Prison Buildings

We are currently in the process of loading content for this page.

GATEHOUSE

The Gatehouse and Entry Complex is a key historical, convict-built component of Fremantle Prison. The Gatehouse is part of the dominant facade of the Prison, with its central location on the Terrace emphasising its primacy and importance. It is highly visible on the approach to the Prison, highly intact relative to its original form and detailing, and retains its original intimidating castle-like character. Other convict-built elements of the Complex include the two Guard Rooms (now Non­-Contact Visits Room and Gift Shop), Main Gates, Wray Gates and Fire Engine Room (now Generator Room), which together created a central enclosed courtyard. Later elements include the Reception Rooms, Visitor Room (now Switch Room), and Public Works Department (PWD) store (now Café).

Historically, the Gatehouse and Entry Complex retains its purpose-built function as the main entry point into the Prison site, albeit for visitors and tourists rather than inmates. The buildings generally, despite having been adapted to a variety of uses over time, are highly intact and reveal in their fabric the history of their successive occupations.

MAIN CELL BLOCK

The building was originally constructed in two stages, with the south wing built between 1852 and mid-1855, and the north wing and Chapel from mid-1855 to 1857. The building was in continuous use as a state and colonial prison for 136 years until the closure of Fremantle Prison in 1991. Since that time, it has operated as a cultural heritage tourism site. The building remains the prominent landmark feature of the whole site that is continually conserved and interpreted as its main tourism attraction, with much of the building open to the public for supervised tours.

It retains substantial physical evidence of its convict-era construction and subsequent history as a colonial and state prison. Architecturally and aesthetically the building is remarkably intact to its original form and gains considerable strength and presence from its scale, materiality, repetitious detailing, and simplicity of expression.

FEMALE DIVISION

PRISON HOSPITAL

The Hospital is a key historical convict‑built component of Fremantle Prison, with its establishment as a freestanding building on an elevated site, in relative isolation from the remainder of the 1850s Prison, being demonstrative of its use and the perceived need to separate and segregate sick prisoners.

The hospital was built in 1857–59 and occupied until 1886, when the hospital function temporarily moved to the Main Cell Block. During this time, the hospital building was used as a female prison and as a depot for invalids. From 1904 until 1991, the building was again used as a hospital. It was previosuly leased to The Literature Centre, with accommodation for authors in residence.

The building is H‑shaped in plan and of single‑storey masonry construction. It features a wide verandah with timber posts. Architecturally and aesthetically, the building is distinguished by its relatively simple yet functional planning, with a central main ward adjoined by wings, and the use of verandahs. The garden and stepped terrace on the west side, and the stone and concrete steps on the south‑west, are also distinguishing features.

WEST WORKSHOPS

The West Workshops are a key historical component of the post‑convict era of the Prison. They were built at the turn of the century as a result of the 1899 Commission of Enquiry. Their introduction responded to a change in the treatment of prisoners and a desire to provide a form of employment and training inside the walls. They reflect a definite conscious decision to provide particular buildings to accommodate this use. Running from north to south and forming a series of repeated spaces, they originally contained a Tailor’s, Bookbinder’s, Shoemaker’s, Matmaker’s, and Painter’s Workshop.

They are constructed as an infill building behind the pre‑existing perimeter walls of Female Division to the north, the Gift Shop (former Visitors Contact Room) and Café (former Offices) to the south, and a Sterile Zone to the west. The site of the building, prior to construction, formed part of the Parade Ground. The external limestone walls conceal a prominent saw‑tooth roof structure that is also visible internally.

Presently, the southern three structural bays of the building are used for storage of collection and exhibition of curatorial items from the Prison’s history. The northern two structural bays are occupied by the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) for their kitchen, communal area, and ablution facilities.

EAST WORKSHOPS