Read: History of Parramatta Gaol 26 October 2022 – Posted in: Blog
Parramatta Gaol/Jail is a tooled sandstone structure with several wings, enclosed by high sandstone walls topped with observation towers. Constructed between 1835-1842. Designed in Old Grecian style, it consists of six cell blocks, three storeys in height. To the rear are three radiating semi-circular or rectangular two storey prison blocks.
In 1842 economic depression halted construction. However a perimeter wall, a Governor’s house/chapel, and three of the proposed five double-storied radiating wings had been finished. The incomplete prison opened in 1842.
In 1897, Parramatta was the second largest gaol in the colony, with 364 men and eight women inmates.
Parramatta gaol was designed to house habitual criminals and recidivists with long sentences who could be trained for productive work.
It was closed from 1918 to 1922 and briefly used as a mental health facility.
By 1929, it had become NSW’s principal manufacturing gaol, producing boots, brushes, tinware, clothes, joinery and foodstuffs. It also became a centre for rehabilitation.
In 2004, there were calls for the centre to be closed after two inmates escaped by scaling the prison wall using ladders without being seen by Guards.
It was mostly classified as a medium-security, short-term Remand Centre, Transient Centre and Metropolitan Periodic Detention Centre. It housed both un-sentenced and sentenced male inmates, including Drug Court sanctions and male periodic detainees.
The prison closed on 9 October 2011. It was Australia’s oldest serving gaol.
Ownership of the building was transferred to the Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council in 2015.
Jo Thompson will be attending Parramatta Gaol on 29 October 2022 to do Psychic Readings and Aura Photos for Psychic Saturday. This will be a great event.
Sources:
1. Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parramatta_Correctional_Centre
2. Parramatta Gaol by Terri McCormack, 2008, The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021: dictionaryofsydney.org/browse/entry
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Oz Para Expo and Paranormal Entertainment is the Event Organizer for “Psychic Saturday”.