The Female Division – Boggo Episode 3
The Female Division – ‘Boggo’ – Episode 3
Boggo Road Gaol is remembered as a place of punishment for men. It is true…it was. But long before men were locked up in No.2 Division – the section of the prison that remains standing today –- it was a prison for women. For 100 years women were locked up at Boggo Road. Their stories largely untold and often overlooked.
The Female Division
Boggo Road Gaol is remembered as a place of punishment for men. It is true…it was. But long before men were locked up in No.2 Division – the section of the prison that remains standing today –- it was a prison for women. For 100 years women were locked up at Boggo Road. Their stories largely untold and often overlooked.
In 1898-99 the Public Works Department prepared plans for the long-argued for new women’s prison at Boggo Road. The Fortitude Valley Gaol, Toowoomba Gaol and the Roma Gaol, were old and decrepit, their facilities were simply too small or were insecure. Ultimately though, it came down to financial reasons. Repairs and extensions would have cost far more than the construction of an entirely new prison. It simply was financially more viable too, for the prisoners all to be housed in one, new, modern prison.
And so, it was, plans were drafted, and a tender sought. In September 1901 respected Brisbane builders A. Lind and Son secured the tender. It would take some £18,795 (2018 – $3 million) and two years to construct. H.M. Prison for Women was officially handed over by the construction team on the 6th of October 1903. Sixteen ladies and their wardress Sarah Browne moved in that afternoon.
Prisoners from Toowoomba Gaol were brought down to Brisbane by train, arriving at H.M. Prison for Women on the 8th of October 1903. Nineteen ladies were brought down in the charge of David Douglas McKee who will be the Senior Warder, Clerk and Storekeeper for the female division. The possessions of the ladies from Toowoomba Gaol were lost on the Toowoomba Range. They were left with nothing. The final admissions in the first two weeks of the new female prison came directly from the Police Court and the final one on the train from the Roma Gaol on the 15th of October. So, it was, Sarah had 41 prisoners in her charge.
This is just the beginning of the story of the female division at Boggo Road Gaol. Women would feature in the fabric of Boggo Road for over the next 100 years.
Experience the Prison Players on the first Sunday each month – as part of the guided History Tour, which runs 7 days, 11am daily. The actors from the Female Division branch of the Prison Players; Boggo Road Gaol’s very own theatre troupe bring the gaol to life. As visitors you will be taken back to 1907, when the female prison was only a few years old. So, why not escape the 21st century; leave behind the cars, air conditioning, electricity and modern technology. Bring along the family and show them what life was like before all of the modern conveniences and even some of the things we see as basics to everyday. You can pre-book your tickets for the first Sunday of each month here
Listen to Episode #3 of ‘Boggo’ – the official podcast for Boggo Road Gaol. In this podcast, Gaol Research Coordinator Sue and actor Karen – a member of the Female Division, a branch of Boggo Road Gaol’s official live theatre troupe “The Prison Players”, talk about this forgotten history.
Visit www.boggoroadgaol.com to book tours and events.