Cell BlocksWhen Adelaide Gaol was planned it was a bold, new layout which incorporated the latest in overseas gaol design. However in 1841, as there was much criticism over the lavish expenditure on construction and unnecessary size of the gaol, building work was halted for over six years and two of the planned watchtowers were never built.
The Gaol is a radial plan which means access is gained to the cellblocks and exercise yards from one central point.
Adelaide Gaol’s central point is the circle. This area gained its name in the earliest days. Wagons entering the Gaol to deliver prisoners or stores would have to complete a full turning circle in order to leave the Gaol.
Yard 1 cell block was built in 1850 to house female prisoners. Since then it has had many uses including accommodation for first time offenders, remandees and prisoners with infectious diseases – such as influenza, measles, mumps and chicken pox.
The three storey cell blocks in Yard 2 housed women prisoners until 1969 when they were transferred to a dedicated female rehabilitation centre. In the early years women did all the laundry and sewed and repaired Gaol clothing.
Some of the original cell buildings dating from 1841 are situated in Yard 4. These cells currently house a fascinating canteen display.
Also in Yard 4 is one of the ablution bucket cleaning facilities. These were used to clean the buckets that prisoners were provided with when locked in cells overnight.
The cell block in Yard 6 is designed with cells facing inwards. It was built following the demolition of earlier cell blocks. Most of the original slate floors were replaced by concrete. The slate flagstones were easily removed by prisoners with plenty of time for creative and illegal activities, including hiding alcoholic brew!
The yards were where prisoners spent their time when permitted out of the cells. With very few recreational facilities available most inmates would constantly walk up and down the yards or just sit and talk.
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The ‘New Building’ was constructed in 1879 to cater for an increasing number of prisoners. It consists of 92 cells and housed approximately 100 prisoners. The New Building was the site of the permanent gallows which was used for twenty one executions from 1894 to 1950.
The name 'New Building' was applied at the time of construction and was known as such until the closure in 1988 – not only in common parlance but officially as well.
