Gladstone Gaol facts for kids
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| Location | Gladstone, South Australia |
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| Status | Closed |
| Capacity | 86 |
| Opened | 1881 |
| Closed | 1975 |
| Managed by | Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources |
Gladstone Gaol is an old prison building in Gladstone, South Australia. It is a special historic place. The building is listed on the South Australian Heritage Register. This means it is protected because of its history.
Contents
The Story of Gladstone Gaol
Building a New Prison
The Gladstone Gaol was built a long time ago. Construction started in 1879 and finished in 1881. It was needed because other prisons in South Australia were too full. The prison was designed to hold both male and female prisoners.
How it was Built
Local builders, Messrs. Sara and Dunstan, constructed the gaol. They used stone from the Gladstone area. This prison was special for its time. It was the first in South Australia to limit how prisoners met visitors. Visitors and prisoners were separated by metal bars. A guard stood between them. This made sure conversations were heard and no forbidden items were passed.
Early Days at the Gaol
The first prisoner arrived on June 8, 1881. For many years, the prison was not very busy. People even joked that the only "lifer" (someone serving a life sentence) was a cat named Lady Jane Grey!
Changes Over the Years
Challenges in the 1920s
In 1921, there was a big disagreement. Prison guards, called warders, were fired. This led to a protest. A future politician, Frank Nieass, helped the warders. By the 1920s, there were also concerns about how prisoners were treated. In 1924, a former prisoner said that spending time there was very difficult. A government official, James Jelley, visited in 1925. He wanted to check on the conditions inside the prison.
During World War II
In 1939, the military took over the gaol. It was used as a camp for people who were held during wartime. All the prisoners were moved to Adelaide. The gaol was not used as a wartime camp for very long. For about 15 years after that, it was mostly empty.
Reopening and Closing
A New Purpose for Young People
The prison reopened in September 1952. It had been repaired and updated. This time, it was mainly for young men under 25. The idea was to keep them away from older, more experienced criminals. They were also taught useful skills and trades. This helped reduce overcrowding at another prison called Yatala Prison.
The Final Closure
Gladstone Gaol closed for good in 1975. The building and its facilities had become too old. They were no longer suitable for a modern prison.
Gladstone Gaol Today
A Place for Visitors
After closing as a prison, Gladstone Gaol opened to visitors in 1978. People could explore the historic building. It became a popular tourist attraction.
Recent Closure for Repairs
In June 2022, the gaol closed again. It needed important repairs. The people who managed it as a tourist spot stopped their work. The repairs were expected to finish by the end of 2022. However, there have been delays. As of August 2025, the gaol remains closed while repairs continue.
