1988 Riot Banners
1988The item consists of three large, white, fabric bedsheets on which words are handwritten in black marker pens; along with five associated white paper police evidence tags. The 3 banners read as follows: EARLY RESOLVE/ MEDIA REP + / DIRECTOR/ PRISONS' (1999.165.1a-), 'POLICE WONT/ NEGOTIATE/ WILL RELEASE/ HOSTAGE FOR/ FOOD' (1999.165.2) and 'NO FOOD OR/ NEGOTIATIONS/ HAVE BEEN/ ATTEMPTED/ BY/ AUTHORITIES (1999.165 3). The sheets are generally considered to be in good condition.
These three riot banners were made by prisoners during the 1988 riots at Fremantle Prison. The banners were created by prisoners to draw attention to the conditions under which they were living at this time and to communicate with negotiators during the ensuing hostage situation. The banners appear in 1988 photographs taken by the WA Police Department and also appear hanging on the roof of the yard shelters in media footage of the 1988 riot. The banners and five associated police evidence tags were reidentified onsite at the prison in October 2018 in a box labelled 'Riot banners 99.165.1-3' and consequently accessioned into the collection.
Details
Details
'EARLY RESOLVE/ MEDIA REP + / DIRECTOR/ PRISONS'
'POLICE WONT/ NEGOTIATE/ WILL RELEASE/ HOSTAGE FOR/ FOOD'
'NO FOOD OR/ NEGOTIATIONS/ HAVE BEEN/ ATTEMPTED/ BY/ AUTHORITIES'
Known riots occurred at Fremantle Prison in the late 1890s, 1902, 1930, 1943, 1966 and 1972; a common theme for the instigation of these riots being poor food quality and overall conditions. In 1982 prisoners again protested over the conditions of Fremantle Prison, prompting a Royal Commission, which recommended closure. In 1985 there was a revolt in the exercise yard, during which prisoners attempted to set fire to the Prison.
Whilst riots occurred before 1988, the 4th January 1988 riot and ensuing hostage situation were a pivotal event that had long lasting impacts on the future use of the prison and set the scene for its eventual closure in 1991. Prisoners in 3 Division yard stormed into the Main Cell Block using improvised weapons and boiling water, taking five officers hostage. The prisoners lit fires, using newspapers, cell furniture and fuel from the Prison’s lawnmower which they had been secretly stockpiling. The flames reached the roof, which eventually collapsed in 4 Division. The riot lasted into the next day, where the sheets described above were used to communicate with waiting media and negotiators. Whilst there were some serious injuries, no one was killed, and hostages were released after 18 hours. The estimated damage bill to the Prison was between $1.5 and $2 million.
An inquiry held examined the prison conditions and was highly critical of the Prison’s outdated facilities. The government began plans for a new prison, and Fremantle finally closed in November 1991, 80 years after its closure was initially recommended in the 1911 Royal Commission.
These objects played a pivotal role in communicating the demands of the riot instigators one they had gained control of the prison. This riot had massive ramifications for the prison and was one of the reasons for the eventual closure in 1991.
