Wentworth Gaol
 The gatehouse of the Wentworth Gaol (1881 – 1927) | |
 | |
| Location | Wentworth, New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Status | Closed |
| Opened | 1881 |
| Closed | 1 July 1928[1] |
| Managed by | Department of Prisons (1881 – 19??) Wentworth Shire (19?? – present) |
Wentworth Gaol, a former Australian prison that operated between 1881 and 1928, is located in Wentworth, New South Wales and is now a tourist attraction for the area.[2]
History
The Wentworth police Watch-house or 'lock-up' used to confine prisoners with sentences of fourteen days or less was proclaimed to be a prison on 1 December 1870. Some necessary improvements to prisoner accommodation were effected during 1877 after which the Gaol was reported to house three separated and nine associated prisoners.[3]
The small single storey brick gaol with bluestone trim was designed by colonial architect James Barnet and built between 1879 and 1881. It was one of the earliest Australian – designed gaols together with Hay Gaol (1880), Dubbo Gaol (1871) and Long Bay Gaol (1909 and 1914). The bricks were made on-site from the local clay, by Joseph Fritz, and the bluestone was transported from Malmsbury, Victoria.[2]
Government records show that the first Acting Gaoler, James Sheringham was appointed on 5 September 1891, together with Susan Sheringham, who was appointed as Acting Matron on the same day.[1]
When the Prisons Act, 1899 (NSW) was enacted, Wentworth Gaol was one of those listed in the second schedule as existing 'public gaols, prisons or houses of correction'. The Goal closed in 1928. The two final prisoners who had been sentenced on 9 February 1928 were transferred to the Broken Hill Gaol on 27 February 1928, which is possibly the official date of closure.[3] The gaol was officially de-established as a prison on 1 July 1928.[1]
Wentworth Gaol was temporarily re-used in 1962 when riots in Mildura prompted the need to utilise the cells at Wentworth.
Current use
The former gaol is now a tourism attraction for the region, and is open for public tours, from 10:00am to 5:00pm local time, Monday to Friday.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "H. M. Gaol Wentworth, Staff". Registrar of Prison Saff (1860 – 1923). State Records of NSW. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
- ^ a b c "Old Wentworth Gaol". Wentworth Shire Tourism Information. Wentworth Shire Council. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
- ^ a b "Agency detail: Wentworth Gaol". State Records Archives Investigator. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
Further reading
- Fisher, Ethel C (1960). A million bricks : Old Wentworth Gaol: tourist era. Sydney, NSW: Publisher. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
- Vines, Elizabeth (1986). Wentworth Gaol complex, Wentworth, New South Wales : a heritage study and conservation plan. St. Peters, NSW. p. 12. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
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