I N T E R P R E T AT I O N M A N A G E M E N T P L A N 2 0 2 2

FREMANTLE PRISON

Acknowledgement of Country
The Department of Planning, Lands andHeritage acknowledges the Whadjuk
people, as the traditional custodians ofWalyalup, the land on which Fremantle
Prison is located. The Department pays
respect to Elders past and present, and allWestern Australian Aboriginal communities.

Above: John Pat Memorial outside No.8 The Terrace.

ii

Cover image: True Crime panels, East Workshops.
Executive Summary • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

Executive Summary
Interpretation is a critical component of heritage conservation. An Interpretation
Management Plan provides a holistic strategy that takes all factors of a site into
account to ensure best practice heritage interpretation is achieved.
Fremantle Prison is recognised on theWorld Heritage List (as part of a serial listing),
the National Heritage List and the Western
Australian State Register of Heritage Places.
Each listing carries different requirements andheritage values. As a national award winningcultural heritage attraction, it welcomes adiverse range of visitors to the site, withequally diverse expectations and motivations.
The Fremantle Prison Interpretation
Management Plan (IMP) ensures a balanced
approach to promoting an understanding of
the multiple layers of heritage values to thisbroad audience.
The IMP has been developed withconsideration to other guiding documents
within the Fremantle Prison heritage
management framework, and specificallyaddresses a number of recommendations
from the Fremantle Prison Heritage
Management Plan 2019 (HMP).
The IMP provides an interpretive vision forthe site and makes recommendations on
the content, research, design, development,
conservation and ongoing managementof sustainable interpretation programs. It
examines this site’s history and its heritage
assets (built fabric, collections and histories),
assesses current and potential site visitation
and reviews existing tours and interpretive
works.

Importantly, this IMP defines five key themes
to consider the rich interweaving histories
that were created, impacted and resonatedthroughout the Prison. These are:
• Theme 1: Convictism• Theme 2: Punishment and reform• Theme 3: People’s experiences• Theme 4: Built environment• Theme 5: Living history.
The IMP will ensure these themes are
expressed in a holistic way and areconsistently applied across site interpretive
programs, projects and strategies.
The IMP includes policies to guide futureinterpretive actions, with five priority actions
identified. These are:
1. Deliver a thematic approach tointerpretation, based on the fiveidentified key themes.
2. Conduct audience research.
3. Generate and manage knowledge.
4. Complete Interpretation Management
Strategies for specific areas andprojects:– Prison perimeter and beyond– Gatehouse entrance– Interior– Online.
5. Review and monitor interpretive
activities.
The IMP will be reviewed every five years.

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Executive Summary

iii

1.

III

INTRODUCTION

6Interpretation

7

Interpretation at Fremantle Prison

8

Objectives

11

Policies

12

Heritage management framework

14

Authorship

15

Acknowledgements

15

Glossary of abbreviations

15

2.

THEMES

16

3.

BRIEF HISTORY

21

4.

AUDIENCE

24

Current audience

25

Audience research

25

KNOWLEDGE GENERATION

26

Research

28

Oral history program

29

Data management system

29

REVIEW AND MONITOR

30

Current interpretation review

31

Feedback

37

5.

6.

7.

INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENTSTRATEGIES
38Interpretation priority

39

IMS template

40

Potential interpretive devices

41

8.

PROJECT SUMMARY	

49

9.

BIBLIOGRAPHY	

50

10. APPENDIX	

52

CONTENTSEXECUTIVE SUMMARY	

Left: Stairs leading to the Hospital from Special Handling Unit alley.

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Contentsv

INTRODUCTION

1

6Above: Series of three signs on Fairbairn Ramp interpreting heritage significance.

Interpretation
Interpretation encompasses all potential activities intended to heighten publicawareness, inspire appreciation and enhance understanding of the heritage valuesof a place.
Interpretation highlights why a place isheritage listed and conserved by sharing
values of the site. As such, interpretation is a
key aspect of the management of a heritage
place.

“…the work of revealing, to such visitors
as desire the service, something of thebeauty and wonder, the inspiration andspiritual meaning that lie behind what thevisitor can with their senses perceive”
			(Tilden 1957)

The International Council on Monuments andSites (ICOMOS) Charter for the Interpretation
and Presentation of Cultural Heritage Sites
sets out seven principal objectives forinterpretation:
1. Facilitate understanding andappreciation of cultural heritage sites
and foster public awareness andengagement in the need for theirprotection and conservation.
2. Communicate the meaning of cultural
heritage sites to a range of audiences
through careful, documented recognitionof significance, through acceptedscientific and scholarly methods as well
as from living cultural traditions.
3. Safeguard the tangible and intangible
values of cultural heritage sites in theirnatural and cultural settings and social
contexts.

4. Respect the authenticity of cultural
heritage sites, by communicating thesignificance of their historic fabric andcultural values and protecting themfrom the adverse impact of intrusive
interpretive infrastructure, visitor
pressure, inaccurate or inappropriate
interpretation.
5. Contribute to the sustainable
conservation of cultural heritage sites,
through promoting public understandingof, and participation in, ongoingconservation efforts, ensuring longterm maintenance of the interpretive
infrastructure and regular review of its
interpretive contents.
6. Encourage inclusiveness in theinterpretation of cultural heritage
sites, by facilitating the involvementof stakeholders and associatedcommunities in the development
and implementation of interpretive
programmes.
7. Develop technical and professionalguidelines for heritage interpretation andpresentation, including technologies,
research, and training. Such guidelines
must be appropriate and sustainable intheir social contexts.
The development and delivery of interpretive
activities and programs at Fremantle Prison
is informed by, and aims to be consistent
with, the above objectives.

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Introduction

7

Above: Convict Depot exhibition.

Interpretation at Fremantle Prison
The purpose of the Fremantle Prison Interpretation Management Plan 2022 is to explore
ways in which the significance and history of the site’s built fabric, collections, intangible
heritage and landscape can be communicated to audiences whilst retaining authenticity.
Fremantle Prison has a range of heritage
values, recognised on local, State, Nationaland World Heritage registers. Fremantle
Prison, as a member site of the AustralianConvict Sites World Heritage Property (ACS),
contributes to the Outstanding Universal
Value (OUV) of the ACS.
Not all of Fremantle Prison’s heritage values
are recognised on all heritage registers.
For example, the site’s heritage values
associated with its post-Second World
War modern history are recognised on
the City of Fremantle Heritage List andthe State Register of Heritage Places(Western Australia), but not on the National
Heritage List (Australia) or the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List.
On the other hand, the site’s heritage values
associated with its convict era history arerecognised on all of these heritage registers.

8

The management (including conservation andinterpretation) of Fremantle Prison’s heritage
significance needs to account for all of theplace’s heritage values and to ensure thatno aspects of cultural significance are overemphasised at the expense of others. The
Fremantle Prison Interpretation Management
Plan’s thematic approach to interpretation
recognises all aspects of the site’s cultural
significance.
Fremantle Prison is significant to different
people for different reasons. Fremantle
Prison ceased operation as a place of State
incarceration in 1991 and the experienceof Fremantle Prison continues in the living
memory of many people. This includes
former prisoners, former prison officers
and other employees, victims of crime,
and the families and communities of thesepeople. Fremantle Prison was a place ofIndigenous incarceration, a place of juvenile
incarceration, and a place where women
were imprisoned. These different groupsof people have different associations with
Fremantle Prison.

Introduction • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

Above: Contemporary signage showing tours and departure times.

Fremantle Prison was experienced differently
by staff, visitors and prisoners. There is no
single narrative for the site and the different
and difficult histories will be offered to visitors
in multiple perspectives, allowing the visitor
to navigate their personal meaning from all
the different ways Fremantle Prison has been
experienced. As increasing empathy can leadto tolerance and solidarity (Gonzales 2020),
there is an opportunity for Fremantle Prison
to explore colonisation and its impact on
Aboriginal people with over representationin prisons.
Because Fremantle Prison is significant
to different people for different reasons,its audience is varied. Visitors include
local visitors (some with living memory ofoperational history), former employees andprisoners, international and interstate visitorswith little prior site knowledge, historians andheritage practitioners, commercial tenants,
school students and social groups.

Such a diverse audience demands that theinterpretive program be multi-layered toaccommodate different levels of interest,
education and understanding. In response,
this plan recommends interpretation througha variety of media – including but not limited
to object displays, static images and text
panels, interpretive artworks, dynamic
multimedia displays, soundscapes, multisensory, guided tours, audio guides indifferent languages, public programs andprinted material – to explore the place’s
history and stimulate interest amongst all
visitors.
Profiling current and potential future
audiences will inform learning styles,
motivations and expectations of thoseengaging with interpretive experiences,
and assist in planning future strategies.

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Introduction

9

Study area
The IMP focuses on the 6.295 hectare Fremantle Prison site which is bounded by The Terrace,
Fothergill Street, Knutsford Street and Hampton Road in the City of Fremantle. It also makes
reference to the ramp of Fairbairn Street.
Fremantle Prison is an asset of the State of Western Australia, vested in the Minister for Heritage
for the purpose of ‘conservation and management of historic buildings and ancillary beneficial
uses thereto’. The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage manage the Prison on behalfof the Minister for Heritage. The 6.295 hectare Fremantle Prison site is part of the original 16
hectare Convict Grant, as per the City of Fremantle’s West End Heritage Policy.

Knutsford Str

eet

The TeHampton R

rrace

oad

Fairbairn Str

eet

Fothergill Street

not to scale
Figure 1. Map showing Fremantle Prison within the City of Fremantle.

10

Introduction • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

Above: The Terrace.

Objectives
Interpretation at Fremantle Prison aims to convey histories of the site summarised by theoverarching thematic statement:
The history of Fremantle Prison reflects the impact of colonisation on Aboriginal land andpeoples, transportation of a convict work force to establish a colony, concepts of punishment
and reform – both dispensed and experienced – during its 136-year operational life, all in aunique architectural landscape that has significant social meaning to many.
The following outcomes are sought through the implementation of the IMP. Interpretation atFremantle Prison:

1
2
3
4
5

Preserves the site’s cultural heritage
value and its authenticity.
Communicates the historic andsocial significance of the place andits cultural heritage values.
Presents accurate information thatlinks directly to one or more of thefive interpretive themes described.
Is of an international standard andencourages engagement.
Is accurate, innovative, accessible,
provocative, respectful, informedby human rights and social justiceprinciples, sustainable and reversible.

6

Caters to all learning styles and isaccessible to multiple audiences,including intrastate, interstate andinternational visitors, adults andchildren, people with disabilities,
and visitors for whom English is
not their first language.

7
8

Encourages further engagementwith Fremantle Prison’s histories.
Creates and strengthens linkages
with related local, national andinternational historic sites.

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Introduction

11

Policies
To ensure sustainable future interpretation, the following policies have been developed.

FREMANTLE PRISON INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN POLICIESPolicy 1 Cultural significanceInterpretation to reflect and communicate the cultural significance and the historic and social
heritage values of Fremantle Prison.
Policy 2 Themes
Convey cultural significance of Fremantle Prison through five themes:• Theme 1: Convictism• Theme 2: Punishment and reform• Theme 3: People’s experience• Theme 4: Built environment• Theme 5: Living history.

Policy 3 Interpretation Management Strategies
Interpretation Management Strategies to guide all interpretation decisions, based on definedareas in the Prison precinct.
Policy 4 Audience research
Research and respond to audience behaviour including learning style, expectations andmotivations to deliver high quality and authentic interpretation to diverse audiences.
Policy 5 General researchInterpretive content to be accurate. Underpin interpretation with extensive research of diverse
sources.
Policy 6 Best practice heritage
Interpretation to be sustainable (in relation to maintenance, evaluation and review), reversible(in relation to heritage fabric), acknowledge cultural protocols and sensitivities, and be
appropriate to the area.
Policy 7 Audiences
Interpretive content to accommodate and engage multiple audiences, including intrastate,interstate and international visitors, adults and children, and visitors for whom English is nottheir first language.
Policy 8 Accessibility
Interpretation to be accessible to people with disabilities.
Policy 9 Innovation
Interpretation to be creative and provocative.
Policy 10 Human rights
Interpretation of Fremantle Prison’s history to be dignified and respectful of the stories ofFremantle Prison’s prisoners and officers and victims of crime, and informed by human rights
and social justice principles.
Policy 11 Relationships
Interpretation to refer to, create and strengthen linkages with related local, national andinternational historic sites.

12

Introduction • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

These policies align with recommendations from the Master Plan 2019-2029 (MP) andthe Heritage Management Plan 2019, as shown in the table below. For more detail, refer tothe relevant documents.
IMP Policy

IMP
Relevant IMP
Objective section

Policy 1
Culturalsignificance1

Introduction

2

Themes

Policy 2
Themes3

Policy 3
Interpretation
Management
Strategies

MP objective

HMP
policy5 Enthral with spectacularinterpretation

58
62
85
87

Themes5 Enthral with spectacularinterpretation

58
62
85
87

3

Interpretation
Management
Strategies

5 Enthral with spectacularinterpretation

37
58
63
84

Policy 4
Audience
research

4

Audience

2 Care for visitors

61
85

Policy 5
Generalresearch

5

Policy 6
Best practiceheritage

5Interpretation

7

Management
Strategies

Policy 7
Audiences

4

Policy 8
Accessibility

6

Policy 9Innovation

4

Policy 10
Human rights

Policy 11
Relationships

3

6

5 Enthral with spectacularinterpretation
Knowledge
generation

5 Enthral with spectacularinterpretation
7 Invite partnerships andinnovation

6

5

5

7 Invite partnerships andinnovation

Interpretation
Management
Strategies

2 Care for visitors

Interpretation
Management
Strategies

2 Care for visitors

Interpretation
Management
Strategies

5 Enthral with spectacularinterpretation

Introduction

5 Enthral with spectacularinterpretation

Interpretation
Management
Strategies
85 Enthral with spectacularinterpretation

Introduction
Interpretation
Management
Strategies

5 Enthral with spectacularinterpretation

36
39
85
62
85
87
61
85
83

5 Enthral with spectacularinterpretation
83

7 Invite partnerships andinnovation
62

7 Invite partnerships andinnovation
5 Enthral with spectacularinterpretation

83

7 Invite partnerships andinnovation

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Introduction

13Heritage management framework
The IMP is a key element in the Fremantle
Prison heritage management framework.
The preparation of this document is a priority
objective outlined in the HMP, especiallyregarding ‘Telling the story’.
Recommendations in this IMP have been
prepared taking into consideration otherguiding documents within the Fremantle
Prison heritage management framework.
Where conflicts occur between future
use and conservation, conservationconsiderations outlined in the HMP will
always take priority.
The IMP sits below the HMP, alongside, andcomplementary to, other second tier policy
documents such as the Aboriginal Heritage
Management Plan (currently in draft), theAccessibility and Inclusion Plan 2022,

Archaeological Management Plan 2021, theCollection Policy 2019, and the LandscapeManagement Plan 2021, see Figure 2.
The IMP provides broad interpretive concepts
and approaches, projects and programs
that will be further detailed in a series of
supporting Interpretation Management
Strategies (IMSs).
The development of this IMP has also
been influenced by the Fremantle Prison
Master Plan 2019-2029, the UNESCO
Nara Document on Authenticity 1994
that describes values of authenticity andintegrity, as well as the Heritage Council ofWestern Australia’s guide on interpretation(see Bibliography for more details).

HE R I TA G E M A N A G E M E N T P L A N
Master Plan

Collection
PolicyInterpretation
Management
Plan

ArchaeologicalManagement
Plan

LandscapeManagement
Plan

Aboriginal
Heritage
Management
Plan

Accessibility &Inclusion
Plan
UNESCO
ValuesConservation
Management
Strategies

Interpretation
Management
Strategies

ArchaeologicalManagement
Strategies

LandscapeManagement
Strategies

Aboriginal
Heritage
Projects

Figure 2. Heritage management framework.

14

Introduction • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

Above: 2 Division, Main Cell Block.

AuthorshipThis IMP was prepared by the Heritage
Interpretation Officer (Dr Oonagh Quigley)
with input provided by the wider Heritage
Conservation Branch as well as Tour Guides
and Visitor Services staff at Fremantle Prison.

Acknowledgements
This document has greatly benefitted fromstakeholder feedback provided by staff
from Aboriginal Engagement (Departmentof the Premier and Cabinet); AustralianConvict Sites; Education, Employment
and Transitional Services (Department ofJustice); Heritage Development (Department
of Planning, Lands and Heritage); Rottnest
Island Authority and Volunteer Heritage
Guides (Roundhouse).

Glossary ofabbreviations
ACS
EPBC
Act
HMP
IMP
IMS

Australian Convict Sites
Environment Protection andBiodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Heritage Management Plan
Interpretation Management Plan
Interpretation Management
StrategyMP
Master PlanNHL
National Heritage List
OUV
Outstanding Universal Value
SOS
Statement of Significance
SOUVStatement of Outstanding
Universal Value
SRHP
State Register of Heritage Places
UNESCO United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Introduction

15

THEMES2

16

Above: Gatehouse and Main Cell Block.

Themes allow content to be organised for clear communication. Themes capture thecultural value of built heritage as well as the importance of movable and intangible
heritage.
Fremantle Prison’s historic and cultural values
are numerous and varied, and relate to built
fabric, objects, artworks and oral histories inFremantle Prison Collection, and intangible
and associative values and community
connections. In order to take this variety into
account, all the values ascribed under local,
State, National and World Heritage listings
and the Fremantle Prison Collection Policy
2019 were reviewed and categorised into
five overarching themes:• Theme 1: Convictism• Theme 2: Punishment and reform• Theme 3: People’s experiences• Theme 4: Built environment• Theme 5: Living history.
Each of the five overarching themes
described below link directly to either the:World Heritage List – Statement of
Outstanding Universal Value (WHL-SOUV)National Heritage List – Statementof Significance (NHL-SOS)
State Register of Heritage Places(Western Australia) – Statementof Significance (SRHP-SOS)The Australian Convict Sites constitute an
outstanding example of the way in whichconventional forced labour and national
prison systems were transformed, in major
European nations in the eighteenth andnineteenth centuries, into a system ofdeportation and forced labour forming partof the British Empire’s vast colonial project.
Within the colonial system establishedin Australia, the convict settlements
simultaneously led to the Aboriginal
population being forced back into theless fertile hinterland, and to the creationof a significant source of population ofEuropean origin. (WHL-SOUV)
Fremantle Prison is a major componentof the British convict system constructedin Australia. The system is an example ofa nineteenth century European colonial
strategy of exporting prisoners andusing their labour to establish a colonial
economy. In Australia, this strategy
impacted on early colonial development
and on the overall Australian psyche.
(NHL-SOS)

The prison is the outstanding symbol ofthe period in which Western Australia wasdeveloping using convict labour.
(SRHP-SOS)

Sub-themes are expanded upon in the
Appendix.

THEME 1: CONVICTISM
The cultural and physical landscape ofWestern Australia was irrevocably changedby the effects of colonisation, particularly
through convictism and the transportation ofconvicts by the British Empire. First Nation
peoples were displaced from their different
Countries, convicts were exiled from their
homeland and a new community was built
by indentured labourers. The repercussionsof this historical phenomenon still impact
Australian identity today.

Sub-themes• Impact on pre-convict world• Transportation of convicts• Building a colony

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Themes

17THEME 2: PUNISHMENTAND REFORM

THEME 3: PEOPLE’S
EXPERIENCE

The concepts of punishment and/or
rehabilitation in prisons were enforced
through the physical environment andchanged over time as the site transitioned toa modern prison. Changes were influenced
by the social and political climate, as well as
the personal attitudes of the Superintendent
and/or Comptroller-General (head of theConvict Establishment).

The lived experience of being in the Prison
when it was operational comes from multiple
perspectives including staff, visitors andprisoners. Each prisoner’s experience wasdifferent and would have varied whether
they were men, women, Aboriginal, nonAboriginal, juveniles or World War Twointernees, or according to their crime, health,sentence length, sexuality or profession.

The property shows the various forms
that the convict settlements took,
closely reflecting the discussions andbeliefs about the punishment of crimein eighteenth and nineteenth century
Europe, both in terms of its exemplarity
and the harshness of the punishment
used as a deterrent, and of the aim ofsocial rehabilitation through labour anddiscipline. (WHL-SOUV)

They illustrate an active phase in theoccupation of colonial lands to thedetriment of the Aboriginal peoples,
and the process of creating a colonial
population of European origin throughthe dialectic of punishment andtransportation followed by forced labourand social rehabilitation to the eventualsocial integration of convicts as settlers.
(WHL-SOUV)The British colonial penal system, evident
in post-1788 Australia, is demonstrated
at Fremantle Prison. London’s Pentonvilleprison, one of the first model prisonserected between 1840 and 1842, wasbased on changes in British penal
philosophy which advocated reform
rather than punishment. The design of
the Main Cell Block at Fremantle Prison
was adapted from Jebb’s design atPentonville. (NHL-SOS)

It demonstrates aspects of the systemand the conditions in which convicts
lived. The place allows the closest
observation of the conditions in which
many convicts served out their sentencesin the nineteenth century. (NHL-SOS)

Sub-themes• Penal philosophy• Punishment enforced• Reform offered

Sub-themes• Male prisoners• Female prisoners• War time use• Protest• Comparisons to other prisons• Staff.

• Implementation through fabric.

18

Themes • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

THEME 4: BUILTENVIRONMENTTHEME 5: LIVINGHISTORY

Fremantle Prison is a highly intact andauthentic architectural ensemble and culturallandscape related to the convict experience inAustralia and the transformation of an Imperial
convict system into a modern Australianprison system. The prison buildings, structuresand spaces, to a high degree, relate to thechanging philosophies of punishment andreform through the nineteenth and twentiethcenturies, as well as to the economic andenvironmental conditions of Western Australia.

The way in which the site is understood,
researched and conserved is continually
evolving. For example, living history manifests
through people’s perspectives and personalconnections to the place as a functional
prison (whether former prisoners, former
staff, family members or descendants) or
as a heritage site (local residents, heritage
practitioners, tourists). This collective living
memory of Fremantle Prison contributes tosocial value, community engagement anda strong sense of local community value.
This theme also relates to the new waysthat are emerging on how to consider thesite, including expanding historical narratives
or using technology to realise researchpotentials.

The sites illustrate the different types ofconvict settlement organized to serve
the colonial development project bymeans of buildings, ports, infrastructure,
the extraction of resources, etc. They
illustrate the living conditions of theconvicts, who were condemned totransportation far from their homes,
deprived of freedom, and subjected toforced labour. (WHL-SOUV)
Fremantle Prison is an exceptionally intact
architectural ensemble due to years ofcontinuous use as a prison. Fremantle
Prison contains major surviving physicalevidence of an imperial convict public
works establishment and of its adaptation
for subsequent colonial (1886) and stateuse. (NHL-SOS)The establishment is the most intact
such complex in Australia. The austere
and monumental quality of the longest
and tallest cell range in Australia set in a
precinct characterised by a homogeneityof form, materials, texture and colour
make it a landmark feature of Fremantle.
(SRHP-SOS)For Australians broadly, particularly thoseof Anglo-Celtic background, Fremantle
Prison is a place to reconnect with theircolonial roots, real or imagined, and reflect
on the meanings of the past. For some,the search for early family associations
and identity has led to Fremantle Prison
and the rediscovery of personal links withconvictism. (NHL-SOS)The place has outstanding heritage
value to the nation because of theplace’s potential to yield informationthat will contribute to an understandingof Australia’s natural or cultural history.
(NHL-SOS)

Sub-themes• Historic and philosophical influences• Spaces of punishment, surveillance,
reform and administration• Technical achievements• Rarity• Adaptation and change.
FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Themes19Fremantle Prison touches the livesof thousands of Western Australians
through links with convict ancestors,
connections with wartime prisoners
from the armed forces and wartime
ethnic internees, and the immediate pastprisoners and their relatives, particularly
the large numbers of Aboriginal men
and women imprisoned in the twentiethcentury. Fremantle Prison has also astrong connection for the relatives andfamilies of those in positions of authority
at the prison. (SRHP-SOS)The prison in its present form also
demonstrates with some precision
the facilities, conditions and attitudes
prevailing in a major Western Australia
prison – an experience rarely available
to the public and made more immediateby the retention of graffiti, murals, signs,
notices and recent evidence of use.
(SRHP-SOS)
Sub-themes• People who interacted with the place
as a functional prison• People who interact with the place
as a heritage site
• Conservation• Future research potential.
Summary
A theme is a statement that unites different
strands of information, and uses an idea
or a concept as a way of understanding aplace (Carter 2001: 23). These themes havebeen derived from all the values that relate
to Fremantle Prison. There are overlapping
strands in the histories of Fremantle Prison,and therefore the themes overlap also. For
example the expression of punishment andreform (Theme 2) in architecture resulted
in the built environment (Theme 4) that
influenced people’s experience (Theme 3).
As Fremantle Prison is so multilayered,
the themes are not mutually exclusive but
interweave.

20

The five themes form a chronologicalnarrative. Starting from the establishmentof the Prison through convictism and its
impact on the pre-colonial landscape to howpunishment and reform was exercised andencountered and the experiences of peopleon site when it was operational; continuing
to how the architecture reflects convictism
and punishment and reform philosophies inthe built fabric. The temporal continuation of
the narrative into living history highlights thecontemporary social values attributed to thesite by different groups as well as the site’s
research potential and what it can reveal.
The presence of a chronological narrativealigns with the HMP advice regarding
National Heritage List values. One example isthe NHL value that Fremantle Prison’s history
reflects the changes in Australian and British
views about the use of forced labour as abasis for British Empire expansion. The HMP
argues:Fremantle Prison was not a static
environment. Those parts that illustrate
the evolution of the Prison system areimportant. Therefore the continued effectsof colonisation (i.e. beyond the time periodof 1850-1886) are examined, for example
the impact on Aboriginal people.
Consistent with this is the five themesconcisely described in the statement:
The history of Fremantle Prison reflects
the impact of colonisation on Aboriginalland and peoples, transportation of aconvict work force to establish a colony,concepts of punishment and reform –both dispensed and experienced –during its 136-year operational life, allin a unique architectural landscape thathas significant social meaning to many.

Themes • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

3

Above: Archaeology finds in Convict Depot exhibition.

BRIEF HISTORY

The following historical summary of Fremantle Prison incorporates informationfrom various sources compiled for the local, State, National and World Heritage
listings as well as previous reports and historical images. This summary islargely based on information in the HMP, but expands further to discussprominent dates and periods in history where significant changes took effectat the site and also to align to how archaeological time periods are categorised.
The periods are more nuanced than those in the Fremantle Prison Collection
Significance Assessment 2018 (Convict Era (1850-1885), Colonial Era(1886-1901), Early Twentieth Century (1902-1946), Late Twentieth Century(1947-1991)). This history also includes a post closure time period as actions
taken since have had an impact on the site, as will future actions.

21

Right:The Rainbow Serpent andSpirit Children (detail), cell E30,
4 Division - 1991, Peter Cameron.

1886 Control of Fremantle
Prison is transferred toWestern Australian Colonial
Government.
1888 Prisoners are relocatedfrom Perth Gaol to Fremantle
Prison. Gallows are built at the
Prison; a tunnels system forwater supply is constructed.

Pre Colonisation
The Whadjuk people havebeen the custodians ofWalyalup (Fremantle) for tensof thousands of years.

1889 Female Division(Women’s Prison) is
constructed north-west of site.

Colonial Pre-Convict Era(1829 – 1849)

1898 A Royal Commission isundertaken into the operationof the penal system.

Establishment of
Swan River Colony.
Planning of Convict
Establishment.

1829

Prison Colonial Era(1886 – 1901)

1849

1886

The Convict Era(1849 – 1886)

Federation and
WWI Era (1901 – 1918)

1849 Colony of Western Australia
is declared a penal colony.

1900s West Workshops constructed
in 1900–1901; alterations are madeto Main Cell Block and Exercise
Yards. New Division with radial
exercise yard is constructed
north-east of site.

1850 First ship, carrying 75 maleconvicts and 50 Pensioner Guards
and families, arrived in Fremantle.
Elevated site for permanent Convict
Establishment is selected.
1851–53 Construction of the southern wing of
the Main Cell Block, Terrace residences, and
the Warders’ Cottages begins.
East Workshops are constructed.

1902 First teacher appointed,
George William Ward.
1911 A Royal Commission into
Fremantle Prison results in theimplementation of additional reforms.

1857–59 Guard room, Hospital andCarpenter Shop are constructed.
Northern wing of Main Cell Block is completed.
1859 Fremantle Convict Establishment isofficially opened on 31 December.
1867 Fremantle Convict Establishment isrenamed Fremantle Prison.
1868 Transportation of convicts to Western
Australia officially ceases. Nearly 10,000
convicts were transported to the colony.

22

1900s

Brief History • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

Inter-War and
WWII Era (1918 – 1945)
1920 A portion of the Prison is set
aside as a reformatory prison.
1940–45 A part of the Prison is
occupied by the Department of
Defence during World War Two, andis returned to civil use after the war.

Post-1945 A variety of structures
constructed on and below
South Knoll terraces.
1964 The last legal execution takes
place in Western Australia with thehanging of Eric Edgar Cooke.
1968 Prisoners riot over conditions.
Post-War Era(1945 – 1970)

1945

1992 Fremantle
Prison opens to
the public as a
museum and cultural
attraction.
1992 Municipal Inventoryof Heritage Places – City ofFremantle is prepared,
Fremantle Prison placed on it.
1994 John Pat Memorial installedoutside No.8 The Terrace.
Post Closure Era

1970s

1990s

Today

Modern Era(1970 – 1991)
1970 Inmates of Female Division and staff
transferred to Bandyup Women’sTraining Centre. Female Division buildings
become part of the now all-male Prison.
1972 Royal Commission into various
allegations of assaults on or brutality toprisoners in Fremantle Prison and of
discrimination against Aboriginal prisoners.
1979 Fremantle Prison Museum opens,
located at No. 16 The Terrace.
1987–1991 Royal Commission into
Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
1988 A major fire occurs in theMain Cell Block during a riot at the Prison.
1991 Fremantle Prison is closed as apenal institution and prisoners aretransferred to other prisons.
Left: Photograph of damage
to the Main Cell Block from1988 fire, Fremantle Prison
Collection.

Heritage Site
1995 Registered in State
Register of Heritage
Places – Heritage
Council of Western
Australia.
2005 Listed on
National Heritage
List – AustralianGovernment.
2010 Inscribed on
World Heritage List
(Australian Convict Sites
Serial Listing) – UNESCO.
2017 Winner AustralianTourism Awards –Cultural Tourism.

1829 – 2022

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Brief History

23

AUDIENCE

4

24

Above: Panels that list other Australian Convict Sites and World Heritage listing details, Gatehouse area.

Awareness of the audience make-up, expectations and learning styles will inform whichinterpretive devices are most appropriate.
All priority actions described in the Fremantle Prison Master Plan 2019-2029 include interpretive
considerations. Increased knowledge of current and potential future audience profiles will inform
what interpretive devices will be most effective.

Current audience

Audience researchPrior to the COVID-19 global pandemic
in 2020, Fremantle Prison welcomed
approximately 200,000 visitors per year:
intrastate (average 44%); interstate (average21%); and international (average 35%).

In order to discover audience make-up
and what interpretive approaches are mostappropriate for different spaces and types ofvisitors, audience awareness beyond theirpoint of origin is required to determine:

Visitor feedback is gathered from visitor
surveys on site. Online comments andreviews are assessed daily. Visitor satisfactionlevels to the site are high. In 2018-19,
feedback from 968 respondents, showed:• the profiles of current visitor types(age, interests, knowledge, preferredlanguage, spending power, presenceof any barriers to visiting (physical,
sensory, intellectual, emotional or
financial) time available, solo or group
visitor, preconceptions, misconceptions,previous experiences of site, knowledgeof site histories);• 94% had an excellent/very goodexperience;• 97% would recommend to others; and• 96% indicated their experience met or
exceeded their expectations.
Visitor motivation of a national market
audience (Australian) was investigated in
the 2019 report by Initiative Media, Hello.
Fremantle Prison – Market Evaluation. Somevisitors wished to experience local culture/
history and travel to become more openminded and knowledgeable, which suggeststhat heritage is a major attraction for some
visitors. Visitors were interested in escapestories, convict era history and stories
associated with specific prisoners.

• expectations and preferred learning
styles (visual, auditory, verbal, or
kinaesthetic);• response to current interpretation;• response to proposed futureinterpretation; and• potential future audience profiles that
may be interested in Prison experiences
based on proposed interpretation.
Knowledge provided through audience
research will inform future interpretation.

Additionally, visitors were more likely to visit
the site due to its World Heritage status.
A further outcome of this study was that
visitors to the site wanted free experiences.
There is an opportunity to draw on thisaudience segment by creating curiositywith online content or interpretive strategies
outside the Prison perimeter or in the freedisplay areas in the Prison Gatehouse area.

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Audience

25

KNOWLEDGE GENERATION

526

A major requirement of all interpretation is a sound research basis of material.
More research, increased collection of oral histories from multiple perspectives,and improved data management systems will support enhanced interpretationof the five themes.
The HMP outlines the following relating to ‘Keeping a Record’:
POLICY 36
Fremantle Prison will continue to support and encourage broad-ranging research into thehistory of the Prison, as a means of enhancing Prison management and interpretation.

Above: Contact/Non-Contact exhibition27

Research
A key avenue to generate further knowledge
includes archive based research of material
located in different areas, ranging from
Western Australia to archives and collectionsin other states in Australia and othercountries such as Ireland and Great Britain.
Different archives have legislation aroundwhat records can be accessed so that aseach year passes, new material is madeavailable. There is complexity of legislation
over access to medical records, military
records or prisoner records.
In 2019 and 2020, most of the Fremantle
Prison archives were digitised and madeavailable to staff and researchers. However,given historical storage practices, it ispossible that not all of the archival material
available on site has been digitised nororganised in an easily accessible andsearchable format.
New findings from the site also add to siteknowledge. For example, discoveries througharchaeological finds (see ArchaeologicalManagement Plan 2021 for more detail)and conservation works. New knowledge
is also gained from objects being donatedto collection. The objects themselves andthe attached stories contribute to ourunderstanding of Fremantle Prison.
Additionally, inviting specialists such asconservators and historians, or former
prisoners and officers, to speak about
different aspects of Fremantle Prison to staff
contributes to a better understanding of thesite histories.

Research avenues to be explored:• New findings from the site – includingarchaeological finds and how buildings
were treated/used as discovered
through conservation works• Invite interviewees on a recorded walkthrough buildings• Fremantle Hospital Museum archives,
record of convict labour, hospital
admissions of prisoners• Fremantle Library local history archives• Fremantle Studies and other local history
societies• Rottnest Island/Wadjemup historicalarchives• Royal Perth Hospital Museum archive,
hospital admissions of prisoners• Art Gallery of WA, James Walsh materialand convict era images for context• Local history museums where convict
depots were located• Roman Catholic Archbishop of Perth,records relating to convicts• State Records Office of WA• State Library of WA• Western Australia Police Historical
Society Inc.
• Department of Justice• Trove – historic newspapers• National Archives of Australia• Department of Defence, relating towhen the Prison was under different
management during World War Two• Colonial office in the UK (Records of
the Colonial Office, Commonwealth andForeign and Commonwealth Offices,
Empire Marketing Board and relatedbodies)• Online platforms that gather
information from different sites,
e.g. Wadjemup — The Land Beyond
the Shore project and the the Digital
Panopticon project.

28

Knowledge Generation • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

Above: Carrolup style artwork in cell B45, 3 Division, Main Cell Block.

Oral history
programData management
systemGiven the increasing age of people with a
lived experience of the Prison as a maximum
security institution, priority focus must be
given to the immediate resourcing of acomprehensive oral history program. The
program should include videography for
future interpretive use.

An awareness of emerging technologies
will be maintained to continue to improveknowledge around collection processes,
preservation systems, accessibility andusability.

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Knowledge Generation

29

REVIEW AND MONITOR

630

Above: Guided Tour.

Ongoing reviews are fundamental to a well maintained interpretive program. A focus
on continuous improvement, with awareness of current best practices and new design
innovations, will ensure the continued delivery of world class interpretive experiences.

Current interpretation review
A review of current interpretation strategies
and whether they explore the five themes
was conducted. This will inform future IMSs.
As the five themes have only been defined forthe purposes of this IMP, there are a numberof gaps.

Interior

The following summary of Fremantle Prison’s
current interpretive experiences is presented
based on location and how the interpretive
content is accessed. See Figure 3 for thethree areas described (Prison perimeter andbeyond, Gatehouse entrance and Interior).

Gatehouse entrance

Prison perimeter and beyond

Figure 3: Fremantle Prison areas for purposes of interpretation planning.

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Review and Monitor

31

PERIMETER AND BEYONDGATEHOUSE ENTRY AREA

This area extends around the site and into
the City of Fremantle. A portion of thisspace is owned by Fremantle Prison, withlocal government, other State Government
agencies and private entities owning thebroader area of the original Convict Grant.

This encompasses the area in the Gatehouse
Complex that is currently free for visitors, withaccess limited to opening hours.

Interpretation in these areas is free to accessand can be accessed at all times.

Internal signage
Gatehouse Entry Complex• Panels that interpret the Prison’s history
through previous uses of the buildings in
the immediate area

The Landscape Management Plan 2021
offers strategies to continue interpretationof the Prison into the City of Fremantle – toreinstate the character of the convict precinct
and create a strong sense of arrival to theplace. Some guidance is also provided in theCity of Fremantle West End Conservation
Area Local Planning Policy.
External signage
There are many different signs locatedaround the site in different formatting styles
depending on the date of their installation.
The different signage mostly relates toheritage interpretation and includes:• Series of three signs on Fairbairn Ramp
– interpreting heritage significance• Depiction of convict work party on
Fairbairn Ramp
• Australian Convict Sites sign on The
Terrace – interprets World Heritage serial
listing• Terrace Panels – interprets Terrace
buildings• John Pat Memorial – commemorates
John Pat’s death in 1983 in Roebourne
and the Royal Commission into Deathsin Custody.

32

This area includes exhibitions, the café,
gift shop and visitor amenities.

• Panels that interpret previous
conservation projects• Panels that list other Australian Convict
Sites and World Heritage listing details• ‘Don’t sit on the toilet’ convict themed
signs• Prisoner Mug Shot panel• Tour information, timing and costs.
Exhibitions
All exhibitions in the Gatehouse area can beaccessed for free by visitors.
• The Contact/Non-Contact exhibition
illustrates the contemporary historyof the Prison, including 1991 video
footage of the Prison site. It re-creates aperson visiting a prisoner on site, either
behind a barrier (Non-Contact Visits) orwithout a barrier (Contact Visits). Thereis also a display case of objects from
Fremantle Prison Collection. There is
text interpretation about the operational
history of the Prison.
• The Convict Depot exhibition isdedicated to the site’s convict story,
and includes interactive displays, asearchable database of all convicts
transported to the Swan River Colony,archaeological material and replicas.
There is text interpretation throughout
the exhibition.

Review and Monitor • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

• The Visible Storage Facility is a means
to showcase best museum practice aswell as offer an opportunity for visitors
to view objects in storage (as the
majority of objects in the collection are instorage). The Visible Storage Facility is
divided into two rooms, Visible Storage
Room 1 and Visible Storage Room 2,
coming off a central corridor. A variety ofmaterial can be seen through the large
windows and there is text interpretation
for several objects. The areas allow
visitors to view collection items thatare not part of an exhibition. At times,
curatorial staff working on the collection
can be observed.
• The Front Gallery and Side Gallery
house temporary exhibitions, temporary
defined as per Fremantle Prison
Collection Policy 2019.
• The Gallery space features quarterly
contemporary prisoner art exhibitions,curated by the Department of Justice.
These exhibitions are called ‘Insider Art’.

INTERIORThis encompasses the area beyond the
Wray Gates. Guided tours (as well as somefunctions and events) are the only way toaccess the site past the Wray Gates andthere is a fee. All tours are guided due to thenature of the site and which ensures visitors
are safe and avoids negative impacts tofabric such as graffiti. Access is limited to theoperational hours of the Prison.
There are currently five guided tours (Convict
Prison, Behind Bars, True Crime, Tunnels andTorchlight) which run regularly at Fremantle
Prison (see Figure 4). The five tours examine
different histories and visit different areas andbuildings of the site, complementing eachother whilst also allowing for variety between
the products. There are also occasional
bespoke tours for specific community groups
or private tour groups. All tours are led bytrained Tour Guides or specialist staff. The
tours are given in Auslan, English, French,
German, Japanese, Mandarin and Korean.

Tours• The Convict Prison Tour explores thehistory of Fremantle Prison from its
construction in the 1850s until theend of the convict era in 1886. Areas
covered include Parade Ground,
Main Cell Block locations (1 Division
ground floor, Library/Association Ward,
Anglian Chapel, 3 Division E/F landing,
Moondyne Joe cell, Catholic Chapel,
Refractory Block and Flogging Post).
• The Behind Bars Tour explores
Fremantle Prison’s history as a
maximum security prison from 1887
to 1991, and examines different typesof prisoners and their routines. Areas
covered include Reception, Parade
Ground, Shower Block (exterior only),
Main Cell Block locations (Kitchens, 1
Division Yard, 2 Division Yard, 2 Division
ground floor, Gallows, 3 Division groundfloor, 4 Division ground floor, Crown
Theatre), New Division, Female Division
and Parade Ground.
• The True Crime Tour explores real life
stories of some of the Prison’s mostnotorious prisoners (from convict torecent times) and how their crimes
gripped the community. Areas that canbe covered (different to other tours inthat Guides can choose from a rangeof choices) include Parade Ground,South Bank, East Workshops, East
Bank, Female Division, Hospital, East
Workshops, Main Cell Block (4 Divisionand yard), New Division, Watch Tower
No. 1 and Watch Tower No. 6.
• The Tunnels Tour explores the creationof an elaborate network of tunnels
excavated to supply Fremantle Prison
and the City of Fremantle with potablewater. Areas covered include theParade Ground, Pumphouse (in East
Workshops) and parts of the tunnels.
The Tunnels Tour includes a display inthe tunnels area which is only accessible
by being on the tour.

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Review and Monitor

33• The Torchlight Tour explores the darker
side of Fremantle Prison’s history –stories of loneliness, pain and suffering,of executions gone wrong, of theinnocent unjustly imprisoned and theguilty punished. Areas covered include
Reception, Parade Ground, Main Cell
Block locations (1 Division, Kitchen, 1
Division Yard, 2 Division, Section 43 (Cell57), Flogging Post, Refractory Block,
Gallows, 3 Division and 4 Division andwhen accessible the Morgue).
• Bespoke tours have focused on
women’s experiences, prisoner andconvict art tours, Aboriginal incarceration(noting the development of an Aboriginal
Heritage Management Plan will expand
on this) and behind the scenes of
the collection. These are typically run
in relation to an event, for example
International Women’s Day, International
Museum Day or the National Trust
Heritage Festival. Themes and areas
covered in tours range according to
the topic of the tour. Bespoke tours
can also be offered as part of functions
and events.
Interior: displays
Main Cell Block• 1 Division: cell reconstruction• 2 Division: barber shop reconstruction• 3 Division: cell reconstructions in a timeline• Catholic Chapel: interpretive panels• Administration wing: officereconstructions.
Reception• Objects and office reconstruction.
Tunnels• Objects.

Interior: signage
In addition to interpretation signage there aresigns from when the Prison was operational
as well as directional and occupational healthand safety signs.
East Workshops• Interpretive panels relating toTrue Crime Tour.
Female Division• Seven reproduced pages from
Prisoner Registers of female prisoners(sourced from State Records Office).
Main Cell Block• 1 Division: conditions relating to convict(1850-1886) era experience• 2 Division: schedule relating to prisoner
experience• 3 Division: reproduction of photographafter 1988 riot
• 3 Division: Panels that explain the
different cell sizes and their changes
through time, with re-created cells.
New Division• Interpretive panels relating toTrue Crime Tour.
Tunnels• Relating to tunnels system.
Interior: soundscape and audio visual
Main Cell Block• Crown Theatre – visual projection ofoperational Prison footage from 1991
• Kitchen – soundscape.
Tunnels• Video covering history of tunnels andsafety features of tour.

ONLINE – DIGITALThis includes material from the Fremantle
Prison Website and the Fremantle Prison
Facebook page and Instagram account.

34

Review and Monitor • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

E
B

P
F

A
N
L

H
M

G

J
C

I
R

O

Q

K

D

N

N
Convict Prison Tour
route

Behind Bars Tourroute

True Crime Tour
route

A

East BankJ

Perimeter Walls

B

East Workshops

K

Reception

C

Female Division

L

Refractory BlockD

The Gatehouse & Entry Complex

M

Shower BlockE

Hampton Road ReserveN

The Terrace

F

HospitalO

Watch Tower No. 1

GMain Cell BlockP

Watch Tower No. 6

H

New Division

Q

West Workshops

I

Parade GroundR

Wray Gates

Torchlight Tourroute

Figure 4. Current tour routes and locations visited.

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Review and Monitor

35

The review also considered how Fremantle Prison performs against other prison museums/
attractions in WA, Australia and internationally (see table below). In comparison to other prison
museums, Fremantle Prison’s tour program is performing well. Interpretive products which
Fremantle Prison is not currently offering include podcasts, virtual tours, immersive tours, sensory
tours, self-guided tours and paranormal focused tours. These gaps will be examined in each IMS.
Australian Convict
Sites

Brickenden-Woolmers Estates, Tasmania
Cascades Female Factory, Tasmania
Coal Mines Historic Site, Tasmania
Cockatoo Island Convict Station, New South Wales
Darlington Probation Station, Tasmania
Hyde Park Barracks, New South Wales
Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area, Norfolk Island
Old Government House and Domain (Parramatta), New South WalesOld Great North Road, New South WalesPort Arthur Historic Site, Tasmania

Other prisons(local)Roundhouse

Other prisons(WA wide)

Albany Convict Depot/Albany Convict Gaol and Museum

Rottnest Island/Wadjemup
Cossack Townsite Precinct
Dorre and Bernier Island Lock Hospitals
Old Police Lockup & Boab Tree, Broome
Roebourne
Toodyay Convict Depot/Newcastle Gaol Precinct
York Convict Depot

Convict built in WA

Fremantle Arts Centre
Perth Town Hall

Other prisons(Australia)

Adelaide Gaol, South Australia
Boggo Road Gaol, Queensland
Maitland Gaol, New South Wales
Old Melbourne Gaol, Victoria

International(prison related)

Alcatraz, USA
Cayenne, French Guiana
Coiba Island, Panama
Eastern State Penitentiary, USA
Holloway Prison, UK
Kilmainham Gaol, IrelandPeterhead Prison Museum, Scotland
Robben Island, South Africa

36

Review and Monitor • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

Above: Guided tour outside Watch Tower No. 4.

Feedback
Fremantle Prison collects feedback throughelectronic visitor surveys, and manages
social media engagements and commentary
to maintain a keen awareness of visitor
responses to the products offered. Feedback
can also be received through direct phone
calls and emails. These feedback monitoring
systems will be maintained.
Tour Guides interact with visitors daily.
Suggestions from Guides were gathered inconsultation workshops.
During the tour, Guides wish to:• Provoke the visitor, make them feelexcited, engaged, curious and have their
imagination piqued• Provide secret/little known information
about the site, as well as share general
history

After the tour, the desire is for visitors to:• Continue to engage in different ways,
for example, research their convict
past, volunteer in cultural heritageorganisations, and/or do something in
relation to social activism and justice• Come back for another tour
• Recommend a visit to others• Engage with social media• Visit other sites related to Fremantle
Prison locally as well as other AustralianConvict Sites.
Donations and memberships are not currently
possible within government framework, butwere suggested by Guides.

• Manage services on tour, including
accessibility, toilets and water access• Enable access to information in different
languages (audio guides)• Link with other prison sites, convict built
sites and historical sites.

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Review and Monitor

37

INTERPRETATIONMANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

7

38Interpretation Management Strategies will underpin all interpretation
activities. Each IMS will detail actions specific to an area or project.
Each IMS will be reviewed every five years. Future reviews will consider
refreshing activities and experiences to maintain appeal to the significant local
market. When contemplating the entire area of the original Convict Grant froman interpretation perspective, consideration is given to who owns, manages andmaintains the land, and how each space is used and accessed. In this way the
space can be defined for the purposes of a detailed IMS into the following three‘zones’ and online (see Figure 3 for location of zones). Each IMS will determine
the appropriate themes, and weighting of each, in each space.
• Prison perimeter and beyond (free, accessible all times)• Gatehouse entrance (free, accessible during opening hours only)• Interior (requires payment, accessible during opening hours only)• Online (free, accessible all times).

Above: tour group and Main Cell Block.

Interpretation priority
Any changes to the current suite ofinterpretive experiences based on reviews
and/or feedback, will require decisions. The
HMP avoids the application of a universal‘rule’ for decision-making, but rather advisesthat conservation management decisions,
including interpretive activities, will need tobe made on a case-by-case basis, balancing
co-existing heritage values.
The HMP argues that the convict era is ofgreatest significance as it contributes to the
OUV that is linked to the World Heritage
Listing. The HMP also maintains that theappropriate management of Fremantle Prison
demands a holistic approach to conservation.
The strength of interpretation is when it
is in context. If a building is conserved
and material removed to another site (forexample put on display), the material can beinterpreted but it is no longer in its originalcontext and the interpretive potential of thematerial is lessened. Therefore, a more ideal
outcome is for buildings to be conserved andfor the fabric to have remnants/signifiers ofprevious use which will demonstrate in situ
the ways people interacted with the building
and purposes the building served.
If interpretation is considered at the sametime as conservation, a more ideal outcome
will occur. While the two are different, they
are intertwined. The IMP is primarily focusedon interpretation with conservation taken
into account. However, for conservation
matters, the HMP and relevant Conservation
Management Strategies should be consulted.

Condition refers to the amount of workrequired to improve the state of the material
under consideration. It does not dictate what
is to be conserved or not conserved.
The impact on surrounding fabric means
any action taken can either have an impact,
or not have an impact, on the surrounding
fabric. One action can have both positive andnegative impacts on fabric, depending on
what is under discussion. An impact is one
that removes fabric or allows it to degrade.
No impact does not remove or expose
material to degradation and leaves fabric inplace.
Rarity is considered in the context of theFremantle Prison site. If there is more than
one interpretation option possible andone is rare while the other is not, then therare interpretative purpose is the more
appropriate option. This factor allows forcontext to be included in discussions. An
example of something that has more than
one interpretation purpose is the Library in
1 Division, Main Cell Block. It could be used
to interpret a former use as an Association
Ward or to retain the space as the Library.
The area behind the Catholic Chapel in
4 Division, Main Cell Block could also beinterpreted as an Association Ward. However
the Library as it was in 1991 cannot beinterpreted elsewhere. Therefore it is a more
appropriate option to interpret the area in 1
Division as the Library and not an Association
Ward.

Factors to be considered to guide discussion
to support decision making and balance
potentially competing interpretive purposes
are condition, impact on surrounding
fabric and rarity. If there is conflict overinterpretation options, these factors will bedissected as part of the purpose section in
the Interpretation Management Strategy.

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Interpretation Management Strategies

39

IMS template
Each IMS will address five core considerations:1

PurposeThe intention is to communicate thefive themes. All five themes will betouched upon in all areas to varying
degrees. To ensure an holistic approachand that deliberation has gone into
actions that could result in a particulartheme/s being obscured, consider theinterpretation factors:• condition• impact on surrounding fabric• rarity.

2
3

4

40

Target audience
All IMS will be cognisant of current
audiences, while including initiatives toappeal to new and different visitors. This
will be informed by audience research.

Desired outcome
The overall result of interpretation
initiatives will be increased awarenessof a site that was built by convicts
and adapted to a State prison, andthat colonisation changed the culturaland physical landscape of Western
Australia. Individual IMSs will include
different desired outcomes for different
areas. Knowledge generation andmanagement will support the continual
improvement of outcomes delivered.

Location
Describe the physical boundaries ofthe specific Interpretation Management
Strategy.

5

Devices
All future interpretive devices will consider:• Accessibility (see Fremantle Prison
Accessibility and Inclusion Plan
2022 for further detail)• Logistics, including insurance,
security, and maintenance/life span.
The interpretive devices, where possible
and appropriate, will be made fromrobust material and secure elementsthat will require minimal ongoingsupervision and maintenance. Devices
will be made in accordance withmaterials palette (as recommended fromLandscape Management Plan 2021).
It is envisaged that routine generalcleaning of signage, showcases andexhibitions and other works will be
carried out by the Grounds Keepers
and cleaning contractors. Handlingand cleaning of any objects fromthe collection must only be done by
the Curatorial team. Repairs to built
fabric must only be done following
consultation with the Heritage
Conservation team and undertakenby skilled heritage tradespersons. It
is also noted that Tour Guides often
report any issues they see on their
tour route. Devices which will belocated in outdoor public spaces mayneed periodic replacement due to theeffects of UV exposure, vandalism
and accidental damage. Regularinspection of interpretive works will be
conducted on a 6-monthly basis by the
Heritage Conservation team to review
signage condition, object conservation
conditions and security, lighting andmultimedia operation. Aspects such as
renewal schedule, insurance, security,
maintenance, cleaning and checks will
be documented.

Interpretation Management Strategies • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

Potential interpretive devices
The exact mechanism of interpretation will be described in detail in separate IMSs.
Broad desired outcomes for each area and possible interpretive devices are listed
below. These potential devices will be adapted with innovative new technology as
it emerges.
PRISON PERIMETER AND BEYOND
Visitors with a distance to cover to the Prison will be offered interpretation that outlines theuniqueness of the site and motivates visitors to come to site (as they will either be in the City ofFremantle area or online and will not be near the interior). The majority of interpretation will focus
on the approach to the main entrance but the surroundings will also be considered. The aim forinterpretation is to create curiosity and be slightly informative in a way to provide foundation forstories that will be heard in more detail when the visitor is experiencing the Prison interior. Online
material could offer an opportunity to showcase objects. Interpretation will also aim to invite visitors
to a site with architecture that was purposely designed to be imposing.
The perimeter will tie the site into the bigger story of colonisation and the other convict andheritage sites in the immediate Fremantle area and beyond.
The area outside the Prison will provide a space for reflection, potentially with a memorial garden
inviting visitors to decompress after their experience and for people to be aware of trauma of
imprisonment and impact of colonisation.
Approach to the Prison
The landscape around Fremantle Prison haschanged. How the Convict Establishment
would have been approached by convicts
and Pensioner Guards is different toprisoners, and again different today forvisitors to a heritage site. To inform visitorsof the Convict Grant area and encourage
their journey to the Prison from the City ofFremantle, the Prison will partner with theCity of Fremantle to develop a materials
palette within the Convict Establishment
boundary. The development of thesurrounding City of Fremantle, including car
parks and trees, has impacted significant
sightlines of the Prison. Re-establishing
the connection of the current Prison site
to the Convict Grant area and making theapproach to the Prison more impactful could
be achieved with lighting, plantings and otherlandscape interpretation. All actions to alignwith Landscape Management Plan 2021
recommendations for area.

Reflection area
The Fremantle Prison Master Plan 20192029 recommends a contemplative walkand reflective garden spaces. As outlined in
the Landscape Management Plan 2021, thiswill most likely be along the Knutsford Street
ramp embankment, adjacent to the existing
Deaths in Custody memorial. Elementsof the walk could be audio recordings, orscent trails that continue in the interior,or endemic vegetation all of which could
explore the Aboriginal perspective of life prior
to colonisation (dependent on Aboriginal
Heritage Management Plan outcomes).
Signage
To address new interpretive outcomes andpurposes, new signage will be introduced
around the perimeter. Signage could beinterpretive or text based. Signage to beinstalled at accessible heights with legible
font and potentially in braille. A signage suite
will be considered.

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Interpretation Management Strategies

41

Tactile sitemap
The interior of Fremantle Prison is only visible
from inside the prison, or a few locations onhigher ground outside the walls. A tactile site
map outside the Prison would allow visitors
to envisage what the site looks like. It could
be outside so people can interact with it even
if the Prison is closed. In order not to repeat
other map/model interpretative devices
proposed for other areas, the model would
be of buildings currently standing. This would
encourage people to continue to do a tour
and engage with the site. A tactile site map
provides a physical understanding of spaces,
useful for people who cannot immediately
sense the expanse of what is inside, and thetactile element would be useful for visitors
who are blind or have vision impairments.
The map could indicate how the site of the
Prison relates to the Convict Grant area andcould be made from natural materials (e.g.
limestone or grass).

42

Perimeter/back of Prison
There is a variety of potential audiencesthat pass the Prison on Hampton Road.
Interpretation will be considered to enticepassers-by to visit in addition to referring tohistories of the site.
The referring to histories could take the formof a site specific trail. For example, escapes
occurred near Hampton Road and signage
could be installed alluding to this and otherevents. The archaeological remnants of theformer 1851 Warders’ Quarters (excavatedin 1989) could also be interpreted in thegrass or on walls. Lighting could be used to
mimic search lights and/or a figure escaping,
bring attention to the Watch Towers or fordifferent interpretation aims. As well as beingof interpretive value the lighting offers safety,
as there is a duty of care if people are being
invited to walk around the site. The duty ofcare could also include shelters for weather
extremes of heat or rain. The tunnels extend
out to Hampton Road; possible interpretive
devices could be a gravel path throughgreen areas that articulates the network oftunnels underneath and/or interpretation on
the road that articulates network of tunnels
underneath. With all potential interpretation,
it is necessary to take into account thehierarchy of information offered for speed ofpeople passing by, whether in cars, cycling or
walking.

Interpretation Management Strategies • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

GATEHOUSE ENTRANCEThe entrance area will continue to encourage curiosity and pique interest in the visitor. There
will be a focus on sensory questions to entice visitors to want to step inside the interior andwalk the same corridors as convicts, prisoners and guards. Visitors’ senses will be primed,imagination excited and visitors will be inspired to explore the site with a paid tour.
The entrance area will be similar to the perimeter in which themes will be interpreted, however
there will be a focus on which objects/physical material can be used in entrance area.
Interpretation will provide a way in to concepts such as convictism and punishment and reform,
with objects on display and give context and foundation to interior interpretation. Visitors’
attitudes on colonisation and punishment will also be interrogated.
Acknowledgment of Country
To recognise the impact of colonisation andensure visitors are aware the Prison is on
Whadjuk Country, an Acknowledgment ofCountry will be placed in the entrance area.
It could be an interpretive element in the
ground and will be done in collaboration
with stakeholders as a part of the Aboriginal
Heritage Management Plan.
Wayfinding signage for entrance area
Wayfinding is necessary to ensure visitors
are aware of location of toilets, amenities,
exhibitions, and also situate the visitor to
how the Prison links with other sites. A tiered
sign could use one pole with the lowest
arrows indicating location of facilities in the
Gatehouse area, next tier Fremantle area
prison/convict related site, next tier convict
sites in WA and top tier Australian Convict
Sites. The tiers and colours could differentiate
between the type of information offered.
The signage needs to align with accessibility
requirements and the Fremantle Prison
Accessibility and Inclusion Plan.

Exhibitions
The existing Visible Storage area currently
housing the collection allows visitors to
see objects stored in appropriate climate
controlled conditions. This space will act as
one of the interpretive hubs of Fremantle
Prison, combining objects and multimedia toprovide an historical overview of the site inline with the interpretive themes.
As the exhibitions Contact/Non Contact
and Convict Depot have been in place
for approximately 10 years, they will be
reviewed, an exhibition that examines
drivers for criminal sentencing, from convict
era to now, will be considered. Regarding
past crimes, a display at Kilmainham Gaol,
Ireland, contextualises world events/socialpressures as affecting types of crimes. This
could be extended to the impact colonisation
had on Aboriginal people, investigating how
legislation has been targeted at Aboriginal
people, and the current over representationof Aboriginal people in prison systems.
Similar to a display at Eastern State
Penitentiary, USA, contemporary conditionsof prisons could be explored and conceptsof how punishment and reform havechanged/not changed in WA could also
be included. Eastern State Penitentiary
exhibitions have featured a graph of
prisoners by demographics (highlighting
over representation in certain communities)
and a call to action where visitors are invited
to respond to questions around the prison
system and their answers posted to them
two months, one year and three years after

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Interpretation Management Strategies

43their visits. Musée POP, Canada – a museumon the site of a former prison – invited visitors
to the exhibition En d’dans! La prison commesolution? [translation In the Big House:
Prisons, a Solution?] to contribute theirthoughts on prisons that created a digital
artwork.
A facet of the Prison being part of thecultural landscape of Fremantle is that mostinterpretation is contemplated from within thephysical site. Thus an issue with interpretationof Fremantle Prison is the reach and impactof the actions carried out on/by the site to
the Swan River Colony and then the wholestate of Western Australia. It may not be
visible on the site where visitors are standing
today, but the work of the Prison rippled out
from the site across the State. Imaginativeand evocative ways are needed to articulate
how the Prison was central in a web ofconvict parties and depots, being a colonial
instrument to diminish Aboriginal people andculture and change the physical landscape.
There are also physical connections locally,such as the Knowle, the Warders’ Cottages
and other prisons (the Roundhouse, Rottnest
Island/Wadjemup and Roebourne) that are
not visible from Fremantle Prison, but areassociated with the site. A digital interactive
walking booth/display could be created
where visitors can travel through space
and time. For example, a person can walkthrough an audio visual presentation ofwhat the site would have looked like before
convicts built the Prison (1800s), or while
the Prison was being built (1850s), or post
construction what a Pensioner Guard walking
to work from the cottages down the ramp
would have seen (1860s). The connectionof Fremantle to other convict depots ormovement of convicts or prisoners betweensites could also be explored in this way. This
would situate the visitor in the Prison stories
but not reveal the majesty of the interior inorder to fuel imagination and encourage
uptake of a tour.

Site model
A large 3D site model is proposed to explain
the chronology of construction and routes ofdifferent tours. The tour/network of tunnels
could be part of the model also. This could
encourage sales of the Tunnels Tour tocustomers not fully aware of the undergroundroute. The model should cover stages of
construction to show what was pre-convict,when buildings were added or removed andwhat adaptations were made. As it would
include past layers of building, it would be
different to the tactile site map which isplanned for the perimeter area. The 3D model
could go online as it will incite imaginationand curiosity. This could be considered a
repeat of the model proposed for other areas,
however it is unlikely a visitor would interact
with the model online when on site.
A layered site plan of Fremantle Prison
could also be installed as a dramatic backlit
graphic with areas illuminated depending on
the era of construction and the theme being
explored, or a series of images through time
could also be used.
A sensory interface of the Prison modelwith different materials could be fabricated,allowing visitors to experience the materialityof the site through time and enticing curiosity
about the site.

Exhibitions are typically delivered thoughprinted English. Investigate ways to deliver
text in different languages and to make text
more accessible to people with disabilities.

44

Interpretation Management Strategies • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

INTERIOR
A major element of the interior is the on site experience and the proximity to built fabric. By
showing the different world lived in by convicts, prisoners and their guards/officers, visitors may
have their perspectives on punishment and reform challenged. Views on colonisation and its
impact will be examined. Appreciation of the World Heritage Listed site and its conservation will
be prompted, and visitors inspired to share their experience with others and also visit again.
The interior will offer the most informative interpretation as it is the centre of the Prison
experience and directly confers the experience of being in the Prison when it was operational.
Therefore, interpretation aims to engage body, mind, and heart.
The body will be engaged by senses being stimulated and the physical elements of the site
being drawn out. Interpretation will encourage visitors to consider past embodied memoriesof the site, how it was made (designed and built), who was involved in making the site, how
the site was used, and who interacted with the site (who patrolled, who was incarcerated,
who taught classes and so on). The physical nature of being on site will be focused on. For
example, people will be encouraged to note the scale of interior spaces, climate, appearancesof buildings and other sensory interactions.
Questions that were posed in the entrance area and perimeter will be addressed. There will be
an intellectual element to interpretation to raise awareness about why convictism happened andthat different people were imprisoned. Interpretation will provide a way in to buildings on site,
give context and show concepts of convictism and punishment through the built environment.
While being entertained, visitors will also be encouraged to tap into the emotional experiencesof people who were on site – convicts, officers and prisoners. This connection will offer a way into feel the lived experience.
Tours
Currently at Fremantle Prison, there are fiveguided tours offered to visitors that cover abroad range of the site’s history within the
Prison. These tours were not prepared todirectly support the five interpretive themesof the site (which this management plan has
generated) and require updating for alignment.
There are currently no self-guided tours or
supporting media available to visitors.
In the long term, the IMS – Interior will create
new routes/products.
FabricBuilt fabric is the foundation for many tours.
The buildings themselves are the primarysource of interpretation. Within them, there
may be examples of built interpretation
e.g. markings in the floorboards outlining
the position of hammock frames in former
Association Wards. The built fabric can reveal
much as part of tours of the site.
In the short term, interpretation interventions
for fabric will be approached as required bydifferent conservation projects. In the longterm, IMSs will provide direction.

Rest station
Resting places with shade that could
contain sanitation units (pending COVID-19
requirements) will facilitate the interior to bewelcoming and more inclusive to visitors ofdifferent abilities. The resting place would
be more than a seat; instead it would be aninterpretive installation.
The interpretive installation could even be ameans to navigate the human players in thesite and relate to the IMS – Interior plans for
new routes. As these will be in the interior,
they will reflect the different world and lived
experiences of the site and bring to mind
the memories that are embodied in theplace. The interpretive element will be basedon the physical environment to ensure theinterior experience is focused on the sensory
opportunities available only by being on site.
The elements could be different embodied
memories conceptualised through charactersthat are evident in the structures and could bea prisoner (male and female), guard/adjunctstaff or a representation of the British Empire.

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Interpretation Management Strategies

45

Multisensory
There are many opportunities for
multisensory encounters on tours. Some
examples include the current soundscapein the Kitchen, and projector in the Crown
Theatre. A soundscape of Fremantle Prison
could include rocks breaking, noises of daily
life and so on. The smells of toilet buckets,convict era working party, whale oil lamps,
cigarette smoke, fire smoke (in areas with
fireplaces) etc. will be introduced to provide
an additional immersive experience forvisitors.
There are possibilities around digital based
techniques for interpretation. Technology isrecommended to facilitate rather than be thesole experience (Kidd 2019) and will be usedstrategically. Cells labelled as stores could
contain boxes, that when opened, whisper
what customs, language or ways of life werestored when a person was imprisoned (thiscould include convicts from non-English
speaking communities as well as Aboriginal
prisoners). Cupboards in cells could be
opened and play oral history segments that
relate to the function of that particular cell
(guard in tea room or at yard turnstile orprisoner in medical cell). Audio visual could
be used in places that are currently empty or
have other uses to ‘unsee’ the interventionsof previous decades to a chosen era/
episode/experience. For example, projection
techniques to allow two uses to be interpreted
simultaneously – an empty cell versus a
projection of what it looked like when in use(sources from archival material including
operational Prison footage from 1991).

46

Public programs
The operation of historic and contemporary
trades at Fremantle Prison is extensive, withmany areas within the site being dedicatedto a particular trade workshop. For example,
the operation of historic blacksmithing tools
and machinery in Blacksmith’s workshop
would enable visitors to obtain a better
understanding of the skills, tools, teamwork
and techniques involved in this traditional
trade, as well as the working conditions of
the time. Training workshop opportunities
could be negotiated between Fremantle
Prison and TAFE, the Architects Instituteof Australia or Architects Board of WA or
universities (Curtin, Murdoch, Notre Dame,
University of Western Australia and Edith
Cowan), Heritage Engineers Australia, as well
as local practitioners.
Heritage events such as the State Heritage
Conference or the National Trust Heritage
Festival allow Fremantle Prison to present
recent works and finds that have occurredon site. Public archaeology programs
also have huge potential, such as open
area excavations involving the public andrelationships with academic institutions togenerate new knowledge. Appropriately
themed film festivals, dramatic performances,
art exhibitions/installations, conferences andother site related events have the potential toprovide further opportunities for interpretationand draw a broader audience.

Interpretation Management Strategies • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

DIGITAL – ONLINEInterpretation strategies provided digitally will seek to expand potential audiences and will continue
to consider aligned marketing benefits and revenue raising potential, both on and off site.
WebsiteUpdating the website with new findings
and knowledge about the collection is an
ongoing activity. Material from different
archives and collections could be contrasted
with Fremantle Prison Collection content todrive narratives that span the globe. Eachinterpretive theme could be explored with
online content (for example short films,
Instagram stories or podcasts). Strategies will
have the aim to engage audience to visit.

Social MediaSocial media platforms (Instagram andFacebook) will be considered for interpretive
strategies.
Other technology
Virtual reality, apps and gamification
experiences will be explored as resources
permit.

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Interpretation Management Strategies

47

PROJECT SUMMARY

848

Above: Cell reconstruction, convict era, 1 Division, Main Cell Block.

8. PROJECT SUMMARY
Key recommendations described in this IMP will be delivered by the following projects.
Project

Summary

Timeframe

Comments

Establish athemed based
approach tointerpretation

Develop future interpretation
strategies and devices basedon identified themes.

Immediate

Themes identified. To
be included in future
IMSs.

Conduct
audience
research

Establish awareness of current
and potential audiences basedon current and proposedinterpretive experiences.

2 years

Consultant to beengaged for this.

Generateknowledge

Research program

Ongoing

Oral history program

1-3 years

Data management system/s

5 years

Partnerships
and stakeholder
engagement are
critical to this.

Continually review audience
feedback on experiences
offered to maintain audiencesatisfaction.

Ongoing

Conduct formal review of IMP
and IMSs and subsequentcommercial product options
within five years of release.

Every 5 years

Inspect and maintaininterpretive devices.

Ongoing

Perimeter and beyond

1 yearGatehouse entry area

2 years

Interior area

1 years

Online – digital

2 years

Managefeedback
and reviews

Complete IMSs

Focus on continual
improvement.

To be implemented
as funds/projects
allow.

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Project Summary

49

BIBLIOGRAPHY

950

Above: Office reconstruction, Administration wing, Main Cell Block.

Australia ICOMOS 2013, Practice note—interpretation.
Carter, J 2001, A Sense of place: an interpretive planning
handbook, Scottish Interpretation Network, Scotland.
Gonzales, E 2020, Exhibitions for social justice, Routledge,
Great Britain.
Heritage Council of Western Australia 2019 Interpretation:a guide to making interpretation easy to understand, planand deliver.
ICOMOS 1994, UNESCO Nara document on authenticity.
ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on
Interpretation and Presentation 2008, ICOMOS Charterfor the interpretation and presentation of cultural heritage
sites.
Kidd, J 2019, ‘With new eyes I see: embodiment, empathy
and silence in digital heritage interpretation’, International
Journal of Heritage Studies, pp. 1-13.
Steve, S 2020, Interpreting heritage: a guide to planningand practice, Routledge Guides to Practice in Museums,
Galleries and Heritage, Great Britain.
Tilden, F 1957, Interpreting our heritage: Principles andpractices for visitor services in parks, museums, andhistoric places, University of North Carolina Press, Chapel
Hill USA.
Winkworth, K & Russell, R 2009, Significance 2.0: a guideto assessing the significance of collections, Collections
Council of Australia, Australia.

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Bibliography

51

APPENDIX

1052

Above: Tunnels Tour.

Theme 1: Convictism
The cultural and physical landscape ofWestern Australia was irrevocably changedby the effects of colonisation, particularly
through convictism and the transportation ofconvicts by the British Empire.

Impact on pre-convict world• Recognise what occurred before
colonisation, a cultural narrative of how
Traditional Owners lived and interactedwith the land
• Impact on Aboriginal people regarding
land, change in land use in generaland specifically the construction of the
Prison, Roundhouse and the prison on
Rottnest Island/Wadjemup and otherregional places• Impact on Aboriginal people regarding
culture, from loss of previous way oflife and historical treatment to current
day impacts experienced with overrepresentation in prisons• Change in physical landscape, buildings,
roads and bridges in place of Aboriginal
pathways

Transportation of convicts• Impetus behind transportation, Britain
expanding its geopolitical influence,
overcrowding in prisons and power
dynamics with other colonising countries(e.g. the Dutch and the French)

Building a colony• British Empire and Empire building• Use of forced labour to establish acolonial economy• Building on a budget, economy ofmaterials and labour shortages (Convict
Establishment and other structures)• Central convict administration point andconvict distribution depot• Development of Swan River Colony
into WA as part of Australian identity
compared to a British Empire colony• Acknowledging the process of colonial
expansion and policy of segregation that
led to the development of a separate
prison for Aboriginal people on Rottnest
Island/Wadjemup• Tension between ‘free settlers’ andconvicts, convicts had better food andfacilities at Fremantle Prison than many
free settlers, did settlers all agree on
convicts being transported?
• Change in cultural landscape, eventualsocial integration of convicts comparedto ‘free settlers’ including celebration of‘convict stain’ in family tree
• How did prison condition andcolonisation impacts compare withother colonies in Australia?

• Transportation of convicts from one
country to another• Colonisation of lands by European‘great nation states’ in the eighteenth
to twentieth centuries• Categories of convicts, nationalities andcrimes (all men as opposed to other
Australian states)• Socio-political drivers for crimes related
to convict sentencing, how did thisreflect the climate of British Empire?
• Convictism as a form of slavery• Last phase of transportation to Australia

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Appendix

53

Theme 2: Punishment and reform
The concepts of punishment and/or
rehabilitation in prisons were enforced
through the physical environment andchanged over time as the site transitioned toa modern penitentiary.
Penal philosophy• Penal philosophy and reform from theVictorian era until the Prison closed in
1991, including criminology, approaches
to justice, and various theories of
education• Punishment as a deterrent so people
do not commit crimes

Punishment enforced

Reform offered• Concept of rehabilitation through labourand discipline• Rehabilitation/forms of ‘work’ industry
rather than sitting in cell
• Rehabilitation: use of library, art classes
and opportunities to study up to tertiarylevel education• Religion as a means of reform anddominance of religion (Protestant vs
Catholic chapels)

Implementation through fabric• Punishment expressed throughenvironment: radial cell, Refractory Block• Punishment expressed through convict
labour in public, the performative natureof uniformed/branded convicts doingworks• Prison architecture was designed torepresent the two pathways prisoners
could take (punishment – Refractory
Block or reform – Anglican Chapel)• Corporal punishment: flogging, birch etc.

• How building fabric reflects convict
labour and discipline (cells/Association
Wards)• Executions• Discipline: daily routine as prescribed,
set work hours etc. (to separate thisfrom experience approach discipline asa mechanism of punishment/control)
and administration of discipline• Site demonstrates the facilities,
conditions and attitudes of a colonial
and then major WA Prison.

• How convicts and prisoners wereclassified (type of crime, age, gender,
occupation outside etc.)• How classification could impact on
treatment (this could also include militaryuse)• How authority was expressed• Architects, designers, governors,
officers, teachers, social workers,
psychologists and other people related
to punishment philosophy being exerted
onto convicts and prisoners• How did punishment and reformcompare with other prisons in Australia?

54

Appendix • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

Theme 3: People’s experience
The lived experience of being in the Prison
when it was operational comes from multiple
perspectives including staff, visitors andprisoners. Each prisoner’s experience wasdifferent and would have varied whether
they were men, women, Aboriginal, nonAboriginal, juveniles or World War Twointernees, or according to their crime, health,sentence length, sexuality or profession.
Note that the experience of Aboriginal people
has not been previously represented ininterpretation to the depth which the subthemes outline, and these absences will
be addressed with the Aboriginal Heritage
Management Plan. Aboriginal people
are referred to separately, as targeted
legislation influenced how Aboriginal people
experienced the justice systemand Fremantle Prison.

Male prisoners• Convict histories of the men andjuveniles who were forcibly migrated to
the Swan River Colony from the period
1850 to 1868, and their subsequent
lives in the colony and state• Convict experiences, how did religion
and type of crime impact on day to
day life experience of cells/Association
Wards, what was the lived experience ofpunishment (flogging/Refractory Block)and/or rehabilitation, especially throughlabour/work parties, what were power
dynamics between convicts?
• Histories of Aboriginal male prisoners
incarcerated at Fremantle Prison, andthe long term impact of colonisation
observed in over representation ofAboriginal people in prisons• Experiences of Aboriginal male prisoners
incarcerated at Fremantle Prison• Experiences of Aboriginal male prisoners
including those that were transferred
to/from Fremantle Prison to otherincarceration sites including Rottnest
Island/Wadjemup• Experiences of the male prisoners(Aboriginal) held at Rottnest Island/
Wadjemup, and the works they
undertook, including the period of its
operation by Fremantle Prison• Experiences of the male prisoners(non-Aboriginal) held at Rottnest
Island/Wadjemup, and the works they
undertook, including the period of its
operation by Fremantle Prison• Histories of non-Aboriginal maleprisoners incarcerated at Fremantle
Prison from 1886 until the Prison closed
in 1991• Experiences of non-Aboriginal maleprisoners (1886 to 1991) how did
religion, type of crime, previous
occupation, race etc. impact on day
to day life (include time in cells, size ofcells), what was the lived experienceof punishment (execution/flogging/
Refractory Block), and/or rehabilitation(library, art classes etc.), power
dynamics between prisoners• Experiences of families, friends andother visitors to male prisoners and theeffect visits had on prisoners

Female prisoners• Histories of Aboriginal female prisoners
held at Fremantle Prison from 1886 until
1970, including women who may havebeen transferred to Bandyup• Experiences of Aboriginal female
prisoners, how did religion, type ofcrime and previous occupation impact
on day to day life, what was the lived
experience of punishment and/or
rehabilitation and the power dynamics
between prisoners• Histories of non-Aboriginal female
prisoners held at Fremantle Prison from1886 until 1970, including women who
may have been transferred to Bandyup

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Appendix

55

• Experiences of non-Aboriginal female
prisoners, how did religion, type ofcrime and previous occupation impact
on day to day life, what was the lived
experience of punishment and/or
rehabilitation and the power dynamics
between prisoners• Experiences of families, friends andother visitors to female prisoners and theeffect visits had on prisoners

War time use• Use of Fremantle Prison by the military,
including the experience of thoseincarcerated as ‘enemy aliens’ andmilitary officers

Protest• Male and female, Aboriginal andnon-Aboriginal prisoner attitudes
and behaviour, including rioting anddisobedience, challenging of authority,
escapes and attempted escapes,
activities and activism, and attitudes
towards the Prison

Comparisons to other prisons• How did experiences of prisoners differ
between Fremantle Prison and otherprisons when they were transferred(1970 Bandyup for women and post
1991 for men)?
• How does past experience of prison
compare to currently operational prisonsin WA?

Staff• Histories of guards, officers andadministration staff from 1850 until the
Prison’s closure in 1991, encompassing
the initial period of constructing theConvict Establishment, administering theinstitution and the introduction of prison
officers• Experiences of guards, officers andadministration staff from 1850 until the
Prison’s closure in 1991, encompassing
the initial period of constructing theConvict Establishment, dministering theinstitution and the introduction of Prison
officers• Histories of adjunct staff such asteachers and social workers, including
violence against them by prisoners/otherstaff• Experiences of adjunct staff such asteachers and social workers, including
violence against them by prisoners/other
staff• Additional staff employed especiallyrelating to punishment (execution,
flogging)• Histories of the designers and architectsof the Prison• Experiences of the designers andarchitects of the Prison, what was thedaily process of requesting material fromoverseas/dealing with material shortagein colony as well as communication with
Britain?
• Histories of the families of prison guards,
officers and other staff, including thefamilies that lived on site
• Experiences of the families of prison
guards, officers and other staff, including
the families that lived on site.

56

Appendix • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

Theme 4: Built environment
Fremantle Prison is a highly intact andauthentic architectural ensemble and culturallandscape related to the convict experiencein Australia and the transformation of theImperial convict system into the modern
Australian prison system. The prison
buildings, structures and spaces, to a highdegree, relate to the changing philosophiesof punishment and reform through thenineteenth and twentieth centuries, as wellas to the economic and environmental
conditions of Western Australia.

Administrative/Service/Support

Historic and philosophical influences

Rarity• Gatehouse: references medieval castle
entries with castellated towers andcentral entry• Location: visible symbol to the town
• Main Cell Block: Victorian Georgian,
stripped back, austere, grim
• Parade ground: harsh, alien• Perimeter walls• Residences: Victorian Georgian style –symmetrical, austere, domestic• Residences: hierarchy of control ofofficers/prison administration• Administration in Main Cell Block• Hospital• Terrace residences• Warders’ Cottages

Technical achievements• Main Cell Block: at the time an
extraordinary feat, e.g. ventilation system• Tunnels and reservoir: water catchment
and distribution for the town
• Longest cell range in Australia• Most intact convict era cell range• Most intact convict era complex

Adaptation and change• Cells to officer use, particularly Main Cell
Block
• Convict Establishment to main WA
Prison: female prisoners, Gallows• Internal division walls, and external
division yard walls• Single cells to double cells• Tradition of ‘make do’ and ‘busharchitecture’, reflects time and location

Punishment• Gallows• Refractory• Segregation: wards, divisions, yards• Separate system: cells, chapel seating,radial yard (New Division), seclusion
through architecture• Cook house, bakehouse and washhouse buildings converted to Female
Division• Marks on the fabric from time, prison
lifeways and riots• Murals, art, graffiti• Post-prison: tourist destination,commercial tenants.

Surveillance• Watch Towers• Peep holes• View lines, sterile zones

Reform• Chapel as centre of Main Cell Block• Gardens• Workshops/Industries

FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022 • Appendix

57

Theme 5: Living history
People have strong feelings about Fremantle
Prison. The way in which the site isunderstood, researched and conserved
is evolving through people’s perspective
and personal connection to the place. This
collective living memory of Fremantle Prison
contributes to social value, community
engagement, and a strong sense of local
community value. This theme also relates
to the new ways that are emerging on how
to consider the site, either with expanding
historical narratives or using technology torealise research potentials.

People who interact with the place as aheritage site

People who interacted with the place as afunctional prison

Conservation• Former prisoners and their families that
are Aboriginal (noting the relatively highproportion of prisoners were Aboriginal)• Families of Aboriginal people who havedied in custody• Families of non-Aboriginal people whohave died in custody• Former prisoners• People who had family in the Prison,
whether distant past with convict
ancestors or when operational as a WA
prison• Wartime internees and their relatives• Military officers stationed at the Prison
and their families• People who worked in the Prison,
including designers, architects, builders,
and their families• Connections to current use of
Wadjemup: development of Rottnest
Island/Wadjemup as a place ofrecreation was dependent on prisoner
labour in the early 1900s withpredominantly Aboriginal prisoners
used to build infrastructure• Local residents, particularly those living
close to the Prison• Sense of place including culturallandscape of Fremantle• When operational as heritage site:architects, builders, conservation
practitioners etc. (Sagrada Família haveinterpretation about current workers) as
well as visitors and users of Fremantle
Prison as function space• Archaeology on site
• Best practise trades with conservation• Building material sourcing• Collection management of movable
heritage• Conservation and management ofbuildings• Conservation of murals• Landscape, green spaces andsurrounding environs

Future research potentials• Artist in residence (could be
performance/mixed media/audio etc.)/
intervention of site/collections• Centre for Heritage Excellence (as per
Master Plan)• Collaborations with universities including
students/academics/practitioners of
tourism, cultural heritage, archaeology,
landscape architects, architects, material
analysists, conservators, digital heritageand more• Future research of records, newquestions to ask of archives and as
more material becomes accessible• Oral histories• Technology including that used tosee through layers of paint (murals,
underground), ground penetrating radarand more.

58

Appendix • FREMANTLE PRISON | INTERPRETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 2022

Below: 1 Division, Main Cell Block.