Women's Prison, Constitution Hill

From the Constitutional Court, we walked up to the Women's Jail, built in 1909 in the Victorian style.

On the way, we passed the Flame of Democracy and a statue of a child representing hope.

The prison had separate sections for whites and other races. The white prisoners were given better treatment compared to other races who were crowded in their cells with inadequate sanitary conditions.

Some of the notable prisoners who were once imprisoned here include Winnie Mandela and Albertina Sisulu who were both political activists and were arrested on account of their activities with the African National Congress.

In 1932, Daisy de Melker, who poisoned her two husbands and her son, was imprisoned here. She was later convicted for murder and executed by hanging.

In 1983, the jail closed, and the building was later converted to a women's centre.Read more