Inside Australia's most notorious jails: Stunning photographs of killers, rapists and the officers that guard them reveal the secret world behind bars

  • Sue Paull photographed inmates over 15 years in Australia's most notorious prisons 
  • She became a jail art teacher in NSW prisons after teaching in schools felt more depressing than prison'
  • In her art class with no prison officer to guard her he taught killers and rapists to paint and draw
  • Paull was then given unprecedented access to document life inside our biggest jail system
  • Her stunning photographs show the hidden world behind bars where violent inmates live

By Candace Sutton for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 00:04 EST, 12 December 2015 | Updated: 10:45 EST, 12 December 2015

When she started teaching art to killers and rapists inside one of Australia's most notorious prisons - Long Bay jail in Sydney - Sue Paull did not have a prison officer to guard her.

Invited to teach maximum security inmates at the Bay, Paull selected criminals out of the 7000 plus incarcerated in the NSW prison system based on their 'motivation' to create art.

Then she began to photograph them, drawing on the skills she had learned at the Newcastle College of Advanced Education where she developed an interest in socially committed photography.

Encouraged by former NSW Corrective Services Commissioner Ron Woodham, Paull began to shoot images outside her art room, of inmates, guards and the walls and razor wire of prison architecture.

She captured prison weddings, transgender jail romances, female guards on duty in riot gear, prisoners in the jail weights yard,the eerie interiors of old prison wings, tattooed torsos of inmates and convicted murderers posing with their paintings. 

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Prisoner Terry stands in front of one of his paintings entitled Long Bay Hilton Foyer which depicts the inside of the gatehouse at the onetime Malabar Special Programmes Centre, one of several of his artworks which try to transform the physical environment of the prison with vibrant colours

Prisoner Terry stands in front of one of his paintings entitled Long Bay Hilton Foyer which depicts the inside of the gatehouse at the onetime Malabar Special Programmes Centre, one of several of his artworks which try to transform the physical environment of the prison with vibrant colours

A prisoner in the weights yard at Long Bay Correctional Complex in 1993 during a daily session of physical exercise which many inmates do so as to maintain a tough exterior in the intense and sometimes dangerous environment of the prison yard

A prisoner in the weights yard at Long Bay Correctional Complex in 1993 during a daily session of physical exercise which many inmates do so as to maintain a tough exterior in the intense and sometimes dangerous environment of the prison yard

First Class correctional officer Jane from the Southern Security Unit stands equipped with a riot shield, gas mask, baton and tear gas canisters at Goulburn Correctional Centre where in 2002 a female officer saved a male officers life by throwing herself across his body during a violent outbreak in which she suffered stab wounds and severe head injuries

First Class correctional officer Jane from the Southern Security Unit stands equipped with a riot shield, gas mask, baton and tear gas canisters at Goulburn Correctional Centre where in 2002 a female officer saved a male officers life by throwing herself across his body during a violent outbreak in which she suffered stab wounds and severe head injuries

Inmate Tom Foster shows his powerful physique and tattoos while working in the garden statue shop in the Silverwater minimum security prison works release programme in 1997, where he was referred to from Long Bay

Inmate Tom Foster shows his powerful physique and tattoos while working in the garden statue shop in the Silverwater minimum security prison works release programme in 1997, where he was referred to from Long Bay

A prison officer on duty in 1996 on an upper tier of Parramatta Correctional Centre which opened in 1798 and closed in 2011, the old sandstone prison crumbling and run with rats

A prison officer on duty in 1996 on an upper tier of Parramatta Correctional Centre which opened in 1798 and closed in 2011, the old sandstone prison crumbling and run with rats

Amanda and Michael in 1993 at Long Bay prison, one of NSW's 34 correctional centres where transgender relationships are accepted as part of prison life

Amanda and Michael in 1993 at Long Bay prison, one of NSW's 34 correctional centres where transgender relationships are accepted as part of prison life

Convicted murderer Geoffrey Websdale , described by Sue Paull as 'a superb technician', stands with one of his artworks at Long Bay prison in 2004. Fifteen years earlier the trainee shearer shot and killed two people and wounded two others at a shearer's camp on a sheep station in 1989 near Carrathool in far-western NSW, earning him a maximum 25 year year sentence

Convicted murderer Geoffrey Websdale , described by Sue Paull as 'a superb technician', stands with one of his artworks at Long Bay prison in 2004. Fifteen years earlier the trainee shearer shot and killed two people and wounded two others at a shearer's camp on a sheep station in 1989 near Carrathool in far-western NSW, earning him a maximum 25 year year sentence

Using a documentary style in many of her photographs, Paull was nevertheless drawn to beautiful images such as an inmate's tattoos, and the physical strength of prisoners in the 'survival of the fittest' world behind bars.

Her unique access and stunning black-and-white photographs give a glimpse into the hidden world of Australia's largest prison system between 1993 and the mid to late 2000s.

While Paull worked in male prisons, she recorded the transgender relationships which are recognised as part of life in the prison system.

She photographed inmates from Anglo, ethnic and Aboriginal backgrounds, indigenous inmates making up to 20 per cent of the male prison population and close to 30 per cent of female inmates.

Inmate Wayne Brown dressed in prison green tracksuit pants poses for prison art teacher and photographer Sue Paull at the Reception and Induction Centre inside Long Bay Correctional Complex in 1997. Paull was interested in the stories behind his tattoos, which include a single word etched on his right arm, 'Mum'. This photo is currently on display in the NSW Art Gallery exhibition, Body Parts

Inmate Wayne Brown dressed in prison green tracksuit pants poses for prison art teacher and photographer Sue Paull at the Reception and Induction Centre inside Long Bay Correctional Complex in 1997. Paull was interested in the stories behind his tattoos, which include a single word etched on his right arm, 'Mum'. This photo is currently on display in the NSW Art Gallery exhibition, Body Parts

Razor wire and steel bars enmesh a gate in an old section of Long Bay Correctional Complex in 1997 where maximum security inmates including murderers and rapists were housed before 'the Bay' began accepting lower security prisoners and Supermax jail opened

Razor wire and steel bars enmesh a gate in an old section of Long Bay Correctional Complex in 1997 where maximum security inmates including murderers and rapists were housed before 'the Bay' began accepting lower security prisoners and Supermax jail opened

Prisoner Andrew in the statue workshop of Silverwater prison's works release programme in 1997, one of the final steps before being released into the community at the end of his jail sentence

Prisoner Andrew in the statue workshop of Silverwater prison's works release programme in 1997, one of the final steps before being released into the community at the end of his jail sentence

A shirtless inmate catches some afternoon rays in a section of Long Bay by the oval in 1994 when the prison was still one of the main jails for maximum security inmates

A shirtless inmate catches some afternoon rays in a section of Long Bay by the oval in 1994 when the prison was still one of the main jails for maximum security inmates

An armed prison officer on duty in 8 Tower at Long Bay Correctional Complex in 1997 before inmates are roused from their cells. Only guards in the tower are allowed to carry weapons and potentially shoot at escapees or rioters  

An armed prison officer on duty in 8 Tower at Long Bay Correctional Complex in 1997 before inmates are roused from their cells. Only guards in the tower are allowed to carry weapons and potentially shoot at escapees or rioters  

An inmate at Long Bay prison in 1992 does chin-ups on gym equipment in the yard in one of several of Sue Paull's photographs which demonstrate the importance of keeping in physical shape for many prisoners

An inmate at Long Bay prison in 1992 does chin-ups on gym equipment in the yard in one of several of Sue Paull's photographs which demonstrate the importance of keeping in physical shape for many prisoners

A female prison officer on the gate of Long Bay Correctional Complex in 2007 stands in the sally port through which all guards must pass to enter the working part of the jail

A female prison officer on the gate of Long Bay Correctional Complex in 2007 stands in the sally port through which all guards must pass to enter the working part of the jail

Inmates fashion 'jail'made implements' more commonly known as shivs from any pieces of metal they may find in the prison machine shop or garden shed as well as toothbrushes filed down to a lethal point
Sue Paull saw beauty in the shape of shivs like this hand-made dagger which was confiscated after officers found it inside a prison

Shivs: Inmates fashion 'jail'made implements' more commonly known as shivs from any pieces of metal they may find in the prison machine shop or garden shed as well as from toothbrushes which are filed down to a fine but lethal point

Under her guidance as an art teacher, some violent criminals flourished and changed, even making it to art school when they were paroled from prison.

Her art students have included murderers like Geoffrey Websdale, who was sentenced to a maximum of 25 years for a fatal shooting spree at a shearer's camp on a sheep station in 1989 near Carrathool in far-western NSW.

One of Paull's students, Czech-born inmate Pewter Pavlov left prison and her art class to enrol at the National Art School  housed in Sydney's old Darlinghurst Gaol.

Paull said that while many people's perception of prison art was 'skulls' tattoos and people cringing in their cells the quality of art and the creativity of inmates was much higher.

Inmate Steve shows off his tattoos while incarcerated at Long Bay Correctional Centre in Sydney in 1994 when the prison was mainly for maximum security inmates

Inmate Steve shows off his tattoos while incarcerated at Long Bay Correctional Centre in Sydney in 1994 when the prison was mainly for maximum security inmates

Segro: The segregation yards at Parklea Correctional Centre in western Sydney in 1996 where violent and unruly inmates are sent to keep them from contact with the rest of the prison population or after they may have threatened the welfare of the officers guarding them

Segro: The segregation yards at Parklea Correctional Centre in western Sydney in 1996 where violent and unruly inmates are sent to keep them from contact with the rest of the prison population or after they may have threatened the welfare of the officers guarding them

In 1994 a prisoner in the weights yard of Long Bay jail's Reception and Induction Centre which was the principal holding prison for remand inmates and bail refused prisoners before Silverwater's Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre opened in 1997 and now houses one thousand inmates making Australia's largest jail

In 1994 a prisoner in the weights yard of Long Bay jail's Reception and Induction Centre which was the principal holding prison for remand inmates and bail refused prisoners before Silverwater's Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre opened in 1997 and now houses one thousand inmates making Australia's largest jail

Sue Paull, pictured in the Long Bay prison art room with inmates Doug, left, and Geoff, centre, became the art teacher in Australia's biggest corrections system after she found the regulations in secondary schools 'more depressing than prison' and changed public perceptions that prison art was 'all tattoos and skulls' finding creative talent in hundreds of maximum security inmates

Sue Paull, pictured in the Long Bay prison art room with inmates Doug, left, and Geoff, centre, became the art teacher in Australia's biggest corrections system after she found the regulations in secondary schools 'more depressing than prison' and changed public perceptions that prison art was 'all tattoos and skulls' finding creative talent in hundreds of maximum security inmates

A prison wedding between a woman and her incarcerated man at Long Bay Correctional Complex in 1996 before prison authorities banned weddings from maximum security jails and the very few marriages which take place behind bars must all now be approved by the Commissioner

A prison wedding between a woman and her incarcerated man at Long Bay Correctional Complex in 1996 before prison authorities banned weddings from maximum security jails and the very few marriages which take place behind bars must all now be approved by the Commissioner

Sue Paull photographed the tattoos of some inmates such as Cookie, pictured at Long Bay in 1997. He explained the 1% represented an outside, the snake's head meant 'sneaky' for a thief, the black rose covered other tattoos, 10-2-32 was his father's birthday, the star and arrow symbolised sex, the spots on the star was for 'rock and roll' and the diverted arrow a 'one-way street'

Sue Paull photographed the tattoos of some inmates such as Cookie, pictured at Long Bay in 1997. He explained the 1% represented an outside, the snake's head meant 'sneaky' for a thief, the black rose covered other tattoos, 10-2-32 was his father's birthday, the star and arrow symbolised sex, the spots on the star was for 'rock and roll' and the diverted arrow a 'one-way street'

Before she became a prison art teacher and photographer, Paull worked in the secondary school system where she found the regulations depressing.

When she walked into a prison art room for the first time with maximum security inmates she felt at ease.

Hundreds of inmates have painted, drawn, made pottery sculpture and woodcuts under Paull's tutelage and exhibited at Long Bay's Boom Gate gallery and in the outside world, their paintings hanging in overseas galleries.

Her photographs provide an important documentation of the the environment in Australian prisons over a decade and a half and the lives of the inmates.

‘I like to photograph little details, the quirky things, the way human beings personalise their living spaces, even if they are prison cells,' Paull said.

One of her photographs,  of inmate Wayne Brown showing his bare torso and arms covered in tattoos can currently be seen on display at the NSW Art Gallery exhibition, Body Parts.

Inmate Tom Foster, pictured at Long Bay Correctional Complex in 1997 with his painting of a flower, produced many large works depicting nature and displaying a sensitivity not obvious in his outwardly hulking frame. Sue Paull said of Foster 'WhenTom came into the programme he quickly became interested in painting flowers. He had a great willingness to work [hard] and explore ideas'

Inmate Tom Foster, pictured at Long Bay Correctional Complex in 1997 with his painting of a flower, produced many large works depicting nature and displaying a sensitivity not obvious in his outwardly hulking frame. Sue Paull said of Foster 'WhenTom came into the programme he quickly became interested in painting flowers. He had a great willingness to work [hard] and explore ideas'

The interior of 9 Wing at Long Bat in 1997 shows the ageing prison with its cell doors during a period when it had been temporarily vacated and its inmates relocated to other prisons in preparation for the conversion of the of reception and induction centre into a special programmes prison for lower security prisoners

The interior of 9 Wing at Long Bat in 1997 shows the ageing prison with its cell doors during a period when it had been temporarily vacated and its inmates relocated to other prisons in preparation for the conversion of the of reception and induction centre into a special programmes prison for lower security prisoners

An inmate clerk, cigarette clenched between his teeth, poses for Sue Paull in the maintenance area where he handled wages and job allocations at Long Bay prison in 1993, in the first year that the art teacher began to document life in stunning black and white photographs inside Australia's largest prison system

An inmate clerk, cigarette clenched between his teeth, poses for Sue Paull in the maintenance area where he handled wages and job allocations at Long Bay prison in 1993, in the first year that the art teacher began to document life in stunning black and white photographs inside Australia's largest prison system

Female correctional officer above the razor wire on 8 Tower armed with a rifle and ready to shoot if necessary at Goulburn Correctional Centre in 2004, two years after a violent clash in which 30 inmates and gang members armed with broken brooms and other makeshift weapons attacked staff injuring seven guards, almost killing one

Female correctional officer above the razor wire on 8 Tower armed with a rifle and ready to shoot if necessary at Goulburn Correctional Centre in 2004, two years after a violent clash in which 30 inmates and gang members armed with broken brooms and other makeshift weapons attacked staff injuring seven guards, almost killing one

Aboriginal inmate Doug Pearce poses with one of his dot paintings produced at Long Bay's art unit which he exhibited at the prison's Boom Gate gallery, admitting that painting in jail 'keeps me out of trouble'. His works, which he said helped him explore his Aboriginality now hang in collections in Canada, USA , France and Britain

Aboriginal inmate Doug Pearce poses with one of his dot paintings produced at Long Bay's art unit which he exhibited at the prison's Boom Gate gallery, admitting that painting in jail 'keeps me out of trouble'. His works, which he said helped him explore his Aboriginality now hang in collections in Canada, USA , France and Britain

Inmates clothes hang on the railings on a tier inside a Bathurst Correctional Centre wing west of the Blue mountains in NSW in 2000

Inmates clothes hang on the railings on a tier inside a Bathurst Correctional Centre wing west of the Blue mountains in NSW in 2000

Simon, a young inmate Sue Paull photographed when he was serving time among maximum security criminals at Long Bay Correctional Centre in 1993

Simon, a young inmate Sue Paull photographed when he was serving time among maximum security criminals at Long Bay Correctional Centre in 1993

In the shadow of the razor wire indigenous inmate Jason stands with his large scale painting in Aboriginal art style outside the Long Bay prison correctional centre art room in 1999

In the shadow of the razor wire indigenous inmate Jason stands with his large scale painting in Aboriginal art style outside the Long Bay prison correctional centre art room in 1999

 

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