Grafton Correctional Centre

Item details


Name of item:	Grafton Correctional Centre
Other name/s:	Grafton Gaol; Grafton Jail
Type of item:	Landscape
Group/Collection:	Landscape - Cultural
Category:	Gaol/Lock-up
Location:	Lat: -29.6766467673 Long: 152.9401957150
Primary address:	170 Hoof Street, Grafton, NSW 2460
Local govt. area:	Clarence Valley
Local Aboriginal Land Council:	Grafton-Ngerrie
Hectares (approx):	4.529

Property description

Lot/Volume Code	Lot/Volume Number	Section Number	Plan/Folio Code	Plan/Folio Number
LOT	1	118	DP	758470
LOT	2	118	DP	758470
LOT	3	118	DP	758470
LOT	4	118	DP	758470
LOT	5	118	DP	758470
LOT	6	118	DP	758470

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
170 Hoof Street	Grafton	Clarence Valley			Primary Address

Owner/s

Organisation Name	Owner Category	Date Ownership Updated
Corrective Services - Department of Communities and Justice	State Government	22 Oct 98

Statement of significance:


	The Grafton Gaol complex is significant as it demonstrates the development of the philosophy regarding prison architecture in NSW and the confinement of prisoners in the late nineteenth century. It is one of few gaol complexes designed by private architects in Australia. It is one of few known examples of the work of Henry Wiltshire. It continues the features of gaol design developed by the Colonial (later Government) Architects branch. It is one of the few public buildings designed by competition in the late nineteenth century; its design utilises characteristic materials of the Federation period. Its construction is related to the growth and expansion of Grafton.
	Date significance updated: 08 Nov 00
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	Henry Wiltshire, Government Architects Branch
Builder/Maker:	Holloway Bros
Construction years:	1891-1893
Physical description:	Grafton Gaol Complex originally consisted of a square compound, with brick walls, with one elaborate gatehouse providing access for staff, visitors and prisoners alike. The gatehouse features a machicolated parapet, a sandstone archway and elaborate panelled doors. A Range building was constructed within the compound, adjacent to the gatehouse to provide facilities for the prison officers and visitors. A sterile zone separated the cell ranges from the prison walls. Male and female prisoners were completely segregated with separate cell ranges, exercise yards, bath houses and hospital facilities. The (former) male cell range is largely intact. Workshop and kitchen facilities were incorporated in a new range adjacent to the male cell block. The Prison Governor's residence (now Administration block) was located outside the compound wall, adjacent to the main gatehouse. This building features polychromatic brickwork, tuck pointing and some sandstone detailing. Brick, with a sandstone trim and terracotta tiles, all characteristic materials of the Federation period, were used throughout the complex, the level of detail depending on the function of the building.
Modifications and dates:	1942 - Government Architects Branch 1960 - Government Architects Branch The complex has been extended to one side. New watch towers have been built however elements of the original towers remain intact.


Former use:	Aboriginal land, town lot, Gaol, Correctional Centre

History

Historical notes:

The 1860s were a time of rapid progress and building in Grafton. A gaol, court house, hospital, Methodist church, Catholic church and school and a telepgraph station all opened between 1860 and 1863 (PSA, 2020, 14).

The current Grafton Gaol complex is the third gaol to be constructed to serve the town of Grafton. The second complex did not contain the required number of cells, was floodprone and unhygienic. Despite this it was subsequently converted for use by the Lands Department.

The third gaol was selected by competition. During the early 1890s, due to pressure from private architectural firms, the design of public buildings was not automatically given to the Colonial/Government Architect, Walter Liberty Vernon*. This process proved successful in the case of Grafton, but was subsequently abandoned due to difficulties with impartiality of some jurors.

The competition was won by a Sydney based architect, Henry Austin Wiltshire, who also received fourth prize. The design follows trends already evident in the gaols designed by the Colonial/Government Architects Branch.

Austin was one of 41 other entrants in the competition. He received 105 pounds in prize money. English contstruction company Holloway Bros. commenced the 2-year, 17000 pound build using mainly brick and sandstone (PSA, 2020, 14).

*Walter Liberty Vernon (1846-1914) was architect and soldier. Born in England, he ran successful practices in Hastings and London and had estimable connections in artistic and architectural circles. In 1883 he had a recurrence of bronchitic asthma and was advised to leave the damp of England. He and his wife sailed to New South Wales. Before leaving, he gained a commission to build new premesis for Merrrs David Jones and Co., in Sydney's George Street. In 1890 he was appointed Government Architect - the first to hold that title - in the newly reorganised branch of the Public Works Department. He saw his role as building 'monuments to art'. His major buildings, such as the Art Gallery of New South Wales (1904-6) are large in scale, finely wrought in sandstone, and maintaining the classical tradition. Among others are the Mitchell Wing of the State Library, Fisher Library at the University of Sydney and Central Railway Station. He also added to a number of buildings designed by his predecessors, including Customs House, the GPO and Chief Secretary's Building - with changes which did not meet with the approval of his immediate precedessor, James Barnet who, nine years after his resignation, denounced Vernon's additions in an essay and documentation of his own works. In England, Vernon had delighted his clients with buildings in the fashionable Queen Anne style. In NSW, a number of British trained architects whow were proponents of hte Arts and Crafts style joined his office and under their influence, Vernon changed his approach to suburban projects. Buildings such as the Darlinghurst First Station (Federation Free style, 1910) took on the sacale and character of their surroundings. Under Vernon's leadership, an impressive array of buildings was produced which were distinguished by interesting brickwork and careful climatic considerations, by shady verandahs, sheltered courtyards and provision for cross-flow ventilation. Examples are courthouses in Parkes (1904), Wellington (1912) and Bourke, Lands Offices in Dubbo (1897) and Orange (1904) and the Post Office in Wellington (1904)(Le Sueur, 2016, 7).

Grafton Gaol was proclaimed on 8th September 1893. The prisoners were transferred into the gaol in November 1893.

It featured a square compound, high brick walls, the Prison Governor's residence, an elaborate gatehouse with a sandstone archway and ornate panelled doors. The facility had 18 male and 7 female cells across a two-storey wing. Male and female prisoners were segregated with separate exercise yards, bath houses and hospital facilities (PSA, 2020, 14).

In 1906 John Raymond Brown was hanged for the murder of three people. This was the first and last execuation at Grafton Gaol (PSA, 2020, 14).

In 1924 Grafton became a maximum-security prison. Reports stated each officer was in charge of an average of 3.4 prisoners (PSA, 2020, 14).

In 1942 structural alterations were carried out. The gaol became the home of the state's most 'intractable' felons. A special allowance was paid to officers at Grafton to attract 'capable, tactful and robst' men (PSA, 2020, 140.

Notorious criminal and prison escape artist Darcy Dugan was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1950 and sent to Grafton Gaol. He twice tried - and failed - to escape, the most daring being the 1953 large-scale breakout attempt, with 11 other prisoners (PSA, 2020, 15).

In 1978 Justice Nagle's Royal Commission report was highly critical of the Department of Corrective Services' management of NSW prisons and the brutal practices in Grafton Gaol. The Department tried to blame the Public Sector Assocation (PSA), a claim rejected by Nagle who said the union understandably acts in members' interests. The Wran government started a period of wide-ranging prison reforms (PSA, 2020, 15).

In 1991 Grafton was reclassified from a prison to a periodic detention centre. All remaining prisoners were removed to other gaols. The renamed Grafton Correctional Centre accepted its first detainees in May 1992 (PSA, 2020, 15).

In 1996 the June Baker Centre for female inmates opened. It closed in 2011 as the O'Farrell government denied it intended to shut the facility (PSA, 2020, 15).

In 2012 the O'Farrell government closed the jail and cut 92 jobs, more than 80 per cent of the Centre's workforce. The PSA and local community fought the closure, and as a result the centre remained operational as a transitional facility for around 60 inmates (PSA, 2020, 15).

In April 2015 the PSA launched a campaign to recommission Grafton as a gaol. The PSA was concerned about the state's prison population rising to an all-time high of 11,500. In September the Baird government backflipped and re-opened the gaol, creating 30 jobs (PSA, 2020, 15). Following the success of the PSA in having Kirkconnell gaol near Bathurst reopened, on Thursday, 23 April 2015 at 11am, the PSA held a media conference in front of Grafton Gaol to publically call on the government to fully recommission the prison to alleviate the overcrowding crisis in NSW correctional facilities and provide much needed employment in the area. The PSA had raised concerns that overcrowding is heightening the risk of violence in gaols while workers compensation for Correctional Officers and others is inadequate.
PSA E-news, 20/4/15).

In 2019 the NSW government announced that Grafton will close, when the new Clarence Correctional Centre opens in 2020. The PSA acted to ensure the best possible outcome for its members (PSA, 2020, 15).

Australia's largest prison - the 1700-bed Clarence Correctional Centre - was officially opened on 25 June 2020. Inmates from Grafton and other centres around NSW began arriving on 1 July (PSA, 2020, 15).

On 17 July 2020 an official retirement (closing) ceremony was held at the front entry to the old gaol, attended by Corrective Services NSW Commissioner, Peter Severin. A lone piper led parole officers and staff of the Grafton Correctional Centre out through the gates of the gaol for the last time that day (Clarence Valley Independent, 22/7/2020). COVID-19 restrictions prevented many former staff from attending the ceremony (PSA, 2020, 15).

The former jail site, empty since August, has been offered to Clarence Valley Council for redevelopment, although Council is not in a position to take on the former site (Hourigan, 24/11/2020).

In August 2021, plans to unlock the former Gaol site were announced, with an application lodged for subdivision. Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey says government has consulted with CVCouncil, Grafton Ngerrie Local Aboriginal Land Council and other stakeholders to identify ways the site can be reused to benefit the whole community. Ms Pavey said proposed is transfer of portion of the site comprising the old Market Garden and Industrial buildings to the LALC to support better outcomes for the Aboriginal community and successfully resolve a land claim. The SE portion of the site with significant heritage items will be set aside for future adaptive reuse with heritage protections in place. All subject to planning approvals (Clarence Valley Independent, 25/8/2021).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Gardens-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Other open space-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments	Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures.	Changing the environment-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Cropping-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture	Market gardening-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	Landscapes of institutions - productive and ornamental-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences	Developing local landmarks-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences	Providing a venue for significant events-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Industry-Activities associated with the manufacture, production and distribution of goods	(none)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Building settlements, towns and cities-National Theme 4
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	Accommodating prisoners and internees-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Changing land uses - from rural to suburban-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Administering and alienating Crown lands-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Townships-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal	Suburban Centres-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	19th Century Infrastructure-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working at enforced labour-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working in the public service-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working on public infrastructure projects-
5. Working-Working	Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour	Working in the Justice System-Includes work practices and organised labour.
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	19th century government - a regional centre-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	State government-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - administration of land-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - administering the justice system-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Creating and displaying Coats of Arms and official emblems and symbols-
7. Governing-Governing	Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities.	Developing roles for government - building and operating public infrastructure-
7. Governing-Governing	Law and order-Activities associated with maintaining, promoting and implementing criminal and civil law and legal processes	The rule of law-
7. Governing-Governing	Law and order-Activities associated with maintaining, promoting and implementing criminal and civil law and legal processes	Jail-
7. Governing-Governing	Law and order-Activities associated with maintaining, promoting and implementing criminal and civil law and legal processes	Incarcerating prisoners-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Monuments-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Interior design styles and periods - 20th century Inter War-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Designing structures to emphasise their important roles-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Designing making and using coats of arms and heraldry-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Designing making and using coats of arms and heraldry-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Architectural styles and periods - Victorian (late)-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Landscaping - Federation period-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Landscaping - 20th century interwar-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Interior design styles and periods - Victorian-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Applying architectural design to industrial structures-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Interior design styles and periods - Edwardian-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	work of stonemasons-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities.	Applying architectural design to utlilitarian structures-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life	Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions.	Living in a jail or gaol-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Holloway Brothers, English building company-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life	Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups	Associations with Henry Austin Wilshire, architect-

Recommended management:


	Retain and adaptively reuse former cell block walls and former residence.

Procedures /Exemptions

Section of act	Description	Title	Comments	Action date
57(2)	Exemption to allow work	Standard Exemptions	HERITAGE ACT 1977 ORDER UNDER SECTION 57(2) TO GRANT STANDARD EXEMPTIONS FROM APPROVAL I, Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Heritage, on the recommendation of the Heritage Council of New South Wales and under section 57(2) of the Heritage Act 1977: revoke the order made on 2 June 2022 and published in the Government Gazette Number 262 of 17 June 2022; and grant an exemption from section 57(1) of the Act in respect of the engaging in or carrying out the class of activities described in clause 2 Schedule A in such circumstances specified by the relevant standards in clause 2 Schedule A and General Conditions in clause 3 Schedule A. This Order takes effect on the date it is published in the NSW Government Gazette. Dated this 29th day of October 2025 The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC Minister for Heritage For more information on standard exemptions click on the link below.	Nov 7 2025

Standard exemptions for engaging in or carrying out activities / works otherwise prohibited by section 57(1) of the Heritage Act 1977

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Heritage Act - State Heritage Register		00809	02 Apr 99	27	1546
Heritage Act - s.170 NSW State agency heritage register		009	09 Feb 95

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
Department of Corrective Services: Interim Heritage and Conservation Register	1995	009	State Projects Heritage Group		No

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Clarence Valley Independent	2021	Plans to unlock former Grafton Gaol site	View detail
Written	Helisma, Geoff	2016	'New Gaol: 'Many EIS conclusions questioned'
Written	Hourigan, Adam	2020	'Old Grafton jail site offered up for redevelopment'	View detail
Written	Le Sueur, Angela	2016	Government Architects - part 2
Written	Public Sector Association (PSA)	2020	Grafton Gaol: A Timeline	View detail
Written	State Projects Heritage Group	1995	NSW Department of Corrective Services Heritage and Conservation Register

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Heritage NSW
Database number:	5011970
File number:	H00/00298/01

Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in the State Heritage Inventory is correct. If you find any errors or omissions please send your comments to the Database Manager.

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