J Ward in Beechworth is connected to Aradale but is also separate from it. Originally built as a goldfields prison in 1859, it was later bought by the Lunacy Department in the 1880s when the gold reserves depleted. Originally intended as a ‘temporary’ facility, it was used to house the criminally insane. For 126 years, it remained a high-security facility, containing the most dangerous men within its bluestone walls.

J Ward Design

The design of J Ward is based on the Pentonville concept – you will find the same layout at Beechworth Gaol, Geelong Gaol, Old Melbourne Gaol and Pentridge Gaol.

Executions

During its time as a gaol, three executions were held. While the men were buried in unmarked graves, plaques are now on the exercise yard wall.

Notable Prisoners

• Charles Fossard was admitted in 1903 at age 21 and convicted of murder. He died at J ward in 1974, aged 92. Imprisoned for 70 years, 303 days, Charles was J ward’s longest-serving patient
• Garry David, also known as Garry Webb. Garry and his siblings were taken from their alcoholic mother and habitual criminal father and placed in an orphanage when he was four. In the following years, he was shuffled through orphanages, boys’ homes, and training centres until, at age 11, he began committing petty crimes. At 13, he was diagnosed with a personality disorder with psychopathic traits. In 1982, he was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for the attempted murder of three people during a robbery gone wrong. 1984 he began self-mutilating, swallowing razor blades and corrosive liquids, cutting off parts of his ears, his nipple, and penis, and hammering nails into his feet. In 1993, he swallowed razor blades again and had successful surgery to remove them in the hospital. Still, when he returned to J Ward, he ripped his stitches open with a ballpoint pen and developed peritonitis, leading to his death. At the time of his death, he had been a prisoner of various institutions for 33 of the 38 years of his life.
• Bill Wallace was admitted in 1926, aged 44. While he was never charged with a crime, he was arrested on suspicion of murder. Refusing to answer any questions, he was declared insane and committed to J Ward. He passed away in the geriatric ward of Aradale aged 107. He had been confined for almost 60 years.
• Mark ‘chopper’ Reid transferred there briefly in 1978 from Pentridge after arranging for a fellow prisoner to cut off his ears.

Conditions

Near the original kitchen is the original bathroom. It is unknown if this was for inmates or staff – as neither had any bathroom facilities in the rooms. However, it is thought that when a patient was admitted, warders burned the patient’s clothing in the kitchen fire, and they were given a bath in case of infestation with lice. They were then issued with prison clothing and a blanket.

Because J ward was more prison than asylum, security was tighter and conditions much harsher. For example, chamber pots were in each cell, and trustee inmates would clean them in exchange for a cigarette a day.

Tours:

• Available every day except Christmas Day
• Adults, $17, Conc $15, Children under 16 $5. Under 5 is free
• Ghost Tours are available from Lantern Ghost Tours