Maitland Gaol

Pamela B Harrison, author of ‘Life and Death in Maitland Gaol’, has been awarded a New South Wales Heritage Grant to support a new project that supplements her previous publication.
The new publication, as yet untitled, aims to document and identify female staff employed at Maitland Gaol between 1848 and 1900. Dr Harrison aims to draw attention to these women’s working conditions and low salaries in comparison to their male counterparts.
A significant amount of research has already been undertaken however the author is now searching for photographs of female prison staff from this period. Do you have a Matron or Female Warder in your family history? If so we’d love to hear from you by email via info@maitlandgaol.com.au or by phone on 4936 6482.

Spring has sprung at Maitland Gaol and the gardens are certainly showing off. The rose garden which was pruned in early August has been enjoying the warm spring sun, and the roses are full of shoots. During early winter a series of jonquil bulbs were planted and they are not only putting on a spectacular display but also filling the area with their beautiful scent.
This garden is only a small representation of the vast gardens that existed both inside and outside the gaol wa...lls which were tended by prisoners.
Children can learn more about the gardens of Maitland Gaol on our special school holiday activity Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt. Tickets are on sale now at www.maitlandgaol.com.au/events or by calling 4936 6482
See More

Our Ex-Warder tour guide has been away for a few weeks on a special Rotary trip to Papua New Guinea, where he has been part of a crew assisting in the construction of facilities for a small village.
He has returned to us raring and ready to get back into his tours, starting with a torchlight tour this Saturday night. Hear stories about what’s it’s like to work in a maximum security gaol from someone who lived the experience for 20 years. This unique perspective continues to be one of our most popular tours, but it won’t be around forever.
The tour starts at 8.00pm and is an excellent experience for anyone looking for a different perspective on Gaol life. Book now at www.maitlandgaol.com.au/events or by calling 4936 6482

Staff at Maitland Gaol recently attended the bi annual Justice Groups Meeting. The groups give justice sites from across NSW the opportunity to discuss issues of commonality and to share useful information. This meeting was held at Brush Farm, the Corrective Services Academy in Eastwood.
The outcomes from the group this time included a decision to cross promote the sites throughout NSW. A discussion and decision was made about the opportunity to reach out to other justice si...tes across Australia, through a network managed by Museums Australia. A document was also presented that will assist with the sharing of collection items across the sites.
We’d like to thank our colleagues at Corrective Services for hosting us and say a big thanks to all the sites involved including Old Dubbo Gaol, Deerubbin Aboriginal Land Council (Parramatta Gaol) and the University of Wollongong that continue to make the meetings successful and interesting.
See More

Ever wondered where your food comes from? Book your place in a special public dinner and tour package at Maitland Gaol. Get together a small group of friends and be treated to a three course dinner featuring local produce from Galloway Meats.
Following dinner, you’ll get a 90 minute guided Ex-warder tour where you will hear about what it was like to work behind the sandstone walls.
The event is on Friday 12 October from 6.00pm to 9.30pm at a cost of $85.00. Bookings are essen...tial and must be made by Sunday 7 October. The event is also BYO (beer and wine only).
To find out more and to book call 4936 6482 or click here: https://mait.city/2oqpolf.
See More

Crimes of Passion are a common occurrence on TV crime shows but as you’ll find out on our torchlight tour this weekend, fact is often worse than fiction. The Crimes of Passion Torchlight Tour is a guided tour around the facility which kicks off at 8.00pm this Saturday 8 September. You’ll hear about stories that are real and true and feature people that were incarcerated, or worse, in Maitland Gaol. With the inclusion of local connections, you’ll be fascinated by the people and crimes time has forgotten.
This is an adult’s only tour and tickets can be booked at www.maitlandgaol.com.au/events or by calling 4936 6482.

We’re excited to reveal we have a brand new Gaol Jam in stock thanks to the awesome ladies from the East Maitland Branch CWA Their latest jam, which is called ‘Lemonade Marmalade’, is all about enjoying a ‘citrus twist’. Lemonades are a popular home grown fruit, however quite difficult to find in supermarkets. They are a beautiful sweet fruit, with a wonderful citrus flavour best picked and eaten straight from the tree.
The CWA ladies have again worked their magic to create a... delicious marmalade. Unlike a traditional marmalade the peel doesn’t give a bitter taste. It’s proving popular already, and anyone who enjoys a jam like sweetness with a citrus flavour is sure to enjoy the latest creation. Swing by Gaol reception to get your hands on a jar.
#mymaitland #CWA #waronwaste
See More

The Inaugural Vinnies Community Sleepout in Maitland is on tonight right here at Maitland Gaol.
Funds raised through the Vinnies Community Sleepout contribute to important work in our community with over $700,000 contributed to the Maitland region last financial year.
If you'd like to support the cause click on the link below and donate now. https://mait.city/2oix1tY

Work is progressing steadily on the roofing repairs at Maitland Gaol. The scaffolding is now in place around the original workshops building, now known as the gym, and the works being undertaken include the replacement of guttering on the two story building.
Whilst the scaffolding is now out of the standard path our visitors take, we would still like everyone to take caution. As part of the works some small areas of concrete have had to be removed to investigate whether the d...ownpipes can be connected back into the storm water outlets.
Unfortunately, this means that there are a number of small areas fenced off, as well as the gym.
If you’re planning a visit to the Gaol please note that all areas usually open to the public are fully accessible.
See More

With Father’s Day happening this Sunday, now is your last chance to secure tickets to the special event ‘A Bite Behind Bars’.
Dads are always busy, mowing lawns, washing cars and being Mr Fix It around the house so now is your chance to take Dad prisoner and secure him a ticket to this special event at Maitland Gaol. Give him the opportunity to relax with a delicious picnic lunch that real prisoners would kill for, followed by a guided tour around Maitland Gaol. Whilst he’s l...ocked in you can secure his undivided attention to say thanks for all the wonderful things he does for his family.
Book now at www.maitlandgaol.com.au/events or by calling 4936 6482 #fathersday #maitlandgaol #mymaitland
See More

The first week of maintenance is complete at Maitland Gaol and the front of B Wing now has a shiny new roof (pictured). The rooms underneath have previously suffered water damage due to the roofing problems so it is expected that these issues can now be fixed accordance with heritage guidelines.
The works have now moved to the front of A Wing, and the scaffolding has been set up with roof work commencing late last week. There has been a small impact on the standard entry to A... Wing, but access is still available via the side entry.
A series of items being removed from each location are being collected, tagged and held in Maitland Gaol’s collection for heritage purposes. An exhibition which explores the works, and any interesting finds uncovered during the project, will be held next year.
#maitlandgaol #repairs #heritage #mymaitland
See More

Father’s Day is next weekend!
No need to panic, we have everything sorted for you at Maitland Gaol. We know Dad’s love spending time with their families, and as he’s preparing for barbecue season why not give him one last break from cooking.
Enjoy a picnic lunch and guided tour at Maitland Gaol this Father’s Day. The picnic will include a selection of wraps, mini sandwiches, gorgeous fruit platters (like the one pictured) and a selection of sweets. We are certain no one will ...escape hungry!
Book your tickets to our 'Bite Behind Bars' now at maitlandgaol.com.au or by calling 4936 6482.
See More

Sadly by the early 1900s visiting prisons had become somewhat of an amusing pastime for some well to do men in the community and they arranged times to tour the gaols and stare down the incarcerated men and women going about their lives, liberty removed.
Captain Neitenstein, the Comptroller of General Prisons in New South Wales was disgusted by this behaviour and submitted a report to the Attorney General outlining the strict guidelines followed by prisons in Europe and Ameri...ca in regards to visitors in Gaols.
In May 1904 a series of regulations regarding visitors in NSW Gaols were changed again so that each person wishing to ‘inspect’ prisons would have their credentials checked and would only be authorised if deemed appropriate e.g. journalists. A casual visitor, who infiltrates the prison for no other reason than his own amusement would have to be content with the sight of the prison only, they would see nothing of the prisoners, their cells or workrooms.
We aren’t as selective about our visitors these days. If you’re interested in seeing behind bars visit www.maitlandgaol.com.au
Image from the State Library of NSW circa 1905
See More

The brand new Cartoscope map for the Great North Road Convict Trail was launched on Sunday in Wollombi. The map is part of a larger project which aims to open up the convict trail to as many people as possible. For anyone travelling from Sydney, the Great North Road is a fascinating and interesting way to experience coming into the Hunter Region, and leads you right through to Maitland.
The maps are free and available from Maitland Gaol reception now and include a special offer for Maitland Gaol visitors.
If you are after additional information check out the brand new website http://greatnorthroad.com.au/

Did you see Sydney Weekender on Sunday afternoon?
Check out what Mike and the team got up to in and around Maitland, and see if they survived the night Ghost Hunting at Maitland Gaol...

Father’s Day is fast approaching which means it’s time to treat your dad!
They have sheds full of tools, box set collections to rival a video shop and sporting memorabilia coming out their ears. So why not experience something different with Dad this Father’s Day? Treat him to A Bite Behind Bars which includes lunch and a guided tour of the Gaol.
Enjoy a picnic on the exercise field with plenty of space to bask in the sun with a full belly before joining one of our experienc...ed guides to hear about some of the escapes that took place from Maitland Gaol, successful or otherwise.
Tickets are limited and bookings are essential. Go to www.maitlandgaol.com.au or call 4936 6482.
See More

Are you keen to make a difference to the lives of people experiencing homelessness? Vinnies Australia has organised a Community Sleepout on Thursday 30 August at Maitland Gaol to help raise awareness of homelessness in the Lower Hunter and to continue to provide support for those disadvantaged. You can still register to sleep out or if you simply want to donate click here: https://nswvinniescommunitysleepout.gofun draise.com.au/…/Ma…
For more call Vinnies on 4032 3580 or email Jennifer.Barrie@vinnies.org.au

The visiting of prisoners changed a lot over Maitland Gaols 150 Years of operation. In the earliest period visiting just wasn’t permitted, it was too hard to manage in a site that was vastly under equipped. But from 1867, all Gaol’s around the state were ordered to permit visitation to prisoners on the following conditions; Immediately after a person’s conviction and at intervals of one month, by any number of visitors on one day. The visiting time was limited to 20 minutes a...nd an officer had to be present at every visit for observation. People who had been sentenced to Gaol, and others of known bad character were not eligible to visit. Lastly except for exceptional reasons, there were to be no visits permitted on Sundays. For more info about prisoners and to learn about what they got up to why not attend a guided tour? Go to www.maitlandgaol.com.au for more.
See More

Roofing repairs have begun today on a series of maintenance backlog issues on various buildings around the site. This will address serious water damage to the sandstone and building interiors including B Wing, A Wing, Workshop Building, and Visitors Centre. The repairs are expected to take six weeks so, if you are visiting during this time, access to some of the buildings may have changed slightly, however all buildings will remain open. If you’re around during this time give a wave to anyone you see on the roof of a building and check in with Maitland Gaol staff if you are after additional information.

We paid $16 as concessions in a group of 12 with the understanding we had a tour guide. Well no we had to wonder around on our own , asked man at desk about audio well he said that will take me 15min to organise if you can wait. Not very helpfull every one was very disappointed.