Prisons of Colonial Queensland

• A Chronology of Colonial Queensland Prisons
• Within the Walls of Petrie Terrace Gaol
• 'Stone Walls do a Prison Make' (Queensland Historical Atlas)

An extensive prison system was developed in Queensland as the colonial authorities sought to impose their laws on this land, ranging from Roma to Camooweal to Thursday Island.

For many new towns, the presence of a local prison was something of a status symbol, a sign of confidence and coming prosperity and regional importance. In fact, when a new prison for south-east Queensland was being discussed in the 1850s, the residents of Ipswich lobbied hard for it to be erected within their boundaries, and were very disappointed when Petrie Terrace, Brisbane was eventually selected as the site.

In terms of numbers, the Queensland prison network peaked in the late 19th century before a programme of centralisation saw many regional prisons close. A wealth of information about those old prisons can be found within these pages.

READ MORE

• '1868 Inquiry into Queensland Prisons' (article) 
• '1887 Inquiry into Queensland Prisons' (article)
• 'Colonial Queensland Prisoners: Where Were They From?' (article) 
• 'Boab Prison Trees: Fact or Fiction?' (article) 

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