Fremantle Prison

Fremantle Prison is a former prison and World Heritage Site in Fremantle, Western Australia. The site includes the cellblocks, a gatehouse with two towers, perimeter walls, cottages and tunnels. Convicts sent from Britain built it from local limestone in the 1850s, and it kept holding prisoners until 1991.

It is famous as a well-preserved example of a convict-built prison and part of the story of how convicts helped build the colony. It is now a heritage site and a major tourist attraction, with its buildings kept and restored.

Convicts and prisoners

The prison was first used for convicts transported from Britain. In 1886 it was handed to the colonial government to hold local prisoners. Life was tightly controlled, and meals were eaten in the cells. Convict labour was used on public works until about 1911. Punishments such as flogging and time in irons were later replaced by longer sentences and fewer visitors or entertainments. Royal Commissions in 1898 and 1911 pushed for some reform.

Closing and visiting

In 1988 a riot broke out in which guards were taken hostage and a fire caused 1.8 million dollars of damage. The prison closed in 1991 and was replaced by Casuarina Prison. More than 40 hangings were carried out here, and it was Western Australia's only legal place of execution between 1888 and 1984. Famous escapees included Moondyne Joe. Since 1991 the site has been conserved, and visitors can tour it.

On the globe

The toy model shows the twin-towered gatehouse and the tall main cell block.