Riot at Oakalla and restructuring

In October 1952, a riot was instigated at
Oakalla by inmates in the south wing who were
awaiting trial, appeal or transfer. At the time,
there were more than 900 inmates—almost
double normal capacity—in the institution.
There was no indoor activity or outdoor
program in the remand units. Tension was also
high after the new warden tried to reduce drug
traffic within the institution. By moving all
convicted addicts to one wing, their sphere of
influence shrank and they lost status.

Dr. Guy Richmond, the gaol‘s physician,
described the disturbance:

It was not long before there was a riot... I
had just finished a sick parade in an
adjacent room when all hell broke loose.
The entire wing had been taken over by the
inmates, Having seized the staff they
barricaded the entrance gates... The
banging, shouting and screaming could be
heard over a wide area and residents of
nearby homes were gathering anxiously...

Era of Rebabilitation (1950-1969)

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