Legendary tough prison boss Ron Woodham died of failing health ailments at the age of 75. Know about his life below.
Ron Woodham is the toughest prison boss anyone has ever seen.
He is the first-ever officer to rise up through the ranks to become Corrective Services.
He worked as a prison officer for 44 years and as a commissioner for 12 years.
He changed and made the NSW prison system one of the most secure places to guard prisoners like rapists, serial killers, and terrorists.
Hated by gangsters and feared by outlaw inmates, the legendarily gruff and tough prisons boss Ron Woodham has died aged 75. https://t.co/p5fcMnj1ju
— news.com.au (@newscomauHQ) August 6, 2021
Woodham invented the Supermax prison, which housed only violent prisoners.
He was a paradox. He was compassionate towards women and indigenous inmates but equally ruthless to prisoners serving for diabolical crimes.
The inmates gave him many nicknames like Rotten Run, Teflon Ron, and Big Ron.
Woodham was tough as nail and hard as a rock, but he was a fair prison guard.
The prisoners respected him for his fairness despite calling him ruthless.
Woodham joined Corrections Services in 1966 as a prison officer at Long Bay Prison. He worked his way up to the establishment officer in 1972.
In 2002, he was appointed as Commissioner. Woodham retired in 2012 but did not lose interest in work as a prison boss.
Obituary: Ron Woodham Cause Of Death- How Did He Die?
Former prison boss Ron Woodham died due to long-term illness and poor health conditions.
However, Ron’s exact cause of death is not yet disclosed.
Ron’s longtime friend and advisor, journalist Alex Mitchell said he was aware of failing health but never dwelt on it.
In honor of his death, the NSW State flag and the Aboriginal flag flew at half-mast in prisons across New South Wales on August 6.
Mitchell and his partner Judith White were working on Woodham’s autobiography titled Prison Boss.
In the book, it’s mentioned that one of the worst offenders wrote him after his retirement, telling him he was a worthy adversary.
His autobiography is yet to be published.
How Old Was Ron Woodham?
Ron Woodham died at the age of 75 years old.
He grew up in northern New South Wales and held Australian national.
Woodham’s precise birthdate is not available on the internet, however.
BREAKING | Former NSW Correctives boss Ron Woodham has died. I spoke to him only a couple of weeks ago & while in fight of his life, still had lots to say, still very ‘Ron’. Hospital-bound in Casino but sneaking out in a taxi up the street… there’ll only be one Ron @7NewsSydney pic.twitter.com/0a8bIKYTu5
— Laura Banks (@laurakatebanks) August 5, 2021
Know Ron Woodham Wife And Family
Ron Woodham was married and had a beautiful family.
Woodham’s wife’s details remain anonymous. Nonetheless, he is survived by his son and daughter, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Ron grew up with a strong mother who gave him a lifelong respect for women. His parents’ names are not known.