While visiting Freemantle, I went to jail!
What did I do that I had to go to jail? Well actually, I went for a Doing Time Tour of Freemantle Prison :). Guided tours are conducted daily from the family friendly Doing Time Tour to the more adventurous Tunnel Tour. For the brave souls, there is also the spooky Torchlight Tour.
Freemantle Prison
The 1 hour 15 minute tour started at the assembly area where new inmates “check-in” and had to surrender all their personal belongings. Then we were led to the shower area where the newly checked-in inmates showered and changed into their prison uniform.
Assembly area where new inmates ‘check-in’
From the shower area, we stepped out to the open compound of the prison where we learnt about the history of the prison. Freemantle Prison was constructed using convict labour between 1851 and 1859. It was used until November 1991. Today it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and opened to visitors.
Freemantle Prison main compound
Then we were ushered into the Main Cell Block. The cells look small. We got to see inside the cells later in the tour. The prison housed both male & female prisoners in separate buildings.
Rows and rows of cells
Safety net to prevent prisoners from jumping down
Bucket was used as the toilet in the cell
Here we learnt of the daily routine of prisoners while incarcerated and the timetable for all their activities.
Daily timetable for prisoners
Prisoners can request for their wages to buy things
The tour continues to the kitchen and the prison chapel. There are two chapels in the prison. The prison chapel was the only place where the male and female prisoners can interact with each other. But they were not allowed to sit together though.
The prison kitchen where meals are prepared
Chapel where male and female prisoners can interact
On the way back to another cell block, we passed by an open yard where the prisoners had their meals, exercise and room to stretch their legs.
One of the open yards in the prison
The tour allowed one to have a peek of how the cell evolved over time. In the early days, the cell was really tiny, measuring only 1.2 metres by 2.1 metres. Bed was just a hammock and a pail served as toilet. I’m sure the prisoners treasured the time they got to spend outside their cells.
The small cell in the 1800s
It was only in 1900s that the cell size was increased by removing the wall between two cells. Electric lightning was also gradually introduced into the cells. Beds with mattresses replaced the hammock in the 1950s. In the later years, bunk beds were introduced in the cells and proper toilets were installed.
Bunk beds were introduced in the later year cells
In one particular cell, the prisoner was given special permission to paint the walls of his cell for therapeutic reasons. In the last year of the prison’s operation, prisoners were allowed to paint the cells walls as a farewell gesture.
This cell is special as its walls are full of paintings
More paintings in the cell
A painting to brighten up the dull cell
We also got to see the isolation cell for those prisoners who misbehaved. It is basically a super tiny empty room.
The double door to the isolation cell
The very small isolation cell
The last leg of the tour was to the whipping station and the execution room. Prior to entering the execution room, we were given strict instruction to be careful not to step too close. Parents with children were also advised on allowing their children into the room.
The guide demostrating how whipping was done
Last stop of the tour, the execution room
Overall, I enjoyed the tour as it was really an eye opener and informative. It definitely gave me second thoughts about committing crimes. No wonder some who had been incarcerated, came out a changed person.
For those who don’t want to join the tour, there is a small museum that they can visit and entrance is free.
An Occasional Traveller 