Definitely one of the things to do in Adelaide...
Visit the Adelaide Gaol, a major part of Adelaide's heritage.
As one of the two oldest public buildings in Adelaide, the Gaol has
much to offer in the way of education, history and entertainment.
You can learn about Adelaide's penal history and its architecture
from the time of the early settlers right through to today.
Please Note:
If, after reading the following information
about the cancellation of Guided Tours in the Adelaide Gaol, you would
like to take some action, please feel free to contact the relevant
Minister/s. Their email addresses are:
The Minister for Environment - ministerhunter@sa.gov.au
The Minister for Volunteers DCSI.- MinisterPiccolo@dcsi.sa.gov.au
The Minister for Tourism - ministerleonbignell@sa.gov.au.
You could also sign our FaceBook petition
here.
All AGPS Guided Tours Cancelled
(from 26th May 2013)
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the decision by the
Chief Executive (Mr Allan Holmes) of the Department of Environment
Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) to sever the working relationship
it has had with the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society Inc (AGPS)
for the past 24 years.
As a result, all guided tours currently conducted by the AGPS will
be cancelled from the 26th May 2013. These tours include:
History Tours,
Ghost Tours,
Twilight Tours,
Paranormal Workshops.
Mr Holmes has cited as one of the reasons for his decision "irreconcilable
conflict amongst the AGPS membership"
The so called 'irreconcilable conflict' comes from a small group of
disgruntled members who have aided and supported one particular member
who set up a private business working in competition with the AGPS.
This person breached the Associations Incorporations Act and the AGPS
Constitution to earn profit from running tours while they were an
AGPS Committee member. This action was condoned and promoted by the
then Site Manager of the Gaol and was approved by DEWNR.
This minority group also took their grievances to the Volunteering
SA/NT CEO who championed their campaign without discussing the issue
with either the incumbent AGPS Committee or the majority of its members.
She claimed that she did not need to hear the AGPS viewpoint or both
sides of the situation to make up her own mind as to who was right!
After a series of failed attempts to remove the Committee, this minority
group filed false Bullying and Harassment charges against the AGPS
President. DEWNR then used the minority group's charges and petty
grievances to justify its actions.
The AGPS Committee and Volunteers wrote to Mr Holmes on a number of
occasions requesting a meeting to discuss an amicable way forward.
Mr Holmes did not even acknowledge these communications! Further,
his final decision was made without any consultation, by him or his
department, with the AGPS Committee or its Volunteers.
It is interesting to note that the handling of the investigation by
DEWNR does not comply with its own policy on Bullying and Harassment
and also contravenes the current Government policy document 'Advancing
the Community Together'. To add insult to injury, DEWNR then shrouded
the enquiry results in a cloak of confidentiality thereby preventing
the relevant parties from any appeal or sense of justice.
The AGPS Committee is deeply distressed that our volunteers, after
so many years of dedicated service to the public and the Gaol, are
being treated in such a cavalier manner. It also distresses us to
know that the public are being deprived of the opportunity to experience
the full range of tours the AGPS offered and will now have to content
themselves with self guided tours.
DEWNR say they will advertise for 'expressions of interest' for licensees
to conduct tours. We are informed this might not happen for some 6
to 12 months. The AGPS will apply for such a licence although DEWNR
have not given any indication that this action will be successful.
If the AGPS is unsuccessful in acquiring a licence it will mean that
DEWNR's undemocratic action will have deprived the AGPS of its ability
to function as a society.
If you feel strongly about the injustice of this situation and wish
to show your support for the AGPS, we urge you to write to Mr Allan
Holmes at DEWNR and/or contact your local MP. Similarly, If you would
like to know more about the minority group and the events leading
up to the cancellation of AGPS Tours you may contact
us here.
The AGPS will continue to keep you informed of any developments via
this website.
We, the AGPS Committee and volunteers, still welcome your enquiries
and will do our best to answer any questions you may have regarding
the Gaol's history.
Virtual Tour
Prepare yourself for an exciting experience! Take a virtual
tour of the Adelaide Gaol.
Do you have what it takes to:
- Experience life behind bars!
- Become a prisoner and see life from the "inside".
- Serve your time and lose your freedom!
View some areas of the
Adelaide Gaol and prepare yourself for the real thing then, when
you are ready, come and experience the Adelaide Gaol in person by
doing a "real time" tour.
A glimpse into the past...
A Picturesque Penitentiary. (By an Eye Witness -
1878.)
"What I have seen permit me to relate."
One of the objects in a small city about which is reputed the largest
amount of interest is usually the gaol. The very word associated as
it is with so many tales of sorrow, with pictures of sobbing men and
weeping women, with the sounds of the tolling of bells, and the clanking
of iron, is apt to conjecture up a feeling of sadness.
There is a mystery about a prison too which is not without its effect.
The high walls alone suffice to create a thousand conjectures. We
wonder as we pass, what events are occurring behind those barriers
of brick and mortar, what the beings are like who are producing the
measured 'clink clink' which falls in rhythmic sounds upon our ears.
The interest which all this excites is perhaps a morbid one, but it
is none the less a healthy interest, nor indeed a rational one, yet
if the prison element is not popular with the millions let me never
read Miss Radcliffe again.
I would not have it thought however that I am about to unfold a fearsome
tale in this article far from it. The pen and ink sketch I shall make
of a prison will be executed with the lightest hand imaginable, there
shall not be a shudder in the dozen paragraphs, nor liberal asterisks
in the whole article. Let me now with the daintiest of crow quill
and the rose coloured ink proceed to sketch my paradigm.
It was shortly after 10.00am one bright sunshiny morning that I drew
near H.M.Gaol, I had walked along the railway line marking the pretty
effect of the suns rays upon the ornamental brickwork of the building.
A number of prisoners were at work in the plantations skirting the
railway, but I could not perceive a single warder amongst them.
When within a stones throw of the gaol, a prisoner started up from
behind a fence and shouted, "Have you got a bit o'baccy' on yer
old son". Not deeming it safe to comply with this request, I
walked on a few steps, when another broad arrow emblazoned gentleman
called out from behind a bush, "Sling us a few strikes (matches)
I'm dying for a draw". At this moment a warder appeared on the
embankment, upon which the prisoner commenced doing something with
a hoe at a great rate.
I then enquired of the officer the proper entrance to the prison.
"Vat for you vent to go into de-shale?" he enquired without
directing me. l briefly satisfied him. "You go roun-de little
fence-dat bring you, den you ask for Mr Howlah (Howell), der keeper
an...".
Wearying of this Teutonic warder, I straightway crossed a paddock
where two prisoners were engaged in haymaking, and going through a
small wooden gate found myself facing the main entrance.
Finding the gate of the gaol, strange to say, open, I entered, and
found myself in a highly ornamental lobby, to the left of which was
a room labelled 'office' and to the right another ticketed 'Waiting
room' while at the end, bathed in a flood of sunshine, stood a stout
warder, bearing in his hand a brobdiganagian key (large).
I entered the office and was speedily introduced to Mr Howell, the
keeper. I had a short conversation with him, in the course of which
it transpired that he has been 24 years in the gaol service, 12 years
chief overseer at Yatala labour prison, 5 years keeper at Port Augusta
Gaol, and 6 years as the Governor of this Picturesque Penitentiary
of which I am writing.
In answer to my questions he informed me that the whole of the clerical
work of his establishment is performed by his son and himself, no
prisoner being allowed to look into the books on any pretence whatever.
Mr Howell himself impressed me favourably, he is evidently the right
man in the right place, and yet he is a post.
After many years of hard study he has almost mastered the mysteries
of iambics, trochees, dactyl. He can as Touchstone says "Rhythm
you in your true butter woman gallop".
This is very pleasing, more especially as Mr Howell is an admirable
supervisor of the establishment under his charge, enables mankind
generally to be able to testify that he unites with his poetic fire
the invaluable desiderata of sound common sense, and much practicable
knowledge of the art of convict government.
Her Majesty's Gaol Adelaide, forms a semi-circle, and is divided into
5 yards in each of which is constructed 'wings' containing cells for
the housing of prisoners. These cells are all over 12 feet in height,
and are beautifully clean and admirably ventilated.
Each wing is provided with cells set apart for sick prisoners, ie
those suffering from the DTs, these rooms are fitted with an electric
bell, which on being pressed by the occupant rings a bell in the corridor
where the sentry stands and exhibits upon a dial the number of the
cell in which assistance is required. This arrangement common in most
hotels, is to the last degree useful and ingenious.
The first yard I entered was number 5, this is set apart for prisoners
whose sentences are from 3-6 months. No classification is unfortunately
possible here although it is manifestly desirable that an alteration
should be made in this respect.
This yard contains 2 wings A-B in the former there are 38 cells and
in the latter 14, both yard and out buildings showed signs of cleanliness,
neatness and order.
Our next point of inspection was the trial yard number 4, here a number
of men were wearily pacing to and fro, all wearing their own clothes,
and very seedy garments they looked.
I was informed that prisoners committed for trial are all compelled
to keep their cells, bedding, and persons in the highest state of
cleanliness.
Kept apart upon the upper tier of C-Wing were 3 little boys - quite
children. 2 of these were in trouble for breaking into a church and
the smallest of the trio for forgery.
Isolated as they are from the older offenders there is a chance now
of saving these children, but should they be sentenced at the supreme
court, and pass a period of their childhood spent up with every phase
of crime and degradation, it would require no casting of a horoscope
to predict the future of these juvenile delinquents.
In this yard there is a 'day' room for the use prisoners and also
a sleeping place set apart for blackfellows who peacefully slumber
four in a row upon bed boards and discuss the political situation
unrestrained by the presence of their white brother.
Number 3, or the debtors yard was next inspected. Each prisoner here
is allowed to furnish his cell as he has chosen, and one in particular
was arranged in quite a luxurious manner. The bed was a tasty little
iron couch fitted with a mosquito net, which was trimmed with delicate
pink ribbon. There were also books and a profusion of flowers.
Many of the men in this yard are considered for what is termed 'fraudulent
insolvency' which in this colony is only looked upon as a civil offence,
while both in New South Wales and Victoria men convicted of defrauding
their creditors are treated precisely the same as the ordinary felon.
The female portion of the prison consists of 2 yards numbers 1-2,
with sufficient number of cells and outhouses.
The female prisoners are under the care of a matron and 2 assistants.
I had the pleasure of being introduced to one of the lady turnkeys,
and the impression she left on my mind was that she is admirably adapted
by nature for the onerous duties she has to perform.
While the men with a few exceptions are all employed outside the prison,
the work assigned to the women, is of necessity performed in their
quarters. The labour principally being oakum picking 18 pound per
woman per week, or pulling horsehair, which is very dusty business
indeed.
The female prisoners are classified with tolerable completeness for
instance, those women who are convicted of being ordinary streetwalkers
are kept strictly apart from the others, and all work and take their
meals together in one room. I was taken to see these prisoners, and
I could not help remarking that they did not seem to mind their temporary
incarceration a bit.
The women's workrooms and cookhouse, hospital, are very defective
both as regards space and ventilation. Neither is there that extreme
cleanliness observable in them which characterizes the cells of the
female prison. This is somewhat counterbalanced by the numbers of
smartly printed texts with which the walls of these rooms are ornamented,
by the lady visitors, one of these, 'Go not in the way of evil men'
appeared to be peculiarly appropriate if the same extract, only with
'women' substituted, were placed in each cell in the male prison,
the effect would be very complete indeed.
Having explored the yards, we next directed our attention to the causeway
or space between the inner and outer walls of the prison. Here are
to be found the male hospital and surgery on one side, and the cookhouse,
bathhouse, store, and workroom on the other.
The male hospital is a melancholy place, ill-lighted, ill-ventilated,
and to the last extent cheerless and forlorn. There is no resident
Doctor in the prison, but the Colonial Surgeon visits the gaol 3 times
a week, and is sent for in case of emergency.
This state of affairs seems to me open to serious criticism. There
are 125 men and 55 women confined in the prison, and that there should
be no Doctor continually on the spot to attend to the sanitary arrangements
of the prison appears quite inexplicable. lf economy be intended successive
Administrations which have so long sanctioned this state of affairs
may be complemented upon having extended thrift to very extreme limits
indeed.
While I am upon this subject I may remark that in the gaol it is true
that ordinarily the limit of a man's period of servitude under Mr
Howell's care is 6 months, still that is a very long time for a man
to be kept without mental food of any description. This alone would
be punishment enough in itself to some men.
The cookhouse is very well adapted for the purpose both architecturally
as regards internal fittings. The prisoners are extremely well fed,
as the appended dietary scale which I extract from the rules and regulations
will abundantly demonstrate.
The dietary scale allowance for the several classes of prisoners are
as follows.
No. 1. Hard Labour - l.5 lb. bread, l.5 pound of meat, 1 lb.
potatoes, l.lb peas, 1/2 oz Angar, 2 oz rice, 2 oz salt, l oz soap,
1/2 oz tobacco.
No.2. Light Labour - l lb bread, 1/2 pound meat, 1/2 lb potatoes.
1.2 oz tea, 2 oz sugar, 2 oz rice, 1/2 oz salt, 1/2 oz soap, 1/2 oz
tobacco.
No.3. Solitary - l.5 lb bread.
Prisoners are only allowed tobacco as a reward for good conduct and
industry.
They are strictly prohibited from smoking in any of the buildings,
or during the prescribed workhouse.
Having explored the bathroom which is fitted with one bath only, the
storeroom a fine airy apartment, and the workroom, about which perhaps
the least said the better, we arrived at the residence set apart by
an indulgent government for the hangman.
This man was pacing up and down in the shade opposite his room, so
he was drawn out for my special benefit. Mr Ellis a giant old man
of medium stature clad in a frowsy old coat, a greasy waistcoat, and
a pair of inexpressibles which appeared to have been manufactured
out of a gigantic long-infused tealeaf. His physiognomy is the very
reverse of repossessing.
Imagine a square shaped head surmounted by a shock of dusty hair,
some of which hangs over a low forehead, beneath which from out a
pair of shaggy brows peeps forth a pair of bloodshot eyes of cruel
expression. To these add a prominent nose covered with 'grog' blossoms,
a short grisly beard, and you have a portrait drawn from life.
The apartment assigned to the hangman is worthy of the distinguished
occupant, it is a large room, dark, close, and filthy dirty. About
are strewn a variety of bottles, saucepans, and odds and sods and
of broken victuals and torn newspapers.
The atmosphere of the place was so offensive that I could not remain
in it above a minute. Though old and feeble the hangman is yet I am
told, skilful in the execution of his office.
When I was leaving the prison I could not help thinking what a pleasant
place it was, and how very much better off a great many of the prisoners
must be inside than when they are dependent on their own exertions
for board and residence.
Footnote. After this visit there were 2 fires in 2 years next to Ellis's
room which was approximately across from the present day tunnel. Benjamin
Ellis lived in the gaol until his death in May 1881. He was buried
by the government contractor at West Terrace, just of Road 5.
With Acknowledgement to the Adelaide Observer for this short story.
oooOOooo
Become a Volunteer
Note: The following information is no longer
valid as DEWNR Management have forced the AGPS from the Adelaide Gaol.
Would you like to become a volunteer at the Adelaide Gaol
and share its history?
We currently need volunteers to assist in organising and maintaining
the many Gaol activities. 'On the job' training will be provided.
We especially require day and night time tour guides, cleaners, handymen
and shop assistants. In fact, all skills would be greatly appreciated.
People who are interested in one of South Australia's oldest heritage
sites and are available for a few hours each week should contact
the President of the Adelaide Gaol Preservation Society Inc.
The Adelaide
Gaol Volunteer Application Form can be downloaded and completed
prior to your meeting with the President and the Gaol Manager.
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