Mr Goodwin (Visiting Justice)
The first person to mention in this topic is neither a Head of the Department nor a Minister. The Visiting Justice, Mr Goodwin, played by Lloyd Cunnington, appeared a little now and then for a long time. His main task was to judge prisoners who had committed new crimes inside the prison, but in episode 39 he also investigated the running of the Wentworth prison, something which made me think he definitely should have a place in this topic. His investigation resulted in the demotion of Deputy Governor Vera Bennett and the appointment of Jim Fletcher as her replacement.
Ted Douglas
Ted Douglas, played by Ian Smith, was the first Head of the Department appearing in Prisoner. He was first seen in episode 61 when he visited Wentworth. He is definitely the best remembered Head of the Department during the series, holding the position for a very long time. Mr Douglas could have some moments of intimate talk with Governor Erica Davidson, but for most of the time he appeared as a spineless turncoat and had angry outbursts at Erica and the Officers when he didn't have things his way. In episode 360 he forced Erica to resign and in episode 364 he introduced the new and surprising Governor of Wentworth, Ann Reynolds, to the staff. Despite Ted Douglas' negative personality, it was still a bit shocking when from episode 379 he was beginning to appear as a criminal, having been bought and bribed by the underworld. In episode 382 Ted Douglas was finally revealed by the police, arrested and had to resign.
Stuart Gillespie (Inspector)
Stuart Gillespie, played by Wynn Roberts, is probably the best remembered person from the Department who wasn't head of it. In episode 160 he arrived to Wentworth as an Inspector from the Department. In conflict with Governor Erica Davidson he imposed stronger security measures, but the mass escape of prisoners in episode 165 was the beginning of his downfall. Being caught illegally reading a letter from the prisoners to the Ombudsman in episode 168 was the final nail in Mr Gillespie's coffin at Wentworth.
Arthur Richards
In episode 387, we got to see the new Head of the Department, Arthur Richards, played by Sydney Jackson, who replaced Ted Douglas. Mr Richards was like most Heads of the Department and Ministers during the series, angry most of the time. In episode 408 Arthur Richards was dismissed.
Charles Harnsworth (Minister)
Charles Harnsworth, played by Tom Lake, was the Minister and after the dismissal of Arthur Richards he ran things himself for a while pending a new Head of the Department.
Erica Davidson
Erica Davidson, played by Patsy King, was the wellknown Governor of Wentworth for a long time until her forced resignation in episode 360. In episode 424 she made one of the most surprising and classiest comebacks in the history of Prisoner when arriving as a representative from the Department to investigate the conditions at Wentworth. From episode 424 to 428 she restored order to Wentworth. In episode 428 Erica was appointed new Head of the Department. Erica returned to Wentworth during episodes 451-454, once again to restore order. Her first scene together with her successor as Governor, Ann Reynolds, in episode 451, is regarded as a magic moment by many Prisoner fans.
After episode 454 we never saw Erica again. It was mentioned in episode 466 that prisoner Leigh Templar had been the Minister's mistress. We don't understand if it was still Mr Harnsworth who was the Minister or someone else. In episode 467 it was mentioned that the Minister have had to resign after the Leigh Templar scandal. Also in episode 467 we hear of an Acting Minister who fires Ann Reynolds as Governor of Wentworth, although she was re-instated two episodes later. In episode 491 we were informed that Erica had resigned as Head of the Department and had got a government job in Canberra instead.
William Coleby
In episode 492, Erica's replacement as Head of the Department, William Coleby, played by Hu Pryce, visited Wentworth for the first time. Mr Coleby is wellknown for his decision to place three male prisoners in Wentworth. In episode 523 it was mentioned he had been promoted.
Andrew Fry
In episode 523 Andrew Fry, played by Howard Bell, arrived as the new Head of the Department. In addition to being as angry as all other Heads of the Department, he had a behaviour bordering to sexual harassment of Wentworth Governor Ann Reynolds. Andrew Fry resigned in episode 556 after revelation of his contacts with prostitute prisoner Queenie Marshall.
In episode 557 the present Governor of Wentworth, Ann Reynolds, was offered the position as new Head of the Department. She accepted the position in episode 561, but changed her mind later in the same episode.
Geoffrey Chaucer
In episode 558 the new Acting Head of the Department, Geoffrey Chaucer, played by Ray Baldwin, made his first visit to Wentworth. After Ann Reynolds' refusal to become new Head of the Department it seems Mr Chaucer was designated to this appointment himself. It's a bit unclear if he got the position permanently. He was heavily involved in the financial scandal revealed by prisoner Julie Egbert and he was removed in episode 571.
James Dwyer (Minister)
In episode 561 we see the Minister, James Dwyer, played by James Condon, for the first time. It seems after the removal of Geoffrey Chaucer in episode 571, Mr Dwyer ran the Department himself. Like the Heads of the Department he always seemed to boil with anger and his conflicts with Wentworth Governor Ann Reynolds became legendary. In episode 692 (the last episode of Prisoner) we were informed by Mr Hudson from the Premier's Office that Mr Dwyer was being replaced.
Mr Watkins
In episode 646 we saw Mr Watkins, played by Bruce Crowl, for the only time. He was said to be Head of the Department.
Mr Hudson (from the Premier's Office)
In episode 691, a Mr Hudson, played by Charles Tingwell, from the Premier's Office, showed up at Wentworth to deal with Governor Ann Reynolds' suggestions for reforms of the prison. In episode 692 (the last episode) he granted Ann her reforms. He also informed that he now had responsibility for the Department of Corrective Services and that the Minister, Mr Dwyer, was being replaced.