writing, editing & publishing family history

  WRITING A HISTORY OF FEMALE STAFF IN NSW PRISON SERVICE

For women staff in the NSW prison service the marriage bar operated from 1861 (similar to UK) and was not lifted until the 1980s.

But, like all rules there were always exceptions. Married women (wives of gaolers) continued to be employed as matrons in country gaols until the mid 20th century, and they were appointed also to difficult to fill areas until the later years of the 19th century.

My research is looking at senior appointments only, but for those interested in women staff at a country gaol, a recent book by Pamela B Harrison, Confined but free: The female staff of Maitland Gaol in the 19th century, 2021, covers all the women employed and is a fascinating read, you can buy copies of the book from Maitland Gaol, PO Box 249, East Maitland, 02 49366482 info@maitlandgaol.com.au, see their website at: https://www.maitlandgaol.com.au/

I have found only one woman appointed to a senior position as the Assistant Superintendent at Long Bay in 1947 until June 1949 who was married. As far as I can ascertain her husband died in 1954 three years before she did. I thought that perhaps they might have separated. I can’t find a divorce and I can’t visit State Archives, where there is information, until restrictions are lifted in Sydney.

This woman had been first appointed as a warder at Bileola Gaol in 1907, and was already a Principal Warder (a senior position) before she was appointed as Superintendent and I think she was a permanent employee. Her husband had served in WW1 and WW2 although while he was training for overseas deployment for WW2 he was involved in a serious accident and suffered serious injuries to his head and he was discharged as medically unfit. I thought also perhaps he might have been an invalid and she was employed on compassionate grounds.

I hope to post again about my research. It is always a diverse and sometimes frustrating time doing research on women’s professions. Women staff in NSW Gaols has not proved any easier than much of my previous work on women teachers, nurses, midwives and women employed in Industrial and Reformatory Schools for Girls. I am in a final draft of the book with COVID providing ample time for me to sit down at the computer, ha ha..

The following images are of Maitland Gaol and of Bedford Gaol in 1820 where one of the women I am researching worked as a matron until she immigrated to NSW.