John Clarkson Maddison, pictorial material of the Bathurst Riots, 1974 / compiled by John Clarkson Maddison

PXE 1453

fonds

1974

Graphic Materials, Photographs

909062

1 folder (42 photographs) - black & white - various sizes.

John Maddison was elected the Liberal Party member of the NSW Legislative Assembly for the seats of Hornsby (1962-1963) and Kuringai (1973-1980). Maddison was appointed Minister of Justice (1965-1976) and Attorney General (1975-1976).

Early in the afternoon of Sunday, 3 February, 1974, there was a disturbance at Bathurst Jail. Part of the prison was burnt down and the prisoners rioted. Prison officers gased, fired with guns and beat the prisoners.

Following the bashings a group of Sydney lawyers, ex-prisoners and others formed the Prison Reform Council and worked towards bringing about a Royal Commission. On 31 March 1978 Justice Nagle delivered the long, comprehensive final report, which criticised the Department of Corrective Services for its failure to acknowledge and inquire into allegations of brutality experienced within the NSW prison system.

Images are of the weapons made by the prisoners for the riot. They include knives, axes, saws, sling-shots, chains, and bows & arrows. Also includes images of a correctional centre of unknown origin.

Forms part of MLMSS 4178

Copyright status:: In copyright - created after 1955
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and courtesy John Maddison

Pic.Acc. Upgrade Project - Information transferred from Pic.Acc.5492 as part of the eRecords Project 2012-13