List of executions at Fremantle Prison

Other places of execution in Western Australia included the Roundhouse at Fremantle; the old and new Perth Gaols; on the island of Rottnest; at the sites of the capital offence, such as at Maddington and Norrilong, York; on the eastern end of The Causeway at Victoria Park; at Redcliffe; at Roebourne in the Pilbara; at Derby and Mount Dockerell (near Halls Creek) in the Kimberley; and at Albany and Geraldton.

Fifteen-year-old John Gavin had been found guilty of the murder of George Pollard at South Dandalup, despite the circumstantial evidence and an absence of motive.

With hangings taking place on Monday mornings, at 8:00 am, condemned prisoners were woken three hours earlier, and provided with a last meal, shower, and clean clothes.

Afterwards, handcuffed, they were moved to a holding or "condemned cell" nearby the gallows, and allowed a couple of sips of brandy to calm their nerves.

Harry Pres's final moments on 8 November 1889 were described by The West Australian as:[2]: 56 At a sign from the sheriff, the executioner pulled back the lever, and with a sickening thud the man disappeared from view.

The deceased was a small made man, and consequently a drop of about ten feet [3.0 m] was given him, and on looking below it was seen that death had been almost instantaneous, scarcely a movement being perceptible in the swaying figure, which in a few minutes became rigid and motionless as the rope ceased swaying to and fro.Initially seen as a way to intimidate the population through the application of the law,[5]: 93  executions carried out at Fremantle Prison became private matters, concealed within its walls.