Gaol 'Facebook' Future - New Communications

It is reasonable to assume that as Colonial Architect, Mortimer Lewis sat at his drafting board, working on the design for Maitland Gaol in the early 19th Century he could never have imagined the advancements in technology which would take place over the following 180 yrs. The first prisoners were transported by barge up the Hunter River to the port at Morpeth and then marched to the newly appointed prison on New Years Eve 1848. At various times prisoners were moved to and from the gaol by train and van and finally by armoured transport vehicles. Similarly, modes of communication with the gaol have evolved from hand written letters and telegrams to telephone, fax and in most recent times the internet and email. It is hard to believe the evolution in communication which has developed since the turn of the 21st century such as Facebook, Twitter, blogging and even many of the mobile technologies of today were only just being thought about when the Gaol closed only 11 years ago.

Maitland Gaol has had a web address for a number of years, and recently developed this blog to present the history of the Gaol to the wider community, however, in a move designed to allow more direct interaction between the heritage listed site and the greater global community, gaol staff have developed a Facebook page containing news and information about the gaol, including upcoming tours and events. Members of the public can share photographs and stories and take advantage of exclusive deals.

To celebrate the creation of the Maitland Gaol Facebook page, staff are offering “fans” the opportunity to win a double pass to a gaol tour of their choice by submitting photographs they have taken while visiting the site. Becoming a “fan” is easy. Simply create a Facebook profile, search “Maitland Gaol” and register. Then upload a maximum of 2 photos featuring the gaol. Professional and amateur snappers are welcome to enter the competition and the winner will be notified via the web page by April 30th. Photographs will be available for viewing on the Facebook page.

Attached Photo: Ex-officers, ex-inmates, family & friends take part in a research forum. (Photographer: Maitland Gaol staff member)

Crafty Artists?

Maitland Mercury, 22 February, 2010

As mentioned in a previous “Unlocked” article, from its earliest days, Maitland Gaol operated as an “industrial prison” offering a multitude of opportunities to “keep idle hands and minds busy in employment”. From unskilled labour to trades-work such as carpentry, painting, blacksmithing, stonecutting, book binding and tailoring, inmates were employed in almost every aspect of the day to day running of the prison.

As well as these aforementioned “jobs” around the gaol, in the later years of operation, inmates could engage themselves in pursuit of hobbies, including music, painting, wood carving, model construction and other hand crafts.

A further initiative was implemented when inmates were permitted to proffer their creations for sale to the general public. While a small percentage of the proceeds were used by the institution to cover administrative costs, most revenue earned from the sale of items was deposited into the inmates’ commissary accounts where it could be used for “buy-ups”, the process by which inmates could purchase everyday consumables like tobacco, soap, coffee etc. or more luxurious items like televisions and “ghetto-blasters”.

The items pictured have been generously donated to the Maitland Gaol Collection by local residents. The hobby horse was purchased by John and Eileen Wilson for their youngest granddaughter in 1985.

The arrow-printed shirt is part of a full prisoners’ costume purchased by Mrs Olive Adams for her daughter to wear at a school function in 1984. Both these items were acquired from the Lindsay Street Barracks which at the time was operating as the Gaol Museum and Gift Shop. The Darcy Dugan signed landscape, on loan from Mrs Joan Newton, was obtained by Mr Des Newton at a Rotary Art Auction held in the old Scout Hall on the corner of Grant Street and the New England Highway.

Readers with prison-made arts and crafts interested in loaning them to the gaol for a proposed future exhibition are encouraged to contact Maitland Gaol staff on (02) 4936 6482 or email info@maitlandgaol.com.au

Model Prisoner

Maitland Mercury, Monday 8 February, 2010

While researching “Unlocked” articles, Maitland Gaol staff has evidenced numerous inmate created artworks including beautiful painted landscapes and other items of craft-ware worthy of exhibition. Former inmate, Troy Johnson, believes it is a testament to the human spirit that within the walls, side by side with the violence, sadness and desperation, there was beauty.

Troy Johnson first entered Maitland Gaol in 1986 and did 3 lags over the following years before being released for the final time in March 1990. His first tentative steps into “the grey stone university” have left an indelible impression. “I walked into B Wing and across the back wall was a big sign saying ‘The Ghetto’, and someone’s tape player was blaring out “Bad To The Bone”. I was a kid, 18 years old. It was very intimidating at first.”

Troy remains thankful that a senior, “heavy” inmate recognised him as a local, Maitland boy and briefed him on the intricacies of gaol culture in those first few days. Others were not treated so benevolently and for some, life in Maitland Gaol could be an increasingly violent nightmare.

During his first lag in Maitland, Troy was befriended by Ken Graham, a Vietnam veteran in his late 40s, serving a life sentence. Reconciled to his lengthy incarceration, Ken had begun work on a replica of the frigate “Baltik”. Completed over a 5 year period using requisitioned materials including recycled cedar panels and other timber from the gaol, the model ship displays exquisite craftsmanship, and as Troy explains, is evidence of “the strength of character of the artist”. Troy purchased the model from Ken in 1992 and it has remained a treasured item in his home and a constant reminder of the ability of the human spirit to flourish in even the direst circumstances.

Readers wishing to share their Maitland Gaol related stories or artefacts are encouraged to contact gaol staff at info@maitlandgaol.com.au or by phoning (02) 4936 6482.

A Quiet Achiever: Alphonsus Bede Mayers

Maitland Mercury, Monday 25th January, 2010

During the course of research for this column it has become evident that many of the officers at Maitland Gaol adhered strictly to the “what happens at work stays at work” policy.

Chief Officer, Alphonsus Bede Mayers was no exception. Phonsus’ daughter, Kerry, explains that “dad didn’t talk to us about work. Mum would sometimes find out things weeks later from other officers’ wives. Things like suicides and escape attempts, even the riot”. She understands her father was simply trying to protect his family from the often disturbing events that took place at the site. He took this role very seriously, even refusing to have a telephone at home so as to negate the potential for inmates or their associates to contact the household.

Therefore, it was with much surprise that in April 1974 Kerry opened the door to a journalist wishing to speak to her father about the impending presentation of a bravery award for his intervention in a violent escape attempt by four dangerous inmates. Phonsus explained at the time, “a lifer got me around the neck with one arm” before attacking him with a Braille machine. He then grappled with the inmate until other officers arrived to assist. Phonsus continued, “Smithy ran for the door and tried to lock it. One of the men got a wooden chair leg and kept hitting him with it. Smithy copped the lot”.

Kerry recalls the great sense of pride she felt as her father and fellow officer, Boston Smith, were awarded the Queen’s Commendation For Brave Conduct by then NSW Governor, Sir Roden Cutler, during a ceremony at Government House. Since its inception in 1939, only 405 Australians have received the prestigious award.

Any family members former officers or inmates of Maitland Gaol are encouraged to contact gaol staff with their recollections on (02) 4936 6482 or info@maitlandgaol.com.au

Hive of Industry

Maitland Mercury, Monday 11 January, 2010

Welcome back to Maitland Gaol “Unlocked” as we take our first peak for 2010 behind the scenes of Maitland Gaol’s growing collection of artefacts.

From its earliest days Maitland Gaol operated as an “industrial prison”. Though the population of the gaol, which rarely exceeded 350 inmates, was considered small, there was on offer a multitude of opportunities to “keep idle hands and minds busy in employment”.

Records dating from the late 1830s indicate that convict labour was utilised in the original clearing of the site and construction of the gaol. Once the gaol was officially opened in 1848 inmates were required to work if healthy enough to do so. From unskilled labour to trades-work such as carpentry, painting, blacksmithing, stonecutting, book binding and tailoring, inmates were employed in almost every aspect of the day to day running of the prison. The small number of women incarcerated were usually employed in needlework, washing, sweeping and general cleaning.

The accompanying image includes scissors from the old Tailor Shop, a sign from the Upholstery Shop, and templates used in the fabrication of hospital theatre boots and assorted items for the armed forces. These artefacts relating to the honest toil carried out by inmates in the modern era under the supervision of Corrective Service Industries are testament to the work carried on throughout the entire 150 years that the Maitland Gaol operated.

As always, Mercury readers are encouraged to contact Maitland Gaol staff on (02) 4936 6482 or info@maitlandgaol.com.au with information regarding the gaol’s operation.