The Goulburn Correctional Centre, (also known as The Circle) is an Australian supermaximum security

prison A prison, also known as a jail, gaol (dated, standard English, Australian, and historically in Canada), penitentiary (American English and Canadian English), detention center (or detention centre outside the US), correction center, correct ...

for males. It is located in

Goulburn Goulburn ( ) is a regional city in the Southern Tablelands of the Australian States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales, approximately south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Canberra. It was proclaimed as Australia's first ...

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

, three kilometres north-east of the central business district. The facility is operated by Corrective Services NSW, an agency of the Department of Justice, of the

Government of New South Wales The Government of New South Wales, also known as the NSW Government, is the Australian state democratic administrative authority of New South Wales. It is currently held by a coalition of the Liberal Party and the National Party. The Governm ...

. The Complex accepts prisoners charged and convicted under New South Wales and/or Commonwealth legislation and serves as a reception prison for Southern New South Wales, and, in some cases, for inmates from the

Australian Capital Territory The Australian Capital Territory (commonly abbreviated as ACT), known as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) until 1938, is a landlocked federal territory of Australia containing the national capital Canberra and some surrounding townships. ...

. The High Risk Management Centre (commonly called the SuperMax) was opened in September 2001. This was the first such facility in Australia and makes the centre the highest security prison in Australia. Supermax was completely renovated over 9 months and completed in April 2020. The current structure incorporates a massive, heritage-listed hand-carved

sandstone Sandstone is a clastic sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized (0.0625 to 2 mm) silicate grains. Sandstones comprise about 20–25% of all sedimentary rocks. Most sandstone is composed of quartz or feldspar (both silicates) ...

gate and

façade A façade () (also written facade) is generally the front part or exterior of a building. It is a loan word from the French (), which means 'frontage' or 'face'. In architecture, the façade of a building is often the most important aspect f ...

that was opened in 1884 based on designs by the Colonial Architect,

James Barnet James Johnstone Barnet, (1827 in Almericlose, Arbroath, Scotland – 16 December 1904 in Forest Lodge, Sydney, New South Wales) was the Colonial Architect for Colonial New South Wales, serving from 1862 to 1890. Early life Born the son of a ...

. The complex is listed on the

Register of the National Estate The Register of the National Estate was a heritage register that listed natural and cultural heritage places in Australia that was closed in 2007. Phasing out began in 2003, when the Australian National Heritage List and the Commonwealth Heri ...

and the

New South Wales State Heritage Register The New South Wales State Heritage Register, also known as NSW State Heritage Register, is a heritage list of places in the state of New South Wales, Australia, that are protected by New South Wales legislation, generally covered by the Herita ...

as a site of State significance.

History

Goulburn's first lock-up was built around 1830 and gallows were built as early as 1832 when floggings were common. The first Goulburn Gaol was proclaimed on 28 June 1847, attached to the local Courthouse. When the Controller of Prisons first reported to parliament in 1878 Goulburn Gaol had accommodation for 63 segregated and 127 associated prisoners, and held 66 prisoners; inclusive of one female. The plan for the new prison complex was developed in 1879 as part of a scheme to "bring the Colony from its backward position as regards to prison buildings", in J. Barnet's office under the supervision of William Coles.State Projects 1995; Kerr 1994 It was built by Frederick Lemm of

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountai ...

between 1881 and 1884 at a cost of sixty-one thousand pounds. It was formally proclaimed as a public gaol, prison and house of correction from 1 July 1884. The gaol also became a place of detention for male prisoners under sentence or transportation. The new gaol increased the capacity of the gaol to 182 separated and 546 associated prisoners. In the year ended 1884 there were a total of 295 prisoners in custody. The opening of the gaol was part of the public works boom in the town during the 1869- 6 period and boosted employment as well as local industry. In 1893 prison labour was used to build an additional 127 cells to Goulburn Gaol, six exercise yards for 'youthful offenders' and a further yard for prisoners awaiting trial. This extension enabled Goulburn gaol to operate on the principle of restricted association which was gradually being adopted throughout the Colony. The following year additional cells were erected for female prisoners. The '7th class' prisoners were moved into the former women's cells thus preventing contact between these young prisoners and serious offenders. Steam cooking facilities were installed and a chimney was erected, new workshops were planned to create one of the most complete prison complexes in NSW. Areas for agricultural cultivation were introduced in 1897-1899 and a bakery was constructed in 1916. In 1957 work commenced on a new cell block outside the walls of the gaol to accommodate prisoners employed at the agricultural area. This wing opened in 1961. During 1966-1967 a new education block and auditorium were completed.State Projects 1995 For eighty years up to the 1970s, Goulburn was the establishment within the NSW penal system with a particular role in the reformation of first time and young offenders. It had a long history of agricultural and industrial training and education and built up a strong economic and social association with the town of Goulburn. The prison was renamed the Goulburn Reformatory in 1928, and became known as the Goulburn Training Centre in 1949. In 1992 the centre was again renamed - Goulburn Correctional Centre. In 1986-1988 the first major redevelopment project was undertaken. It involved the extension of the perimeter walls to include a new industrial and sports area and the construction of a high security segregation unit.Kerr 1994: 20-21 Initially, Goulburn was one of the principal gaols in NSW. Its early prime focus was upon the first offenders where a program of employment, educational opportunities, physical education in addition to the scheme of restricted association was credited for a relatively low level of re-offending. In 2015 Goulburn attracted controversy after a prisoner who was housed in the maximum security wing escaped after he cut through a gate at the back of a small secure exercise yard attached to his cell, tied bed sheets together to scale a wall, and put a pillow around his waist to avoid being hurt by razor wire. In the same year the Minister for Corrections announced that security would be tightened following a breach when an inmate was caught with a contraband mobile phone that he used to upload pictures and text to a social media website. In late 2016 a 2-year trial of mobile phone jamming equipment at the prison was approved by the

Australian Communications and Media Authority The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is an Australian government statutory authority within the Communications portfolio. ACMA was formed on 1 July 2005 with the merger of the Australian Broadcasting Authority and the Aus ...

(ACMA); following a successful trial of jamming at the Lithgow Correctional Centre.

High-Risk Management Correctional Centre

Opened in 2001 at a cost of A$20 million, the Super Maximum facility is located within the confines of the Goulburn Correctional Centre. Initially called the High-Risk Management Unit (HRMU, also referred to by inmates as HARM-U), it was Australia's first Supermax prison since the closure of the Katingal facility at the Long Bay Correctional Centre in 1978. The facility is the most secure prison within the NSW correctional system, and the inmates are subject to very strict daily regimes, and under intense scrutiny by security. Goulburn HRMCC has received complaints by prisoners, including the lack of natural light and fresh air; access to legal books; the use of isolation and solitary confinement; limited and enclosed exercise; self-mutilation and harsh treatment. A 2008 report by the New South Wales Ombudsman explained that there is "no doubt… that the HRMU does not provide a therapeutic environment for these inmates". In spite of the security measures inside the HRMCC, in June 2011 it was reported that an unnamed inmate in the centre had allegedly smuggled a mobile phone into the unit and plotted two kidnappings and a shooting. Criminal charges were laid against the inmate and his alleged co-conspirators.

Heritage listing

The Goulburn Correctional Centre is significant for the strength of its original radial plan centred on the chapel, and the strength of the spatial relationships created by the plan. It has a close relationship with Goulburn township. Both town and institution have grown together and are economically and socially interdependent. It has a recorded association with a number of famous and infamous characters. It is also significant because of the way its continuous 110-year history of penal use is embodied in its physical fabric and documentary history.Kerr 1994: 22 Goulburn Correctional Centre was listed on the

on 2 April 1999 having satisfied the following criteria. The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales. The Goulburn Correctional Centre has a recorded association with a number of famous and infamous characters, both staff and inmates, including a Victoria Cross winner, bushrangers, larrikins, labour leaders and murderers. The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales. The Goulburn Correctional Centre is significant for the strength of its original radial plan centred on the chapel, and the strength of the spatial relationships created by the plan. It is significant for the quality, inventiveness and durability of its original masonry, the unusually fine and sturdy roof structures in the chapel and radial wings and the harmonious textures and colours of its original brick, stone, render, slate and iron work. It has a pleasant location above the junction of the Wollondilly and Mulwarree Ponds with views to the north and east. The place has strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. The Goulburn Correctional Centre has a close relationship with Goulburn township. Both town and institution have grown together and are economically and socially interdependent. Goulburn has become the major judicial and penal centre of the Southern Highlands. The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales. The Goulburn Correctional Centre is significant because of the way its continuous 110-year history of penal use is embodied in its physical fabric and documentary history. The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales. Goulburn was one of the two Maclean-inspired gaols in NSW which best incorporated all that had been learned of penal design in the nineteenth century. The other, Bathurst Correctional Complex, has lost its chapel and been substantially remodelled.

Notable prisoners

The following individuals have served all or part of their sentence at the Goulburn Correctional Centre:

References

Citations

Sources

; Attribution *

External links

Goulburn Correctional Centre webpage
– part of Corrective Services NSW *investigative report with transcript and broadband links available. *a journalist's view on spending time in Goulburn's SuperMax, at the invitation of the Commissioner of Corrective Services. {{NewSouthWalesPrisons Prisons in New South Wales Maximum security prisons in Australia Goulburn 1884 establishments in Australia James Barnet buildings New South Wales State Heritage Register New South Wales places listed on the defunct Register of the National Estate Articles incorporating text from the New South Wales State Heritage Register