CHRISTMAS SPEND NOTICE

c. 1980 - 1991
Overview

(a) Large, rectangular, yellowed paper page, listing items available to prisoners during Christmas period from the canteen. Typed in black across the top of the page, 'CHRISTMAS SPEND/ NOTICE'. Underneath are instructions on how to purchase items from the list. Items printed in black below the instructions in two columns. Prices and weights to right of each listed item. Subheadings are in capitals, such as 'CONFECTIONARY'. A name and number [redacted] written in red texter at the top of the page. Handwritten red markings appear next to certain items. Two binder holes have been punched along left edge.

(b) Large, rectangular, yellowed paper page, listing items available to prisoners during Christmas period from the canteen. Second of a two page document. Items listed in two columns, typed in black, with prices and weights listed to the right of each item. Subheadings in capitals, such as 'MILKS & TEA' etc. Handwritten red markings appear next to certain items. Two binder holes have been punched along left edge.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-89-1993.130.2a-b
Item type
Material
Contextual Information

The Christmas period at Fremantle Prison saw some subtle changes in the everyday lives of the prisoners in the late twentieth century. More movies were shown in the evenings, extra activities were available and supplementary items were obtainable on the supplies list. On 11 and 12 December 1990, a Christmas concert was held at the Assessment Centre for prisoners and their families. The store WA Salvage provided presents for the attending children. while the remaining attendees were given presents provided by Outcare, a body that supported prisoner’s families.

In order to purchase their own festive food and supplies, prisoners submitted spend slips. A list of available items and prices was displayed in each divisional yard. Payment was made by gratuities, such as the money earnt by prisoners through their prison work, or by spending a limited amount of cash. Spend slips were usually completed weekly but Christmas spends covered two weeks, with an increased purchase limit of $100. Some planning was required as the Christmas spend slips had to be submitted by December 2, and since prisoners had no means of refrigeration, purchases consisted mainly of preserved foods. Many items were tinned, such as rice cream, fruit salad, oysters, mussels, deli ham, strawberries and cream. Items like HP sauce, chilli sauce and spicy steak sauce were also popular, as such condiments offered the opportunity to customise the standard and often bland food provided.

Year
c. 1980 - 1991
Primary significance criteria
Artistic or aesthetic significance
Historic significance
Scientific or research significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Object’s condition or completeness
Rare or representative
Well provenanced
Fremantle Prison

Fremantle Prison

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Spend Notice

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