History
Discover the hidden stories and fascinating history of Geelong’s criminal past.
The History of Geelong Gaol: Prison, Punishment, and Reform
The Geelong Gaol first opened its doors in 1853 and ran continuously until 1991 when the gates closed behind the final prisoner.
In the intervening years, it was the site of a prison for male and female prisoners, an industrial school for young girls, a hospital for those sick and dying prisoners in the colony, a military detention centre and a training prison. Based on the Pentonville system which preached silence and separation, the tiny cells with only a bucket for a toilet and few creature comforts made it a miserable existence for all who were incarcerated there.
Executions
Early Executions (1854)
The Geelong Gaol was the scene of six executions. The first were John Gunn and George Roberts in 1854 for the murder of Samuel Harris and the attempted murder of George Kelly. This was also the first and only public execution at Gallows Flats.
Execution of James Ross (1856)
In 1856, James Ross was executed for the murder of Elizabeth Sayer and his infant son.
Execution of Owen McQueeney (1858)
In 1858, Owen McQueeney was executed for the Green Tent murder of Elizabeth Lowe.
Later Executions (1863–1865)
In 1863, James Murphy was executed for the murder of Constable Daniel O’Boyle.
In 1865, Thomas Menard was executed for the murder of James Sweeney. Menard is buried within the confines of the Geelong Gaol.
Industrial School
The 1864 Neglected Children’s Act
The Act allowed authorities to place into care children who had been abandoned by their parents or were living on the streets.
Overcrowding in Existing Facilities
With rising immigration during the gold rush and afterward, the existing Ryrie Street Industrial School became overcrowded.
Conversion of Geelong Gaol Wings
To address the overflow, the north, south and east wings of the gaol were converted into the Myers Street Industrial School, which housed girls aged 3–16 and boys up to age 6.
Population and Operation (1868–1873)
Between 1868 and 1873, the school housed up to 192 students, while male and female prisoners continued to occupy the west wing.
Prisoners
A Long History of Incarceration
Geelong Gaol has been the place of imprisonment for thousands of men, women and children throughout its history.
Men, Women and Children in the 1800s
While men were held here throughout all operational periods, women and children were only incarcerated during the 1800s.
Transfer of Female Prisoners
By the early 1900s, all women were transferred to the Female Prison at Coburg, with only those on remand kept at Geelong Gaol for short periods.
Youngest Known Prisoner
The youngest prisoner on record was just 2 years old, incarcerated during the 1860s.
Hospital
Closure of the Industrial School
After the Industrial School closed, the Geelong Gaol took on a new role within the Victorian prison system.
A Hospital Gaol for Victoria
Geelong Gaol was designated the hospital gaol for the colony, chosen for its coastal location, which was believed to benefit prisoners suffering from illness, disease, age-related decline, or disability.
“Prison of the Ill”
During this period, it became known as the “Prison of the Ill” or the “Seaside Resort,” reflecting its role in caring for some of the colony’s most vulnerable inmates.
Deaths Within the Bluestone Walls
Despite the work of medical officers, the gaol witnessed hundreds of deaths within its bluestone walls as prisoners succumbed to illness and disease.
Military
Conversion to Military Use
During World War II, Geelong Gaol was repurposed as a military detention barracks, officially known as the 8th Australian Detention Barracks or Geelong Detention Barracks.
Who Was Held
The gaol housed members of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with a few international soldiers, who were incarcerated for military offences.
Capacity and Operation
Up to 192 SUS (soldiers under sentence) were held during the gaol’s five-year military operation.
Notable Escape
In July 1945, these soldiers carried out the largest breakout in Victorian prison history, with 22 men escaping from the barracks.
Closure & Beyond
Closure of Geelong Gaol
The Geelong Gaol closed in July 1991, with remaining prisoners transferred to the newly constructed Barwon Prison.
Transition to Museum
In 1995, the Rotary Club of Geelong assumed management of the site and opened the gaol as a museum.
Change of Ownership
In 2019, the Geelong Council sold the gaol into private ownership.
Reopening and Exhibition
In June 2019, the Geelong Gaol Museum reopened, showcasing the history of colonial crime and punishment in Victorian gaols and offering visitors a glimpse into the conditions of an 1850s colonial prison.
