The Albany Convict Gaol is one of Western Australia’s most historically significant colonial sites, offering a rare and powerful insight into the early penal history of the state. Established in 1852, it was originally constructed as a convict hiring depot, housing prisoners transported from England between 1850 and 1868. These men, known as imperial convicts, were typically skilled labourers brought to assist with building the young colony's infrastructure.

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Unlike many penal institutions of its time, the Albany Gaol was founded with the principle of rehabilitation. Once granted a ticket of leave, convicts could be hired by local settlers to perform trades and manual work, an early model of reintegration into society through structured labour. The depot included cell blocks, work areas and warders’ quarters, all enclosed within stone walls built from local granite.

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When convict transportation ceased and the hiring depot closed in 1872, the gaol was repurposed and expanded into a public prison in 1873. This transition brought several major changes, including the construction of women’s cells, a central hall, and expanded warden’s accommodations, reflecting the changing needs of the growing town of Albany.

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The architecture of the gaol remains largely intact and includes examples of early colonial construction methods and penal design. Visitors can walk through original cell blocks, view historic artefacts and explore exhibits that bring to life the harsh conditions, stories of inmates, and the broader colonial justice system.