15/09/2026
Whipping and Flogging
Corporal punishment was once a grim reality of life at Adelaide Gaol. Whipping and flogging remained among the punishments used at the gaol until they were abolished in 1976, although the final whipping took place much earlier, in July 1964.
As many as 24 offences could result in flogging. Prisoners under 18 were punished with canes or birches, while adults were flogged with a lightweight whip cord soaked in water, known as the cat o’ nine tails.
The severity of the punishment changed over time. In the 1890s, sentences could reach as many as 150 strokes. By the 1930s, this had fallen to around 25–30 strokes, and in later years sentences generally averaged 8–12 strokes.
Despite the brutality of the punishment, there were procedures governing its use. Before a sentence was carried out, a doctor examined the prisoner and remained present throughout. A warder or executioner then administered the prescribed number of strokes.
