Grafton Correctional Centre, Heritage-listed prison in Grafton, New South Wales.
Grafton Correctional Centre is a prison in Grafton, New South Wales, featuring Federation-style architecture with red brick walls, sandstone trim, and terracotta roofing across its central compound. The site contains multiple cell blocks arranged around the main courtyard, with distinct areas that once housed male and female prisoners separately.
The site was built in 1893 as Grafton Gaol and underwent significant reform following the Nagle Royal Commission investigation of 1976 to 1978. It operated in its original form until 1991, when it became Grafton Correctional Centre, continuing in that role until 2019.
This facility became part of New South Wales prison history and shaped how the state managed detention over more than a century. The separation of different prisoner groups reflects the evolving ideas about incarceration that developed over time.
Visitors can explore the layout of the compound, noting how access points and guard stations controlled movement between different sections. Walking through the various areas helps you see how a working prison was organized to manage daily operations and separate populations.
During its years of operation, inmates participated in community projects, including making durable Street Swags for people experiencing homelessness. This hands-on work revealed an unexpected way the facility contributed to the wider community beyond its primary role.
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