Maitland Gaol facts for kids
The former Maitland Gaol and Governor's Hous
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 Former Maitland Gaol
Location in New South Wales
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| Location | John Street, East Maitland, New South Wales, Australia |
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| Coordinates | 32°44′42″S 151°35′23″E / 32.74500°S 151.58972°E |
| Status | Temporarily Closed(Museum) |
| Security class | Maximum security |
| Capacity | 174, but has reached 400+ |
| Opened | 1848 |
| Closed | 31 January 1998 after 147–148 years) |
| Former name | Maitland Gaol, Maitland Correctional Centre |
| City | Maitland City Council |
| State | New South Wales |
| Country | Australia |
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Building details
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| Former names | Maitland Correctional Centre |
| General information | |
| Construction started | 1826 |
| Completed | 1875 |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Stone |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect |
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| Architecture firm | Colonial Architect of New South Wales |
| Main contractor | H. Brodie and A. Craig |
| Known for | Ivan Milat |
| Official name | Maitland Correctional Centre |
| Type | Built |
| Criteria | a., c., e. |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 01296 |
The Old Maitland Gaol is a very old former prison in East Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. It's also known as the Maitland Correctional Centre. Building started in 1844, and the first prisoners arrived in 1848.
This gaol was open for a long time, making it the longest continuously-run prison in Australia. It closed on January 31, 1998. After closing, it became a museum and a popular place for tourists to visit. However, it is currently closed to the public because of safety concerns.
The Old Maitland Gaol is an important historical site. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Gaol
The area in East Maitland where the gaol stands was first used as a prison site in 1843. The first permanent buildings began construction in 1846. The gaol officially opened in December 1848.
The first part of the gaol included a wing for cells, gatehouses, and the main outer wall. These were all made of stone. Later, between 1861 and 1873, more buildings were added. These included another cell wing, watchtowers, homes for the prison officers, and the governor's house. A two-story building was also built, which had a chapel and a schoolroom.
Early Prison Life
In the early days, punishments like whipping were used while the gaol was still being built. Public executions were common until 1861, and many people would gather to watch. These hangings happened at the main gates or in a back corner of the gaol.
Between 1849 and 1897, sixteen men were executed at Maitland Gaol. The last person executed there was Charles Hines in May 1897. The last whipping in New South Wales also happened at Maitland Gaol in 1905.
Changes and Challenges
In 1900, the eastern part of the gaol was expanded. This work added more outer walls, watchtowers, cells for women, workshops, and quarters for female officers.
Maitland Gaol became a maximum-security prison in 1972. This meant it held prisoners who needed the highest level of security.
Prisoner Protests and Escapes
In 1975, some prisoners caused a riot, setting fire to a building. They used homemade tools to protest the prison conditions. Many prisoners were moved to other gaols after this event. The damage from the riot cost a lot of money, around 100,000.
There were several escape attempts over the years. In 1977, seven prisoners escaped through an exhaust vent. However, they were all caught within two hours.
In 1980, a long tunnel, about 5.5 meters (18 feet) long, was found in one of the cells. This tunnel was filled with concrete to prevent future escapes.
Modernizing the Gaol
In 1993, new cell blocks were built. One block was above the kitchens, designed for trusted prisoners who worked there. Another was 5-wing, a high-security block for prisoners who had committed very serious acts. These prisoners had their own exercise yards and limited contact with others. This was the last cell block built before the gaol closed.
Closure of the Gaol
In April 1996, the government announced that Maitland Gaol would close. The prison's buildings and working conditions were no longer considered suitable for modern correctional facilities.
In 1997, two well-known prisoners, George Savvas and Ivan Milat, planned an escape. However, prison officers stopped their plan. The gaol officially closed in January 1998. The Maitland City Council was offered a 50-year lease for the site in February 1999.
What the Gaol Looks Like
The Maitland Gaol complex sits on top of a hill in East Maitland. It's a very noticeable building in the town. Most of the buildings are made of sandstone with metal roofs.
The main cell blocks, "A" and "B" Wings, are placed evenly around the Gate House. The houses for the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor stick out from the gaol wall, creating a courtyard with the main entrance at the end. A newer part of the gaol on the western side is made of red brick.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Maitland Gaol is considered very important historically. It's the oldest country gaol in New South Wales that is still mostly in its original condition. It was also Australia's longest continuously used prison. It's a great example of the "Inspectors' Gaols" designed by the Colonial Architect in the 1840s.
The gaol was built using local stone. It shows off amazing stonework, ironwork, and timber work from the 1840s to the 1890s. Much of this work was done by local craftspeople and even by prisoners themselves.
Famous People Held Here
Over its long history, many well-known individuals were held at Maitland Gaol. Some of these include:
- Kevin Crump
- Darcy Dugan
- David Eastman
- Andrew Garforth
- Henry (Harry) Arthur Hooton
- Peter Macari
- Ivan Milat
- Neddy Smith
- John Travers, Michael Murdoch, and brothers Michael, Leslie and Gary Murphy
- Stephen 'Shorty' Jamieson, Matthew Elliott, and Bronson Blessington
Visiting the Old Maitland Gaol
Even though it's currently closed, in the past, visitors could explore the historic prison. You could take a self-guided audio tour to learn about its history. There were also special guided tours that focused on different themes.
Australian Museum of Clothing and Textiles
The "Australian Museum of Clothing and Textiles" is located inside the Maitland Gaol. It displays various clothing items, accessories, textiles, and related historical pieces.
See also
- Punishment in Australia
