A minority of children
who were accommodated in the Residential Child Care facilities mentioned in Signposts may subsequently have had
experience in the prison system after their time in out-of-home-care. Those people who are interested in trying to
track down records of this contact may find the following information, which
has been adapted from the Department’s guide, “Looking West”, useful.
The State Records Office holds records from
the Gaols Department, its successor agencies and other related agencies. General information on prisons and gaols
(some of which dates back to 1830) from throughout the State can be located
through the records of these departments. The SRO also holds collections of
records that relate specifically to individual prisons – the largest collection
being that of Fremantle Prison. Records
are also held for Albany Prison, Coolgardie Gaol, Geraldton Prison, Perth Gaol
and Rottnest Native Prison. Indexes to
these collections are available in the Search room of the State Records
Office.
Further information is
available in the Prison & Gaol Records Collection Guide on our website: www.sro.wa.gov.au/collection/prison-and-gaol-records
|
Years
of operation
|
1830 to present day
|
|
Type
of service
|
State Archives Collection
|
|
Format of
records
|
Microfilm and original files
|
|
Information
in records
|
Photographs of Prisoners are
held for Fremantle Prison. Other examples of records held include, indexes to
prisoners, reports and occurrence books and Registers of Prisoners. Registers of prison inmates may contain
such information as name, nationality, place of birth, age, physical details,
marital status, religion, trade and whether they can read and write. Particulars of conviction may also be shown
including date, place, before whom, offence, sentence and remarks.
|
|
Access
|
Various access restrictions may
apply to prison and gaol records. For
assistance with accessing restricted records please consult with the staff of
the State Records Office.
|
|
Location
of records
|
State Records Office of Western Australia
Ground Floor,
Alexander Library Building
James Street West
Entrance
Perth Cultural
Centre
Perth WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9427
3360
Facsimile: (08) 9427
3368
Email: sro@sro.wa.gov.au
Opening Hours: 9:30
– 4:30 Monday – Friday
|
Note: These records were correct at the time of
printing in 2004, however, record collections are continually being updated and
increased.