Old Geelong Gaol (HM Prison Geelong) (part 1)

Old Geelong Gaol (HM Prison Geelong)
Part 1

 Geelong Gaol was built in sections over a period from 1849 until 1864. It was built with locally sourced bluestone, volcanic rock and brick. Its design is based on English gaol, Pentonville Prison in north London. The building appears as a large cross from above (cruciform). 
  The east and west wings served as cell blocks for prisoners, with the north wing serving as an administration wing. The southern wing of Geelong Gaol served as a Kitchen on the lower floor, a tailoring workshop and a hospital as well as a toilet block. A shower block was later added on the east wing of the cell blocks.
 The gaol was built with convict labour, with convicts being housed on floating prison barges on Corio Bay.

An 1850 Argus newspaper article made note of the cost of staff for the gaol proposed for the year 1851:

·         A Gaoler (Governor) at 125 pounds per year.
·         A Surgeon at 40 pounds per year.
·         A visiting Justice at 40 pounds per year.
·         Two Chaplains at 20 pounds each per year.
·         A Matron at 25 pounds per year.
·         A Clerk at 84 pounds per year.
·         A Superintendent of treadmills at 3 shillings 6 pence per diem.
·         Four Turnkeys at 3 shillings and 6 pence per diem.
·         One female Turnkey at 2 shillings and 3 pence per diem. [1]

The first appointed ’Keeper’ of the Gaol was Sergeant Ashley, of the State’s Detective Force announced in January 1851.[2]

The gaol was used for various purposes over the years:

·         In 1853, the gaol received its first occupant.
·         1853 until 1865 the building was used as a gaol for convicts
·         1865 until 1872 the building was used as an industrial school for girls (street kids) housing 180 children aged 9 to 16 who were abandoned during the gold rush.
·         From 1877 – 1940 it was a hospital gaol
·         From 1940 until 1947 it was an Australian army detention centre.
·         From 1947 until 1958 it returned to being used as a gaol hospital
·         From 1958 until its closure in 1991 it was used as a training prison, retraining the state’s worst prisoners.
·         1998 - 2019, the Geelong Gaol has housed Rotary International, and Lazarus Community Centre (from 2016)
·         2018 the site was purchased by Montgomery International who are going to re-develop the site in a heritage-appropriate manner.

 

Geelong Gaol Cell Block - photo: Allen Tiller

The Geelong Gaol cells never contained heating, cooling or any plumbing. Prisoners were forced to use buckets for toilets, emptying them every morning.

 There were six executions at the Geelong Gaol, most of which happened outside the gaol at Gallows Flat. Gallows flat was approximately 200 meters down the road from the gaol where present-day St Mary's Hall sits (162-190 Myers Road) it sat between Myers Road and Little Ryrie Street.[3]

EXECUTIONS:

·         1854: George Roberts (16 December); murder. Gallows Flat
·         1854: John Gunn (9 November); murder. Gallows Flat
·         1856: James Ross (22 April); murder. Gallows Flat
·         1858: Owen McQueeny (20 October); murder. Gallows Flat
·         1863: James Murphy (6 November), murder. Permanent Gallows inside the gaol.
·         1865: Thomas Menard (28 October), murder. Permanent Gallows inside the gaol.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller ©2019

Other Sources:

The Old Geelong Gaol, Intown, (2018) https://www.intown.com.au/locals/geelong/attractions/geelong_gaol.htm

Former Geelong Gaol, Heritage Council Victoria, (21 February 1997), https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/539

Exciting vision for Geelong Gaol revealed, City of Greater Geelong, (27 July 2018), https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/news/item/8d5f3a6a93a67b2.aspx

[1] 'Domestic Intelligence.', The Argus, (18 July 1850), p. 2.
[2] 'LOCAL INTELLIGENCE', The Melbourne Daily News, (30 January 1851), p. 2.
[3] 'TOWN TALK.', Geelong Advertiser, (30 November 1898), p. 2.