muster of elderly prisoners in NSW jails growing by the day

THE muster of elderly prisoners in NSW jails is growing by the day, from hardened villains to once-venerated pillars of society and, as of today, disgraced businessman and convicted killer Ron Medich. Here are some of the high profile elderly crims behind bars.

ROGER Rogerson can lead the old-school singalongs — just don’t order any toasted sandwiches.

The muster of elderly prisoners in NSW jails is growing by the day, from hardened villains to once-venerated pillars of society and, as of today, disgraced businessman and convicted killer Ron Medich.

Ron Medich leaves James St Court today after being sentenced for the murder of business enemy Michael McGurk. Picture: Jenny Evans
Ron Medich leaves James St Court today after being sentenced for the murder of business enemy Michael McGurk. Picture: Jenny Evans

Ageing inmates are an increasing concern for prison authorities because the correctional system is just not designed to cater for the health problems of old age — including dementia and cancer — but they’re not going away.

Elderly sex offenders are now being convicted well into their 70s and 80s, often many decades after committing their crimes, thanks to a growing climate of awareness and disclosure about child sex abuse.

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A Newcastle magistrate is presently considering his decision about whether to jail Catholic Archbishop Philip Wilson, 67, who was last month convicted of failing to report allegations of child sexual abuse against paedophile priest Father Jim Fletcher.

Wilson’s barrister, fierce QC Ian Temby, has already made impassioned pleas to the court to keep his client out of jail, because he has poor health and would be vulnerable to attacks.

“These considerations would impact substantially on the Archbishop’s health and wellbeing and may even threaten his survival,” Mr Temby told the court.

In the past five years, the number of prisoners aged over 50 increased by one third, and now account for more than 15 per cent of the prison population.

Ron Medich is 70 now and won’t be eligible for parole until two months before he turns 100. Picture: AAP
Ron Medich is 70 now and won’t be eligible for parole until two months before he turns 100. Picture: AAP

That means taxpayers will be required to fork out for mobility aids such as ramps and easy-access chairs and beds, as well as more demands for specialist visits, chronic disease management and palliative care, according to a 2015 report commissioned by NSW Parliament.

Dementia is also more likely to afflict people in prison, according to a 2014 paper by Alzheimer’s Australia NSW, which said the same factors that land people in jail — post-traumatic stress disorder and drug and alcohol abuse — also increase their risk of mental decline in their latter years.

High profile elderly prisoners currently residing behind bars in NSW include:

ROGER ROGERSON

The corrupt former NSW detective, 77, is serving a life sentence for the murder of student and drug dealer Jamie Gao, whom he and another former cop, Glen McNamara, shot in a storage unit before dumping the body off Cronulla in 2014.

Roger Rogerson is taken away to jail by Corrective Services after being found guilty of the murder of Jamie Gao.
Roger Rogerson is taken away to jail by Corrective Services after being found guilty of the murder of Jamie Gao.

Rogerson, whose hobby is piano-playing, was the lucky recipient of a $250 electronic keyboard from prison authorities, to aid his popular singalongs in Long Bay’s Kevin Waller Unit, which cares for elderly and infirm residents.

Frank Sinatra’s My Way is reportedly Roger’s greatest hit.

NEDDY SMITH

Only a stone’s throw away in Long Bay’s hospital wing is Roger’s former mate and now sworn enemy Arthur Neddy Smith, 73, one of the state’s most notorious crims, who is serving life for the murder of a brothel-keeper and the murder-in-company of a tow-truck driver.

Arthur Neddy Smith, who has Parkinson’s disease, is one of the state’s most high maintenance prisoners.
Arthur Neddy Smith, who has Parkinson’s disease, is one of the state’s most high maintenance prisoners.

Smith, who has Parkinson’s disease and shakes uncontrollably, famously tried to escape from Prince of Wales hospital in Randwick after the guards supposedly watching him fell asleep. High-needs elderly inmates such as Smith need regular treatment in hospital when prison medical services can’t meet their needs, providing ample opportunities for escape attempts.

EDDIE OBEID

A former NSW cabinet minister and ultimate Labor Party powerbroker, 74-year-old Obeid was convicted of misconduct in public office in 2016 and is serving a maximum five-year sentence, after a jury found him guilty over his role in the 2007 grant of Circular Quay cafe leases to companies controlled by his own family.

Former state Labor MP Eddie Obeid is serving a minimum of five years in jail for misconduct. Picture: AAP
Former state Labor MP Eddie Obeid is serving a minimum of five years in jail for misconduct. Picture: AAP

IAN MACDONALD

The Independent Commission Against Corruption scored one of its greatest scalps with the exposure of corruption by Ian Macdonald, the former NSW Events Minister known as ‘Sir Lunchalot’ for his insatiable tastes in food, wine and expensive company.

Former NSW state Labor Minister Ian Macdonald — dubbed Sir Lunchalot — is dining on prison food after being jailed for misconduct in a public office. Picture: AAP
Former NSW state Labor Minister Ian Macdonald — dubbed Sir Lunchalot — is dining on prison food after being jailed for misconduct in a public office. Picture: AAP

Convicted in 2017 of corruptly issuing lucrative mining licences in the Hunter Valley, Macca, 69, is serving a 10-year sentence with a minimum of seven years without parole — and likely not enjoying the stew and Weetbix.

JOHN WALSH

This is the prisoner who proves not all elderly inmates are frail and vulnerable.

Walsh, a prisoner in Long Bay’s Kevin Waller unit for elderly prisoners, became known as the Devil with a Breville after beating his cellmate to death with a sandwich press concealed in a pillowcase.

John Walsh leaves court after being sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife and two grandchildren.
John Walsh leaves court after being sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife and two grandchildren.

His victim, 71-year-old Frank Townsend, stood no chance against Walsh, who was already serving life for one of the state’s most vile murders.

In 2008 at his Cowra home Walsh murdered his wife and their grandson, 7, and granddaughter, 5, before also killing the family’s dog.

He will be sentenced in August for the prison murder.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/muster-of-elderly-prisoners-in-nsw-jails-growing-by-the-day/news-story/a00a9490e34ba85a634690d83a1a92f8