Maitland was designed by Mortimer Lewis it began to be built in 1844 and opened for its first prisoners in 1848. These included men and women. It was to house some of the most hardened criminals in Australia. 16 hangings were carried out at the gaol between 1848 and 1897 all of these were for either rape or murder. Their bodies were buried beneath the courtyard, besides these deaths there were also many murders and suicides within the gaol. There were many escape attempts but the majority failed and those that did manage to get to the outside were captured within a short while. The prison closed in 1998 due to an upgrade in prison systems, the security did not meet expectations, the conditions were unsuitable and the cost of running the ancient goal was seen as excessive. It is now a visitor’s attraction and is open for tours.

There are many spirits that still stay at the gaol, most are unhappy and leave you with the feeling of dread and unease at entering some of the cells. Dark shadowy figures have been seen, and the cell doors sometimes shut by themselves.