Boggo Road Gaol

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Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Australian English Template:Infobox prison H.M. Prison Brisbane, commonly known as Boggo Road Gaol, was Queensland's main prison from the 1880s to the 1980s. By the time it closed, it had become notorious for poor conditions and rioting. Located on Annerley Road in Dutton Park, an inner southern suburb of Brisbane, it is the only surviving intact jail in Queensland that reflects penological principles of the 19th century.<ref name="chims">Template:Cite QHR</ref> After closing in 1992, the larger 1960s section was demolished, leaving the heritage listed section (built as a women's prison in 1905).

It was officially known as "Brisbane Gaol" but was commonly known as "Boggo Road" after the original name of the Annerley Road. A new street formed after 1996 now has the name Boggo Road.

History

Entrance to the jail, Template:Circa

In the 1850s, the district where the jail was subsequently located was known unofficially as "Boggo" or "Boggo Scrub", and by the late 1850s the track through the area was known as Boggo Road.<ref name=HistoricalSociety>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

It has been suggested that the name came about because the area was very boggy in wet weather. Another theory is that Boggo (or "Bloggo" or "Bolgo") was a corruption of an Aboriginal word meaning 'two leaning trees', and that the road was named after two prominent trees at either One-Mile Swamp or what is now Wilkins Street, off Annerley Road.<ref name=HistoricalSociety/> Another possibility is that Boggo Road was an unofficial and unmaintained short-cut between Ipswich Road and Stanley Street that became very boggy after rain.<ref>Vera Raymond (née Sanders), 1900–1982, resident of Annerley</ref> Boggo Road was officially renamed Annerley Road in 1903, but the colloquial name for the jail that had long been in use stayed.<ref name="deedi2" />

In 1863, land off Boggo Road was set aside as a government reserve, finally proclaimed a jail reserve in 1880.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="deedi2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The first cellblock opened on 2 July 1883,<ref name="lhbris">Template:Cite book</ref> built by Robert Porter, contained 57 cells, and was constructed using materials from the demolished Petrie Terrace Jail.<ref name="lhbris" /><ref name="ob">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1903, a new prison was built to hold female prisoners.<ref name="chims" /> This later became known as the No. 2 Division, and is now the only section still standing, and is listed on the Queensland State Heritage Register. The "No. 1 Division" built in 1883 was the scene of 42 hangings, including the hanging of Ernest Austin in 1913—the last execution in Queensland. A new prison was built around the perimeter of No. 1 prison during the 1960s and No. 1 prison was demolished leaving area for an oval and recreational facilities for the newly built prison, which had running cold water and toilet facilities in all cells. Under the oval was the facility that became known as the "black hole" where prisoners were subjected to "punishment". The "black hole" continued in use until the late 1980s. A new women's jail was also built at this time. The jail was originally designed to cater for 40 male prisoners serving as a holding place for prisoners heading to St Helena Island in Moreton Bay.<ref name="theaus">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, by 1989 there were 187 male prisoners and the women's facility had around 200 additional prisoners.

Protests at the jail during the 1970s saw inmates undertake hunger strikes, roof-top protests, and rioting over the poor conditions and treatment. The prison was constantly in the headlines and became notorious around Australia. Cells in the No. 2 prison did not have any form of sanitation, and facilities for washing were lacking.<ref name="ob"/> Prisoners were required to use a bucket through the evening for toilet breaks and empty it, or "slop out", in the morning. A Queensland Government inquiry into the living conditions of State prisons found Boggo Road to be outdated and inadequate for prisoners' needs. No. 2 Division was closed in 1989. No. 1 division was closed in 1992 and was demolished in 1996 (a small section of what was "C5" and guard tower still remain).<ref name="chims"/> The women's prison operated until 2000 and was demolished in 2006.<ref name=":0" />

Since 1992, the No. 2 Division was home to the Boggo Road Gaol Museum, which featured displays of prison-related artefacts. Throughout the 1990s, ex-officers conducted guided tours of the site, and from 2003 the museum and tours were operated by the Boggo Road Gaol Historical Society, a non-profit incorporated association of volunteers.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> From 2012 to 2020, Boggo Road Gaol was a tourist attraction with guided tours being conducted by Boggo Road Gaol Pty.<ref name="couriermail">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Like many other similar places around the country, the site also hosts guided ghost tours.

In 1993, Boggo Road Gaol hosted the concert "Jailhouse Rock", which included bands such as Divinyls, Rose Tattoo, Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs, Spy Vs Spy and Powderfinger.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Redevelopment of the surrounding site began in 2006, leading to the temporary closure of the Boggo Road Gaol historical site. Since 2012 the jail has been re-opened to the public.<ref name="couriermail"/> Boggo Road has since been turned into an urban village called Boggo Road Urban Village and was completed in 2010.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Heritage listing

The No. 2 Division and the remnants of No. 1 Division were listed on the Queensland Heritage Register in 1993.<ref>Template:Cite QHR</ref>

Notable prisoners

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Executions

42 prisoners were hanged at the Gaol.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Plaque on gallows beam used at Boggo Road Gaol
Name Year of birth Year of death Place of origin Victims
James Gardiner 1864 1883 Scotland Murder of Ada Gardiner at Rockhampton<ref name=triple>The triple execution Template:Webarchive — The Brisbane Courier. Retrieved 15 December 2014.</ref>
Jango c.1866 1883 Australia (Aboriginal) Murder of Mrs Eliza Mills at Dingo<ref name=triple/>
George 1858 1883 Australia (Aboriginal) Rape of a young girl at Rockhampton<ref name=triple/>
Walter Edward Gordon 1857 1885 England Murder of Walter Bunning on Darr River Downs station<ref name=Gordon>Execution in Brisbane Gaol Template:Webarchive — The Brisbane Courier. Retrieved 15 December 2014.</ref>
Tim Tie 1856 1886 China Murder of Jimmy Ah Fook near Dulbydilla<ref name=Tie>The Haunting Question (Template:Webarchive) — boggoroadgaol.com.au. Retrieved 16 December 2014.</ref>
Wong Tong 1857 1886 China Murder of Cock Tow at the Seaview Plantation, Bundaberg<ref>Execution at Brisbane Gaol Template:Webarchive — The Brisbane Courier. Retrieved 15 December 2014.</ref>
Christopher Pickford 1856 1887 United States Murder of Martin Emmerson at Ravenswood<ref name=Pickford>Execution of Pickford Template:Webarchive — The Brisbane Courier. Retrieved 16 December 2014.</ref>
Ellen Thompson 1846 1887 Ireland Murder of her husband William Thompson near Port Douglas<ref name=Thompson>The double execution Template:Webarchive — The Brisbane Courier. Retrieved 16 December 2014.</ref>
John Harrison 1860 1887 England Murder of William Thompson near Port Douglas<ref name=Thompson/>
Edmond Duhamel 1851 1888 France Murder of Sarah Descury at Rockhampton<ref name=Twomurderers>Two murderers hanged Template:Webarchive — The Brisbane Courier. Retrieved 16 December 2014.</ref><ref name="The Rockhampton murder">The Rockhampton murder Template:Webarchive — South Australian Register. Retrieved 16 December 2014.</ref>
Sedin 1864 1888 Java Murders of John Fitzgerald, Christian Mariager, and J. P. Davis at Normanton<ref name=Twomurderers/>
Donald c.1863 1892 Australia (Aboriginal) Rape of a married white woman<ref name=Donald>Execution in Brisbane Template:Webarchive — The Brisbane Courier. Retrieved 16 December 2014.</ref>
Francis Charles Horrocks 1875 1892 Queensland Murder of Rudolph Weissmuller at Mooraree<ref name=Horrocks>The Hemmant murder Template:Webarchive — The Brisbane Courier. Retrieved 16 December 2014.</ref>
George Gleeson 1865 1892 India Murder of Patrick McKiernan at Prince of Wales Island<ref name=Gleeson>Double execution in Brisbane Gaol Template:Webarchive — The Brisbane Courier. Retrieved 16 December 2014.</ref>
Leonard William Moncado 1850 1892 Chile Murder of Bob, an Aboriginal boy aboard the barque "Sketty Belle"<ref name=Yumpu>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

George Thomas Blantern 1858 1893 England Murder of Flora McDonald at Marlborough<ref name=Blantern>Execution of Blantern Template:Webarchive — The Brisbane Courier. Retrieved 16 December 2014.</ref>
Hatsuro Abe 1863 1894 Japan Murder of a Japanese woman named Omatzie at Thursday Island<ref name=Abe>Execution of Abbi — The Brisbane Courier. Retrieved 17 December 2014.</ref>
Mi-Orie 1866 1895 Malaita Island Murder of Francis Macartney near Bundaberg<ref name=Yumpu/>
Narasemai 1862 1895 Malaita Island Murder of Francis Macartney near Bundaberg<ref name=Yumpu/>
Sayer (Safhour) 1870 1895 Malaita Island Murder of Peter Anderson at Etowrie, near Mackay<ref name=Sayer>Execution in the Brisbane Gaol Template:Webarchive — The Brisbane Courier. Retrieved 18 December 2014.</ref>
Jacky 1864 1895 Australia (Aboriginal) Murder of Jacky Williams at Mount Morgan<ref name=two1895>Double execution Template:Webarchive — The Brisbane Courier. Retrieved 18 December 2014.</ref>
Frank Tinyana 1858 1895 Filipino Murder of Senior Constable William Conroy at Thursday Island<ref name=conroy>Named in honour of William Conroy Template:Webarchive — Queensland Water Police. Retrieved 18 December 2014.</ref>
Willie Broom 1870 1900 Australia (Aboriginal) Murder of thirteen-year-old Mary Le Blowitz at Stanton Harcourt, near Bundaberg<ref name=Yumpu/>
Charles Beckman 1859 1901 Germany Murder of Alfred Anderson at McCartney's Creek, near Bowen<ref name=Beckman>The execution of Beckman Template:Webarchive — The Brisbane Courier. Retrieved 18 December 2014.</ref>
Wandee 1881 1901 South Sea Islands Murder of Alfred Burnstead at Ayr<ref name=Yumpu/>
John Rheuben 1846 1901 Portugal Murder of Fanny Hardwick at Rockhampton<ref name=Yumpu/>
Orifough 1879 1901 South Sea Islands Murder of Morris Summers at Ashburton, near Mackay<ref name=Orifough>Execution at Boggo Road Gaol Template:Webarchive — The Brisbane Courier. Retrieved 18 December 2014.</ref>
David Alexander Brown 1846 1901 USA Murder of Graham Haygrath at Charters Towers<ref name=Yumpu/>
Patrick Kenniff 1865 1903 NSW Murder of Police Constable George Doyle at Lethbridge's Pocket near Carnarvon<ref name=Yumpu/>
Sow Too Low 1875 1903 Malaita Island Murders of Sergeant David Johnson, John Martin and Alice Gunning in the Mackay area<ref name=Low>Execution of Soo Too Low Template:Webarchive — The Brisbane Courier. Retrieved 18 December 2014.</ref>
Gosano 1870 1905 South Sea Islands Murder of Jack Parsons at Ingham<ref name=Gosano>The Ingham murder Template:Webarchive — The Brisbane Courier. Retrieved 19 December 2014.</ref>
James Warton 1845 1905 Ireland Murder of William Munday at Toowong<ref name=warton>Template:Cite news</ref>
Johannes 1867 1906 Ceylon (Sri Lanka) Murder of Police Constable Albert G. Price<ref>ROLL OF HONOUR 1904–1963 Template:Webarchive — Queensland Police. Retrieved 19 December 2014.</ref> at Mackay<ref name =double1906>Template:Cite news</ref>
Twadiga 1876 1906 Solomon Islands Murder of William Baulch at Mackay<ref name =double1906/>
Look Kow 1844 1906 China Murder of Lee Choy Yuen at Townsville<ref name=Yumpu/><ref name =kow>Template:Cite news</ref>
August Millewski 1855 1907 Germany Murder of Wallum Nabby at Nanango<ref name=millewski>Template:Cite news</ref>
Bismarck 1886 1909 Australia (Aboriginal) Murder of Mrs Janet Evitts at Jundah<ref name=bismark>Template:Cite news</ref>
Arthur Ross 1888 1909 England Murder of James Muir (Bank Clerk) at Gayndah<ref name=ross>Template:Cite news</ref>
Alexander Bradshaw 1882 1910 Queensland Murder of George Sutherland at Carron River (The charge of murder of Sutherland's wife Alice was then not proceeded with)<ref name=bradshaw>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=bradshaw1>Template:Cite news</ref>
George David Silva 1884 1912 Queensland/Ceylon Murdered six members of the Ching family at Alligator Creek<ref name=Yumpu/><ref>100 years on: Ching family massacre Template:Webarchive — Daily Mercury Retrieved 19 December 2014.</ref>
Charles Deen 1865 1913 Ceylon Murder of Peter Dina (or Dinah) at Innisfail<ref name=deen>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=deen1>Template:Cite news</ref>
Ernest Austin 1890 1913 Victoria Rape and murder of 11-year-old Ivy Mitchell at Cedar Creek Rd, Samford<ref name=austin>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=austin1>Template:Cite news</ref>

Boggo Road is mentioned in the Australian soap opera Prisoner as the prison where Joan Ferguson worked prior to coming to Melbourne. It was also visited in the season final of The Amazing Race Australia 2.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Boggo Road is also the setting for the second episode of the sixth season of the American reality show The Mole.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Australian rock band, The Chats also reference a 1989 riot at Boggo Road in the song "Boggo Breakout", within the album Get Fucked, released in 2022. Eli Bell, the protagonist of the novel and Netflix series Boy Swallows Universe breaks into the prison to visit his mother Frankie on Christmas Day. Eli and his brother Gus' babysitter Slim Halliday was notorious for his escape attempts from the prison, one of which Eli replicated, but was unsuccessful.Template:Citation needed

See also

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References

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