Goulburn Correctional Centre
Main entrance to the Complex, opened in 1884, designed by the Colonial Architect. James Barnet.
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| Location | Goulburn, New South Wales |
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| Coordinates | 34°44′29″S 149°44′26″E / 34.74139°S 149.74056°ECoordinates: 34°44′29″S 149°44′26″E / 34.74139°S 149.74056°E |
| Status | Operational |
| Security class | Super Maximum, Maximum, and Minimum (Males only) |
| Opened | 1 July 1884 |
| Former name | Goulburn Gaol (1847 – 1928) Goulburn Reformatory (1928 – 1949) Goulburn Training Centre (1949 – 1993) Goulburn Correctional Centre (1993 – present) |
| Managed by | Corrective Services NSW |
The Goulburn Correctional Centre, an Australian super-maximum, maximum, and minimum security prison for males, is located in Goulburn, New South Wales, three kilometres north-east of the central business district. The facility is operated by Corrective Services NSW, an agency of the Department of Attorney General and Justice, of the Government of New South Wales. The Complex accepts prisoners charged and convicted under New South Wales and/or Commonwealth legislation and serves as a reception prison for Southern New South Wales, and, in some cases, for inmates from the Australian Capital Territory.
The current structure incorporates a massive, hand-carved sandstone gate and façade (pictured above right) that was opened in 1884 based on designs by the Colonial Architect, James Barnet. The High Risk Management Centre (commonly called the SuperMax) was opened in September 2001. This was the first such facility in Australia and makes the Centre the highest security prison in Australia.
Goulburn's first lock-up was built around 1830 and gallows were built as early as 1832 when floggings were common. The first Goulburn Gaol was proclaimed on 28 June 1847, attached to the local Courthouse. When the Controller of Prisons first reported to parliament in 1878 Goulburn Gaol had accommodation for 63 segregated and 127 associated prisoners, and held 66 prisoners; inclusive of one female.
New premises were in the process of erection in 1881 as part of a scheme to 'bring the Colony from its backward position as regards to prison buildings'. The building called and known by the name of the New Gaol at Goulburn on the current site was proclaimed as a Public Gaol, Prison and House of Correction from 1 July 1884. The gaol also became a place of detention for male prisoners under sentence or transportation. The new gaol increased the capacity of the gaol to 182 separated and 546 associated prisoners. In the year ended 1884 there were a total of 295 prisoners in custody. In 1893 prison labour was used to build an additional 127 cells to Goulburn Gaol, six exercise yards for 'youthful offenders' and a further yard for prisoners awaiting trial. This extension enabled Goulburn gaol to operate on the principle of restricted association which was gradually being adopted throughout the Colony. The following year additional cells were erected for female prisoners. The '7th class' prisoners were moved into the former women's cells thus preventing contact between these young prisoners and serious offenders. Steam cooking facilities were installed and a 70-foot (21 m) chimney was erected, new workshops were planned to create one of the most complete prison complexes in NSW.
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