A couple of weeks ago we had a free weekend and we decided it was time to go check out the Fremantle Prison. We are actually in Fremantle a lot because that's the suburb by the beach! It's an area with great places to eat and cute little shops...it's only about 20 minutes away so it's very convenient!
The prison is one of the interesting tourist attractions and we had really been wanting to check it out. The prison opened in the 1850's and was actually built by the prisoners. This is the outside courtyard of the main cell block (and this picture is actually from wikipedia)
The prison closed in 1991 and after several years of debate it was made a historical site so it can never be torn down.
Our tour guide said that most of the prison was left exactly as it had been when it closed in '91. Our tour started in the room where prisoners were processed and this is what they had to wear.
After a quick trip through the (nasty!) showers...we were in the courtyard of the main cell block.
On the far side of the picture above....there is a red bricked wall & building...that is where the women's section was. Also looking at the picture above...the part of the building that shoots out is the chapel.
Then we went inside...looks like a prison!
We learned that the netting was a way to prevent suicides.
And here's a look at daily life in prison.
This is what the cells looked like...certainly not the Hilton!
And you can't see it in the picture above... but this is what the prisoner's toilet looked like.
As our tour guide pointed out...the temperature was in the mid-90's when we were there...imagine 200 buckets in that area when it was over 100 and no a/c. grroooossss!!!
Next we headed outside to see some of the yards where prisoners got outside time.
Next it was back inside to see how the cells have evolved throughout the years.
One of the very early cells.
The paintings in this cell were done by a prisoner and they allowed it because he painted for therapeutic reasons.
And then we took a trip into the chapel. On the Ten Commandment boards on either side of the cross...they actually changed the wording of the commandment that says 'Thou Shall not kill" to Thou shall not murder" since they did execute people at the prison.
Speaking of executions...our last stop was to where the executions took place. They did just over 40 executions (if I remember correctly) all were men except 1 woman.
We enjoyed the tour very much! There is actually 3 other tours that the prison has but we want to save those for when people come to visit us so we have something fun to take our guests to!
