Fremantle Prison, sometimes referred to as Fremantle Gaol or Fremantle Jail, is a former Australian prison and World Heritage Site in Fremantle, Western Australia. The site includes the prison cellblocks, gatehouse, perimeter walls, cottages, and tunnels. It was initially used for convicts transported from Britain, but was transferred to the colonial government in 1886 for use for locally-sentenced prisoners. Royal Commissions were held in 1898 and 1911, and instigated some reform to the prison system, but significant changes did not begin until the 1960s. The government department in charge of the prison underwent several reorganisations in the 1970s and 1980s, but the culture of Fremantle Prison was resistant to change. Growing prisoner discontent culminated in a 1988 riot with guards taken hostage, and a fire that caused $1.8 million worth of damage. The prison closed in 1991, replaced by the new maximum-security Casuarina Prison.
The prison was administered by a comptroller general, sheriff, or director, responsible for the entire convict or prison system in Western Australia, and a superintendent in charge of the prison itself. Prison officers, known as warders in the 19th century, worked under stringent conditions until they achieved representation through the Western Australian Prison Officers' Union. Convicts were initially of good character as potential future colonists, but less desirable convicts were eventually sent. As a locally-run prison, Fremantle's population was generally short-sentenced white prisoners in the 1890s, with very few Aboriginal prisoners. By the late 20th century, most prisoners were serving longer sentences, a higher proportion of them were violent, and Aboriginal people were present in large numbers.
Prison life at Fremantle was extremely regulated. Meals were an important part of the day, eaten in the cells throughout the operational life of the prison. Convict or prisoner labour was used on public infrastructure works until around 1911; subsequently, only work inside the prison was allowed, though there was never enough to fully occupy the inmates. Punishments varied over the years, with flogging and time in irons eventually replaced by lengthening of sentences and deprivation of visitors or entertainment. More than 40 hangings were carried out at Fremantle Prison, which was Western Australia's only lawful place of execution between 1888 and 1984. Prominent escapees included Moondyne Joe, as well as John Boyle O'Reilly and six other Fenians in the 19th century, and Brenden Abbott in 1989. There have been various riots and other disturbances, with major riots causing damage in 1968 and 1988.
Since 1991, Fremantle Prison has been conserved as a recognised heritage site, and various restoration works have been undertaken. New uses have been found for some buildings within the prison, which has also become a significant tourist attraction. The process of obtaining World Heritage listing as part of the Australian Convict Sites submission focused historical interpretation and conservation efforts on the prison's convict era (1850 – 1886), at the expense of its more recent history, including Aboriginal prisoners held there.
FremantlePrison, sometimes referred to as Fremantle Gaol or Fremantle Jail, is a former Australian prison and World Heritage Site in Fremantle, Western...
transportation to the colony, Fremantle became Australia's primary destination for convicts. The convict-built FremantlePrison operated long after transportation...
The FremantlePrison riot was a prison riot that occurred on 4 January 1988 at FremantlePrison, in Western Australia. The riot was organised as a diversion...
The history of FremantlePrison, a former Australian prison in Fremantle, Western Australia, extends from its construction as a prison for convicts, using...
The architecture of FremantlePrison includes the six-hectare (15-acre) site of the former prison on The Terrace, Fremantle, in Western Australia. Limestone...
prisoners of FremantlePrison occupied the former prison on The Terrace, Fremantle, in Western Australia, between 1855: 7 and 1991. FremantlePrison was administered...
months following, police arrested Abbott at Perth Airport. Sentenced to FremantlePrison, Abbott was given duties in the tailor workshop, fitting and sewing...
Executions at FremantlePrison in Fremantle, Western Australia, were carried out between 1889 and 1964. Other places of execution in Western Australia...
locations until 1900. In 1886 the FremantlePrison was handed over to the colonial government as the colony's major prison; from 1889 43 men and one woman...
rejected an insanity defence. He was sentenced to death and hanged at FremantlePrison. Cooke was the last person to be executed in Western Australia. Eric...
at FremantlePrison over its years of operation. Constructed in the 1850s using convict labor and modeled after Pentonville Gaol, FremantlePrison served...
in 1991 to replace FremantlePrison, which was 130 years old. The prison was the scene of a riot on Christmas Day 1998. The prison featured in the documentary...
Establishment (now FremantlePrison), a British penal colony in Western Australia. They were taken on the convict ship Hougoumont to Fremantle, Western Australia...
A prison riot is an act of concerted defiance or disorder by a group of prisoners against the prison administrators, prison officers, or other groups...
A prison, also known as a jail, gaol, penitentiary, detention center, correction center, correctional facility, or remand center, is a facility where people...
prisons which are now open to the public as museums. Old Dubbo Gaol Boggo Road Gaol FremantlePrison Fannie Bay Gaol Gladstone Gaol J Ward HM Prison Geelong...
House for the murder of George Pollard at South Dandalup Hanged at FremantlePrison: Long Jimmy (alias Jimmy Long) – 2 March 1889 – A Malay, hanged for...
attempts to appeal his conviction were rejected. Rowles was hanged at FremantlePrison on 13 June 1932. Besides his novel The Sands of Windee, Upfield wrote...
Attica Prison Riot, also known as the Attica Prison Rebellion, the Attica Uprising, or the Attica Prison Massacre, took place at the state prison in Attica...
there until the prison was closed in 1991. The cell can occasionally be viewed on the True Crime Tour held daily at FremantlePrison. While incarcerated...
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Sydney Opera House Budj Bim Royal Exhibition Building FremantlePrison Naracoorte Riversleigh Wet Tropics Ningaloo Purnululu Fraser Island...
Cockatoo Island Convict Site ("Cockatoo Island"), New South Wales. FremantlePrison, Western Australia. These properties were all individually included...
very little time in prison. Those who were stationed at Fremantle were housed in the Convict Establishment, the colony's convict prison, and misbehaviour...
Johns was sentenced to twelve months in irons, and transferred to FremantlePrison. In April 1866, Johns sent a petition to the Chief Justice, and received...
residence, "The Knowle", built in 1856 with both stone and labour from FremantlePrison. Two extra wards and an operating theatre were added in 1900. Subsequent...
prison located just outside Lucasville in Scioto County, Ohio. The prison was constructed in 1972. As of 2023, the warden is Cindy Davis. The prison is...
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