On February 3, 1967, Ronald Ryan’s execution marked the last instance of capital punishment in Australia, igniting a widespread debate on the ethics and future of the death penalty in the country.

Ryan, a notorious burglar, received an automatic death sentence for the murder of a prison guard during a dramatic escape from Melbourne’s Pentridge Prison two years prior. The incident sparked controversy, particularly when the Victorian government, under Premier Henry Bolte, chose not to commute his sentence, a common practice at the time.

Throughout the late 1950s, Ryan orchestrated a series of break-ins at factories and stores across Melbourne, driven by a gambling addiction that demanded a steady flow of cash.

He was apprehended in late 1964 and subsequently sentenced to an additional eight years in prison. Despite maintaining a reputation as a model inmate, Ryan was resolute in his desire for freedom. In December 1965, seizing an opportunity while guards were preoccupied with a Christmas celebration, he and a fellow prisoner executed a daring escape from Pentridge Prison.

In late 1964, he was arrested, convicted and sentenced to a second stretch in prison of eight years.

Despite being a model prisoner, Ryan was determined to escape and in December 1965, while guards were enjoying a Christmas party, he and another inmate broke out of Pentridge prison.

During the breakout, a prison guard was shot dead, but doubt was cast over who pulled the trigger.

It could have been Ryan or his accomplice, but other prison officers were also shooting as the pair fled. 

The escaped inmates remained at large for 17 days, causing mayhem by robbing a bank and Ryan’s accomplice shooting dead a truck driver.

They were finally arrested on January 5, 1966, in Sydney after a tip-off to police.

Later at the subsequent trial, Ryan and Walker pleaded not guilty to murdering the prison guard.

After almost two weeks of deliberation, the jury convicted Ryan of murder.

Among the many people who opposed imposing the death sentence on Ryan was the judge overseeing his trial, Victorian Supreme Court judge John Stark.

He had doubts about the prosecution of Ryan and also opposed capital punishment, but was forced to impose the mandatory death sentence for murder.

Ryan’s legal team unsuccessfully appealed the decision in the Victorian Supreme Court and the High Court of Australia.

Widespread opposition to Ryan’s scheduled execution failed to convince Bolte to commute the death sentence.

On the eve of his execution, hundreds of people gathered outside Pentridge prison, many of them remaining there all night.

Ryan’s three daughters were not permitted to see their father before his hanging.

Authorities said he went to his death calmly when he was executed at Pentridge prison.

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