The Old Maitland Gaol, also known as Maitland Correctional Centre, is a heritage-listed former Australian prison located in East Maitland, New South Wales. Its construction was started in 1844 and prisoners first entered the gaol in 1848. By the time of its closure, on 31 January 1998, it had become the longest continuously-run gaol in Australia. It has since been turned into a museum and was a popular tourist attraction. It is currently closed to the public indefinitely due to safety issues.

It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999.

History

The gaol is in East Maitland, and this location was first used as a gaol in 1843; in the same year two prisoners were hanged there for the murder of a child. Permanent buildings were not begun until 1846 (though a foundation stone was laid in 1844), and the official opening was in December 1848. The first stage included the south-east wing, the gate lodges and the enclosing wall of the original compound, all of stone. The second stage, built 1861–73 under James Barnet, included the north-west wing, the watch towers, the warders' quarters and the governor's residence that flanked the entrance from John Street, the two-storey building that contained a chapel and a school room on the first floor and workshops on the ground floor.

Description

The Maitland Gaol complex is positioned on top of the main hill at East Maitland. It is the focal point of the town and an important confirmation of the axial town planning concept of the Surveyor General of that time, Sir Thomas Mitchell.

Notable prisoners

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  • Kevin Crump – Convicted for the double murder of James Ian Lamb and Virginia Morse when with accomplice Allan Baker
  • Darcy Dugan – (1920–1991), bank robber.
  • David Eastman – wrongly convicted of the assassination of AFP Assistant Commissioner Colin Winchester.
  • Andrew Garforth – convicted of the kidnapping, sexual assault and murder of nine-year-old schoolgirl Ebony Simpson.
  • Henry (Harry) Arthur Hooton – (1908–1961) unarmed robbery.
  • Peter Macari – Extortionist who threatened to blow up a Qantas jet.
  • Ivan Milat – Serial killer, responsible for the backpacker murders from 1989–1993 in the NSW Belanglo State Forest
  • Neddy Smith – Sydney underworld figure and murderer.
  • John Travers, Michael Murdoch, and brothers Michael, Leslie and Gary Murphy – convicted of the murder of Anita Cobby.
  • Stephen 'Shorty' Jamieson, Matthew Elliott, and Bronson Blessington – convicted of the murder of Janine Balding.

Tours

Visitors can take a self-guided audio tour of the historic prison or can take guided theme tours.

Australian Museum of Clothing and Textiles

The "Australian Museum of Clothing and Textiles" is located in the Maitland Gaol and features clothing and accessories, textiles and related items.

See also

  • Punishment in Australia

References

Attribution

  • Australian Museum of Clothing and Textiles