[1] The entire prison area is surrounded by 12-foot (4 m) stone walls studded with glass from broken bottles.

[2] The gaol was established in 1852[3] for imperial convicts transported to Albany as skilled labourers.

The gaol was built with rehabilitation as a key principle and served not only to house inmates but as a hiring depot.

[4] The gaol was extended in 1873 and became a public prison, with other buildings on the site being converted to housing for the town magistrates.

[6] By 1941 the goal was put up for sale by the Public Works Department as it was declared unfit for habitation.