| Location | Bathurst, New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Status | Operational |
| Security class | Medium / Minimum |
| Capacity | 222 |
| Opened | 7 June 1888 |
| Managed by | Corrective Services NSW |
Bathurst Correctional Complex, an Australian medium secuity prison for males, is located in Bathurst, New South Wales, three kilometres west of the central business district. The facility is operated by Corrective Services NSW, an agency of the Department of Attorney General and Justice, of the Government of New South Wales. The Complex accepts felons charged and convicted under New South Wales and/or Commonwealth legislation and serves as a reception prison for Western New South Wales. A minimum-security cellblock, known as X Wing, is located outside the walls of the main part of the gaol.[1]
The current structure incorporates a massive, hand-carved sandstone gate and façade that was opened in 1888 based on designs by the colonial architect, James Barnet.[2][3] The Complex came to national prominence during the 1970s due to a series of riots by inmates protesting over living conditions.
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Correction facilities were first established in the Bathurst town centre in circa 1830, as the Bathurst Gaol,[4] adjacent to the Bathurst Court House, also designed by Barnet. As sanitary conditions at the town watch house deteriorated, a new gaol was built to Barnet's designs, and proclaimed on 7 June 1888.
The hand-carved sandstone gate at the new goal featured an ornate sculptured lion's head holding a key that is a Victorian symbol designed to impress wrongdoers with the immense power and dignity of the law. Legend has is that when the key falls from the lion's mouth, the prisoner are allowed to go free.[3] The new building which contained 308 cells and "commodious workshops" was complete and partly occupied in 1888. This was one of a number of gaols rebuilt or enlarged in this period, the purpose of which was to commence the program of 'restricted association' of prison inmates. The Governor of the Bathurst gaol reported on restricted association as follows:[4]
"The restricted treatment for male prisoners has been in vogue for the past seventeen months, and has worked in every way satisfactorily. The prisoners are more obedient, and there is a marked improvement in the discipline; several of them have on many occasions told me that they would not desire to return to the old system. On the 11th December, the new treatment was introduced into the female division, under the supervision of the Comptroller-General for Prisons everything passed off satisfactorily, and ever since has worked well. A few days afterward the whole of the prisoners, by yards (when mustered for dinner) desired me to thank the Comptroller-General for his kindness in placing them under the treatment, stating that they were grateful for the concessions allowed to them in the way of reading and light at night."
The gaol generally accommodated prisoners where they "were deemed amenable to reformative influences" up until 1970 where the gaol was reclassified as a maximum security prison.[4]
In October 1970, prisoners rebelled as a result of dissatisfaction with their living conditions. As best described by Justice John Nagle during procedings of the Nagle Royal Commission (1976–1978):[5]
"In common with all maximum security gaols built last century, Bathurst has no glass in the windows. Prisoners, who spent about eighteen hours a day in their cells, frequently had their bedding wet by rain and sleet. There was no heating in the cells despite the extreme cold experienced in Bathurst. The cells could be stifling in summer. Screens were not permitted on the windows, and the piggery operated by the gaol outside its southern wall (between towers 4 and 6) contributed to the flies and insects and all types of odorous smells which invaded the cells in summer."
Prison officials retaliated after the protests by beating and punishing prisoners, in what came to be termed the 'Bathurst Batterings'. The Department of Corrective Services conducted an inquiry. Although the officer who conducted the investigation concluded that a prima facie case existed against prison officers generally at Bathurst, this was not communicated to the Minister. The Department, and the Minister, continued to dismiss allegations of misconduct as unfounded.[5]
Larger riots in February 1974 caused A$10 million in damage, partially due to a fire started by petrol bombs as officials had failed to address earlier prison concerns. Again, referring to Justice Nagle:[5]
"Prison officers were issued with arms, and without having been so ordered, began firing on the prisoners. '.....there was an indiscriminate use of firearms, with no proper instructions given or understanding gained of when or where to use them......' The shootings were, moreover, in direct contravention of instructions sent from departmental headquarters."
As a result of this and problems at other correctional facilities, Justice Nagle was appointed to conduct a Royal Commission to oversee reforms to the Australian penal system.[6]
Between 1992 and 1993, the name of Bathurst Gaol was re-named as Bathurst Correctional Centre.[4]
The Bathurst Correctional Complex is located on the corner of Browning Street and Brookmore Avenue, Bathurst, NSW 2795.