Berrima Correctional Centre

Infobox_Prisons
prison_name=Berrima Correctional Centre
location=Berrima, New South Wales
status=Operational
classification= Medium/Minimum (Female)cite web | year = 2006 | url = http://www.aic.gov.au/research/corrections/facilities/nsw.html | title = Correctional facilities in New South Wales | publisher = Australian Institute of Criminology | accessdate = 2006-05-10]
capacity= 75
opened=1839
closed=n/a
managed_by=New South Wales Department of Corrective Services

Berrima Correctional Centre is an Australian female prison located at Berrima, New South Wales, Australia. Berrima Gaol is the oldest gaol still in operation in Australia.

History

The gaol was built of local sandstone between 1836 and 1839. Much of the building work was done by convicts in irons.cite web | url=http://www.walkabout.com.au/locations/NSWBerrima.shtml | title=Walkabout Berrima | publisher=Fairfax Digital | accessdate=2006-05-10]

In the nineteenth century, conditions at the gaol were harsh, prisoners spent most of their days in cells and the only light was through a small grate set in the door. In 1866 the gaol was renovated to the standards described by the prison reform movement for a “model prison”. However, Berrima gaol had solitary confinement cells which measured 8 feet by 5 feet, some smaller, where it was intended that all prisoners spent one year. In 1877 a Royal Commission was held to investigate allegations of cruelty by the prison authorities but the complaints were not upheld.

One of the notable trials held in the nearby Berrima Court House was that of Lucretia Dunkley and her lover Martin Beech. Both were both hanged in 1843 for the murder of Dunkley’s husband. Lucetia Dunkley was the only woman hanged at Berrima gaol. [ [http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Berrima,_New_South_Wales Berrima, New South Wales, in www.absoluteastronomy.com] ]

In 1898, a residence for the Governor (or Superintendent) of the jail was built next door to the gaol. In the 1930s it was used as a police station. A house for the Deputy Superintendent was built on the other side of the gaol.

During World War I the army used Berrima gaol as a German Prisoner Internment Camp. Most of the 329 internees were enemy aliens from shipping companies. There were German officers from Rabaul, German New Guinea (what is now Papua New Guinea) and also sailors from the cruiser SMS|Emden|1906|6.

The gaol is now an all-female Low-Medium security prison. [cite web | author=Greg Appel | year=2003 | url=http://www.abc.net.au/radio/rpf/stories/s1296319.htm | title=Berrima Gaol From The Inside Out | format= | work=Radio National's Street Stories | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | accessdate=2006-01-30 | accessyear= ]

References