AGY-505 | Narrabri Gaol

Full description

The Narrabri prison was a small one which housed short term prisoners from the local area and unconvicted prisoners awaiting trial locally.(1) The first report of the Comptroller-General of Prisons reported that the Narrabri Gaol contained accommodation for two separated and three associated prisoners. There were 48 entries and 34 discharges during 1874. All prisoners were held while awaiting trial.(2) On 1 February 1882 a new building to house prisoners, referred to as the New Gaol at Narrabri, was completed and proclaimed as a Public Gaol, Prison and House of Correction, with the facility currently in use as a Gaol returned to it's former purpose as a Watch-house and Lock-up.(3) In 1885 accommodation had increased to six solitary and 36 associated cells with 83 entries and 77 departures during the year.(4) Narrabri Gaol ceased to be a prison by proclamation on 16 August 1909 (5) but was reproclaimed the following day.(6) Narrabri Gaol was finally deproclaimed as a gaol on 2 November 1982, (7) in accordance with the Prisons Rationalisation Plan which recommended it's closure as a small institution no longer considered necessary.(8) In 2005, Narrabri Gaol was maintained by members of the Narrabri Historical Society as part of the Old Gaol Heritage Centre.(9) Endnotes
(1) Official Yearbook of New South Wales, 1976
(2) Prisons report for 1874 p. 3 in NSW Parliamentary Papers, 1987 Vol. 2 p. 971
(3) NSW Government Gazette, No 61, 10 February 1882, p.777
(4) Prisons report for 1885 p. 4 in NSW Parliamentary Papers, 1885-86 Volume 4 p. 950
(5) NSW Government Gazette, 11 August 1909, p.4451
(6) NSW Government Gazette, No.112, 18 August 1909, p.4564
(7) NSW Government Gazette, No.163, 26 November 1982, p.5373
(8) NSW Department of Corrective Services, Annual Report 1983, p.15
(9) www.narrabri.visitnsw.com (accessed 14/2/2005)
REFERENCES: (1) Official Yearbook of New South Wales, 1904/5 - 1988. Sydney, Government Printer, 1906 - 1988
(2) New South Wales Government Gazette. Sydney, Government Printer. 1832 -