Overview

Unlock the forgotten stories of Maitland Gaol during the 2021 NSW Seniors Festival.

In recent years there has been an increased interest in researching female convicts and prisoners in New South Wales. However, little attention has been given to the female staff who supervised the inmates imprisonment.

‘Confined but Free! The Female Staff of Maitland Gaol in the 19th Century’ was written in the aim of redressing the omission felt by the forgotten women who worked in the unique environment of Maitland Gaol in the 19th century.

This book reveals chronological and documented accounts of their work and the poor working conditions of female staff during this time. While not guilty of any crime, the conditions of their employment kept them virtual prisoners within The Gaol.

Come along to hear Dr. Harrison explore the reasoning behind her research, as well as the methods used to gather this.