AGY-432 | Armidale Gaol

Full description

On 12 July 1859 the construction of a new public Gaol at Armidale was proclaimed. (1) The proclamation was in accordance with the Prison Regulation Act 1840 (4 Victoria, No.29). The construction of the new prison was to replace the lockup, which had been located at the border police Station since 1841. (2) The original tender for the new Gaol submitted by to the Colonial Architect in 1861 was for 2,318 pounds (3). Due to complications the prison building at Armidale was completed by 1863 over budget, at the cost of 2,580 pounds. (4) Armidale Gaol operated as a minor police Gaol for a maximum of 12 short-term sentence prisoners in the district. It was proclaimed a Public Gaol, Prison and House of Correction on May 22, 1863. (5) On the 27 May 1863, Mr Samuel Caldwell, as the gaoler, and Mrs Isabella Caldwell as the Matron were appointed. (6) The Caldwell's commenced duties in June 1863 (7), and the first Prisoner is recorded as entering the goal on June 26 1863. (8) Charles Thomas Weaver was appointed as Visiting Justice on June 17 1884. (9) In accordance with the Prisons Act, 1899, Armidale Gaol was declared a "Prison" as specified by the Act. (10) The report of the Comptroller - General of prisons for 1920 stated that;" Police Gaols which were reduced from 13 to 11 during the year by the closing of Armidale and Newcastle are regarded as receiving houses, and only very short term cases served their terms Therein. These establishments are of little use in the scheme of treatment, but are retained as a matter of convenience". (11) Armidale Gaol was deproclaimed on 25 June 1920 and ceased to be a prison from 1 July 1920. (12) In December 1927 permission was granted for the demolition of the premises and the Armidale Teachers' College was subsequently erected on the site. Endnotes:
(1) NSW Government Gazette 12 July 1859 p. 1545
(2) Denis Hope (Ed) An Armidale Album, New England Regional Art Museum Association 1982 p.67
(3) Ibid p. 72
(4) Gaols; Statistics Respecting". Report of the Colonial Secretary dated 25 June 1866 p. 1, in Votes and Proceedings. 1866, Volume 1 p. 831
(5) NSW Government Gazette May 22, 1863 p. 1176
(6) NSW Government Gazette 27 May, 1863 p.1263
(7) NSW Public Service List 1864 p. 26
(8) Corrective Services; Armidale Gaol; Entrance Book, 1863 to 1893 (SRNSW re: 5/823 Entry No 1; SR Reel No; 2316)
(9) NSW Government Gazette June 17, 1864 p. 1425
(10) Prisons Act, 1899 (Act No 27, 1899) s. 4 in conjunction with Schedule 2
(11) Report of the Comptroller - General of Prisons for the year ended 31 December 1920, p. 3 in Parliamentary Papers, 1921, Volume 3 p. 97
(12) NSW Government Gazette 25 June 1920, p. 3588