Gladstone Gaol: In the Mid North region of South Australia

Gladstone Gaol in the mid north of South Australia, was first used to house "inebriates, debtors and other prisoners." But it seems the civic fathers over estimated the scale of any future crime wave by debt-ridden drunks because, throughout its ninety four-year history, the gaol was only ever half full.

Gaol Manager, Ian Hogben took us on a tour of the gaol:

“It was used as a jail from 1881 to 1975 and at its peak had a hundred and twenty cells. Gladstone Prison has had a fascinating history. During World War Two it was used as an internment camp for Italian and German internees. And for a short period, it operated as a military prison.”

While never full, in fact it's maximum intake at any given time was about sixty inmates, a nineteenth century gaol like this is enough to make any man or woman feel claustrophobic. And for much of its life it certainly did. Ian showed us the female wing including its own exercise yard.

“The men and women prisoners were totally separate. That was important - there was zero contact. And in those days it was the Prison Governor’s wife who looked after the female ward. So it was a team effort.”

Gladstone the site chosen for a major regional prison because of it's importance as a railway hub. Prisoners could be transported by train from Port Augusta and Adelaide. Once here, many of the men were put to work in market gardens just outside the prison. Inside, the female inmates were also kept busy in the laundry: Ian showed us inside where we saw a collection of strange old machines:

“This machine was a sheet press for rolling the sheets through and ironing them. I don't think too many sheets get ironed these days but in those days everything had to be crisp and pristine.”

Thanks to pressure from reformers like the then judge Roma Mitchell, Gladstone Gaol was finally closed in 1975. But every so often former inmates return to have a look around including one bloke who did time here during its life as a military prison.

“The chap had been a pilot in World War Two. He'd done his flying training in Port Pirie and in his exuberance on completing his training he did a bit of a low-level flight over Port Pirie. When he pulled up he was suitably apprehended and brought here. He actually served about thirty days in the middle of summer in this gaol as a military prison.”

When opened to the public in 1975 it was thought a quick tour of such a forbidding place would help frighten kids from a life of crime. But according to Ian, they love the place - especially the cellblock used for solitary confinement.

“The longest stay in solitary confinement was sixteen days and that was served by a woman named Mary Shipp, who, in 1911 was found guilty of three counts of misconduct.”

Now many of the larger cellblocks, complete with chapel and dental surgery are taken up by those wanting an overnight stay with a difference. Ian says he’s slept in the gaol himself and says the beds are quite comfortable.

“The cells are effectively backpacker accommodation because they have to bring their own sleeping gear. The temperature is quite stable - the air conditioning is open the window. We encourage groups and we get car clubs and common interest groups coming up here. It's quite comfortable and we make it a nice pleasant experience which is quite different.”

Tours of the Gladstone Gaol are run every day except Tuesday. A night's accommodation is $15 but you need to supply your own linen. The gaol has a liquor license - a move that would have gone down well with inmates all those years ago. For bookings contact 8662 2200 or for more info please email info@postcards-sa.com.au