One of the most talented Public Works teams in Queensland history was responsible for the design and construction of the 1903 women's prison (now No.2 Division). From the 1890s to the 1920s they produced a substantial number of high-quality public buildings. It is likely that William P Hendry was responsible for the design of this building, and Chief Draftsman Thomas Pye had a leading role during the construction phase. The colonial government had ordered plans to be drawn up for the new prison in 1898.
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Women's prison at Boggo Road nearing completion, circa 1903. (State Library of Queensland) |
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Conjectural plan of original cellblocks in Female Division, 1903. (McKay and Gardiner) |
The prison was proclaimed on 30 September and opened on 3 October 1903.
The 1903 layout
The cellblock and workshop buildings of the new prison followed the British ‘radial’ design that was popular with many prison architects of the day. Access to each cellblock was limited to one doorway located on the end wall of the block and opening into the central hub of the complex. This design reduced the presence of blind spots or areas outside surveillance, and made prisoner movements about the prison predictable and controllable. This design was also used in other prisons, such as the one at Townsville.
Tuck-pointed brickwork
One cause of delay in the construction of the 1903 prison was the use of tuck-pointing in the brickwork. This method uses two contrasting colours of mortar and brickwork, one colour matching the bricks themselves, to give an artificial impression that very fine joints have been made. It requires great skill and is therefore expensive. Its use at Boggo Road also underlines the care and pride that the Queensland Government once took in the construction of its public buildings.