Barton's Mill Prison first layout 1942, 2008 - 2013, courtesy of Pickering Brook Heritage Group Inc., Barton's Mill Prison Layout 1942.
Details
Barton's Mill Prison, in Pickering Brook, was established as an adult male minimum security gaol in 1942 when the Army took over the facilities at Fremantle Prison. Young male offenders were placed there during World War II in conditions that were considered by many to be inappropriate and dangerous. Barton's Mill continued as a prison until August 1973 when it became a secure facility for 'committed inebriates'. It closed on 7 July 1989.
Sexual abuse of boys at Barton's Mill Prison was alleged during a 1943 Royal Commission.
Sources used to compile this entry: 'Motion - youthful delinquents, detention conditions', in Hansard Archive 1870 to 1995, Parliament of Western Australia, 2 March 1943, https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Hansard/hansard1870to1995.nsf/83cc4ce93b5d4e0b48257b33001cfef6/29483BF24EBE599B48257A4E001118AE/$File/19430302_Council.pdf. In 1943, there were 6 ‘youthful delinquents’ imprisoned at Barton’s Mill. pp.2609, 2611.; Heritage Council of Western Australia, Barton's Mill Prison, inHerit, Western Australia State Heritage Office, Government of Western Australia, 8 February 2015, http://inherit.stateheritage.wa.gov.au/public/p/3580. pp.1, 4-5..
Prepared by: Debra Rosser
Created: 14 December 2013, Last modified: 12 November 2018
Last updated: 17 October 2023
Cite this: https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/wa/biogs/WE01283b.htm
First published by the Find & Connect Web Resource Project for the Commonwealth of Australia, 2011
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