Parramatta Gaol: Building layout, prisoner’s routine and employment - Part 1

“Parramatta Correctional Centre was until late 2011, the oldest gaol in original use in Australia. It is the most intact of the pre-1850’s gaols of Australia. The constructional character and quality of the early buildings, in particular the stone slab floors, ashlar walls and timber roof trusses, are exceptional. It is significant in its physical and spatial quality as an enclosed complex” – NSW Heritage register.

Parramatta Gaol is one of the eight maximum security prisons in NSW. Parramatta Gaol is designed for approximately 300 prisoners. The gaol was built by the builders James Houison and Nathaniel.

Payten, during the time of Governor Bourke and Governor Gipps. Governor Bourke appointed surveyor, Mortimer William Lewis to be colonial architect and instructed him to prepare plans for the gaol. Nathaniel Payten’s tender for the erection of the Perimenter Wall was accepted in November 1835 and it was built during 1836. Building progressed through 1836 to 1842 and resulted in a perimeter wall, governor’s house cum chapel and three of the intended five wings. The Gaol was proclaimed by Governor Gipps to be a “Public Gaol, Prison and House of Correction” on 3rd January, 1842 and it was published in the Government Gazette of the 7th January, 1842 and the prisoners were transferred to the site on 15 January 1842. Parramatta Gaol was the oldest gaol complex in Australia and functioned from 1842 until 2012, and is the most intact of the early gaols of Australia.

Over 10 hectares of land in and around the Parramatta Gaol is located is owned by the Department of Corrective Services. Parramatta Gaol has 11 towers. There are three major sites:

Parramatta Gaol

Parramatta Linen service

Merinda Periodic centre and two maintenance complexes

Area West of the Parramatta Gaol

Merinda Periodic Detention Centre – is a single story timber building with galvanised roof. This centre is used to house maximum of 19 female prisoners from Friday to Sunday. During the week, it was used as conference centre and to accommodate staff overnight by the department staff.

Motor maintenance and stores complex – here the repair and maintenance was carried out for all the vehicles associated with Parramatta Gaol and Parramatta Linen Service

PWD compound – group of nine galvanised iron sheds were used to store lawn mowers and other garden tools used by the prisoners.

Stay tuned for part 2 ...