ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Real Life

Mum who spent years in max-security prison now changing lives

Her story is being turned into a film - by that's life!
  • 25 Apr 2018
Mum who spent years in max-security prison now changing lives
John Krutop

Kerry Tucker’s $2 million theft was one of the largest white-collar crimes ever committed by a woman in Australia. Now, the story of how she rebuilt her life is in the hands of Hollywood producers and she has written a book. Here, she tells the story in her own words…

As the police officers swarmed towards me, my pulse raced. This was it.

’You’re under arrest,’ one said. I didn’t put up a fight. I was guilty.

To those who saw me that day, I would have looked like a contented wife and mother who liked to take care of herself. But behind closed doors, my marriage of 12 years was crumbling and I was struggling to support my two girls, Sarah, two, and Shannyn, four.

That wasn’t my only secret.

wedding

Kerry's Tucker's wedding day in 1990

Supplied

For the last six and a half years, I’d been stealing money from the sawmill where I worked in administration.

It started as a small amount – a one-off to help make ends meet. Once I had my finances under control, I’d stop.

But as time went on, I sank deeper into deception. I found myself writing cheques to help pay the mortgage and moving funds to keep up repayments on my car.

Then, in 2002, when my husband and I divorced, I splashed out $3000 taking some friends on a break to Queensland.

Looking back, I was desperately trying to keep up appearances when my world was falling apart. In total I stole almost $2 million – spending much of it on gifts for the girls and others as a way to make myself feel better.

But the price I’d pay for my deceit would be even greater...

I hung my head in shame as I was marched to a police van and taken to the station. A mixture of fear, panic and regret churned inside. Did this mean I might never see my daughters again?

’We have a warrant to seize all your possessions,’ an officer said, explaining I’d been under surveillance for two months.

Over the next 11 hours as I confessed everything, reality dawned. I was a criminal.

Desperately, I asked if I could speak to my kids but I wasn’t allowed. Instead, I was charged with theft and put into a cold holding cell with 10 other women. As I curled up on a thin foam mattress, I knew I had only myself to blame.

That night I tossed and turned, terrified about the future. Finally I was told the kids were safe with their father and I broke down in tears. How would I ever regain their trust?

While I waited for my case to come to court, I was transferred to Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a maximum-security prison whose inmates included stalkers and murderers. I wasn’t a respectable suburban mum any more. I was prisoner number 171435.

I’ll never forget the moment I saw my girls for the first time in the visitors’ room a week later. Their faces crumpled with fear and confusion when they saw me in my blue jumpsuit.

’Mummy’s okay,’ I tried to reassure them.

with girls

Kerry Tucker with her daughters

Supplied

They didn’t understand. They just wanted me home, and as I held them close, their tears shattered my heart.

It would’ve been easy to let prison life break me. But seeing the pain I’d caused, I made a vow – to change. I took on a role as a peer educator and when I left my cell at 8am each morning, it was my job to reach out to other inmates.

I assisted one woman who’d stolen money to help her sick son, and another who’d turned to drugs after years of abuse.

’We can work through this together,’ I told them. Their tragic stories made me realise how blessed I was.

Of course, being locked up affected the relationship with my girls. They couldn’t always visit and when we spoke on the phone I’d try to explain my actions. It must've been so hard for them.

Finally, after more than a year and a half in custody, my case came to court. I pleaded guilty to four counts of theft and one count of obtaining property by deception, totalling $1,962,602, and was sentenced to seven years in jail.

Knowing I’d be separated from my family was tough. But I had to embrace the future. That’s why I took up the chance to study writing in prison.

Every week, a tutor from Swinburne University taught five of us, and three years later we graduated with a masters degree at a ceremony behind bars – the first in Australia’s history.

with tutor

Kerry Tucker with her tutor Carolyn Beasley, who she adored

Finally, after four and a half years in jail, I was given a taste of freedom. Stepping outside the prison walls was both liberating and frightening.

Facing all the people I’d hurt was the hardest part of the journey. I made a huge mistake and I'm so sorry to all the people affected. Of course, some couldn’t forgive me, but thankfully my family saw I’d changed and accepted me back.

Sarah and Shannyn came to meet me. By now they were 11 and 13.

’I missed you so much,’ I cried, pulling them into a hug and promising to do whatever it took to regain their trust. ’I’ll make you proud of me again,’ I told them.

And that’s been my mission ever since.

Kery in cell

Kerry Tucker in her cell, looking at photos of Sarah and Shannyn

John Krutop

I was thrilled when Swinburne University offered me a job. Working my way up the ranks, I completed a PhD before becoming a media lecturer. Then, I was asked to join the Women’s Correctional Services Advisory Committee to continue helping inmates and I became an ambassador for Wear for Success, a community service helping women get jobs.

Years on, I still deeply regret what I did.

But prison made me the person I am today. In some ways it’s the best thing that happened to me. Now I’m free, I’ll make every moment count.

The Prisoner, by Kerry Tucker with Craig Henderson, is published by Penguin, on sale now.

book cover
Penguin Random House Australia

This story originally appeared in that’s life! Issue 28, 2013. Kerry was not paid.

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

Face to face with Australia's MOST NOTORIOUS armed robbers

Face to face with Australia's MOST NOTORIOUS armed robbers

She forgave her mum's killer then he murdered her too!

She forgave her mum's killer then he murdered her too!

I predicted my own death and it saved my life!

I predicted my own death and it saved my life!

Amazing Aussie mum - I've had 8 boys!

Amazing Aussie mum - I've had 8 boys!

{headline}

{headline}

Mum on a plastic mission!

Mum on a plastic mission!

Killer hubby kept his first wife in the garage

Killer hubby kept his first wife in the garage

Mum shocked by X-rated Kmart toy

Mum shocked by X-rated Kmart toy

{headline}

{headline}

Mum-of-four fights for life after being struck by car metres from her home

Mum-of-four fights for life after being struck by car metres from her home

68-year-old woman gives birth to 'miracle' twins

68-year-old woman gives birth to 'miracle' twins

‘Check your milk’: Aussie mum’s warning after dangerous find

‘Check your milk’: Aussie mum’s warning after dangerous find

Mum's medical mystery: 'I couldn't cuddle my boy for TWO YEARS'

Mum's medical mystery: 'I couldn't cuddle my boy for TWO YEARS'

Strangled over a secret: Killer dumped his pregnant wife's body in the boot

Strangled over a secret: Killer dumped his pregnant wife's body in the boot

Aussie cold case: Who left Nina to die on her verandah?

Aussie cold case: Who left Nina to die on her verandah?

My baby and I came back from the dead

My baby and I came back from the dead

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!