Maitland Jail - tour with an ex-inmate
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I spent last weekend on a mini-break to the Hunter Valley with a busload of friends. In charge of the itinerary, I leapt at the chance to include a visit to Maitland Gaol, the longest continuously running correctional facility in Australia when it closed in 1998.
Dating back to the 1840s, Maitland Gaol is now a heritage site that has become a popular tourist attraction. We joined the 1.5 hour tour led by an ex-inmate, a fascinating if sobering journey that included plenty of prison anecdotes, horror stories, violence and a few too many gory and grisly details for some.
I found it fascinating though. If anything, it makes you appreciate natural light, space and personal freedom. And as I walked into each tiny, stark and dimly lit cell, I knew there were many more stories, if only those walls could talk.
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Razor wire
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View looking up from the ground floor of B-wing
- prison cells line each side of the building;
the grille floor between each level was put in to prevent falls and "accidents"
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Prison cells in B-wing
- each door weighs between 80-100kg
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Shower cells in the shower block
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Rear entrance to the administration block
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Segregation cells
- these outdoor exercise yards included showers and toilet and were
used by inmates who required protection from other inmates
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Crown seal
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Information for inmates
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Confiscated weapons made by inmates
Maitland Gaol
6-18 John Street, East Maitland, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 4936 6482
Ex-inmate day tours operate on Saturday and Sunday 11am
Adults $15, Concession $12
Must be pre-booked and pre-paid
Restricted to over 14-year-olds due to explicit tour content
Self-guided audio tours operate daily 10am-4pm
Adults $12, Concession $10
Related GrabYourFork posts:
Hunter Valley 2008/1: Maitland Gaol tour
Hunter Valley 2008/2: Morpeth Pie Man and Morpeth Sourdough
Hunter Valley 2008/3: Dinner at the Newcastle Travelodge Hotel
Hunter Valley 2008/4: Vineyards and cheese tasting
Hunter Valley 2007/1: Cessnock
Hunter Valley 2007/2: Vineyards, cheeseshops and an olive centre
Hunter Valley 2007/3: Lunch at Harrigan's Irish Pub
Hunter Valley 2007/4: A vineyard, cheeseshop and beer brewery
Hunter Valley 2007/5: Dinner at Chez Pok
posted by Helen (Grab Your Fork) on 9/23/2008 11:33:00 pm
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3 Comments:
At 9/24/2008 6:38 am,
Anonymous said…
I was wondering where you were. The sudden change of photos from wine to rather suspicious looking objects was really abrupt.
At 9/24/2008 8:07 pm,
Anonymous said…
Wahhh that is an intense place and great photos btw :) The prison is interesting but I'm looking forward to the more cheery and lighthearted food-related posts form Hunter Valley haha.
At 9/29/2008 12:09 am,
Helen (Grab Your Fork) said…
Hi mirvettium - lol. It's not always about food. The gaol tour was really interesting :)
Hi ffichiban - Enjoy :)
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