Fremantle Prison

Convicts were made to build there own prison, building it from limestone dug out of the hill on which it was built.  From 1855 to 1991, 350,000 people were incarcerated here, although the highest numbers held at any one time were 1200 men, and 58 women.  Of those 43 men and one woman were executed on site, the last of which was serial killer Eric Edgar Cooke in 1964.  The population was distinguished into two groups, convicts who were sent from England never to be returned, and prisoners who were from Australia.  The prison was condemned in the late 1800's but continued its operation until its closure in 1991.


The gates to the prison.

                                          The visiting room.

 
                    Our guide decided to use Hoss in his example of how inmates were handled when first arriving at the prison.

The grounds in the background were vegetable gardens when the prison was in operation.

The wall at the far back shows the hill that was dug out to construct the prison.

Each morning the inmates had to leave their cell and place their feet on the white line(hence the saying "toe the line" was derived) so they could be counted.

This prison was archaic!  The prisoners used a bucket in their cell as a toilet, and every morning it was dumped out in the trough behind the tour guide.  This practice was enforced until the closing date in 1991.

                                       Outdoor area.

This chapel which is housed in the prison is still used for weddings.  What a gruesome place to be married!!!

The next 8 pictures show how the cells were improved over time!

Some prisoners were given permission to paint on the walls.

This is the waiting room before an execution.

Solitary confinement area.

 How many lashes?

                                           The gallows.

 I found this prison to be very interesting but also disturbing!