The foundation stone for Singapore’s first civil prison was laid a short distance from here on 6th February 1847. The prison was officially known as H.M. (Her Majesty’s) Prison, but was probably better known as ‘Outram Prison’. Built by Captain C.E. Faber based on plans from J.T. Thomson, the laying of the stone was undertaken in conjunction with the 27th anniversary of the British Settlement in colonial Singapore. Prior to its establishment, the only regular prison facility was at Bras Brasah Road, where an average of 1,100 to 2,000 convicts was accommodated within semi-permanent attap and wooden dormitory type buildings.
After it was opened, Outram Prison served as Singapore’s only large prison facility until Changi Prison was built in 1936. From then on, the main function of the prison was to house prisoners in remand while Changi Prison was assigned prisoners who had committed more severe crimes and were serving harsher sentences.
The first regular female prison in Singapore was also located within the main wings of Outram Prison. In addition, there were detention blocks for both vagrants (e.g. the homeless and beggars) and young offenders considered too dangerous to be held at a boys’ home. It was also the first major prison facility in Singapore to use single cells to enhance security.
The prison was also once the site for the public execution of prisoners. One of the more significant executions carried out was the public execution of mutineers from the Sepoy Mutiny of 1915. A total of 96 mutineers, including two Indian officers, were shot. Their leader, Kassim Mansoor, was hanged. This was witnessed by thousands from all communities living in Singapore.
During the Second World War, while many European prisoners-of-war were imprisoned in Changi Prison, local civilians were interned in Outram Prison. It became the site for abuses and atrocities committed by the invading Japanese army. This led to the incrimination and eventual execution of a number of Japanese soldiers during the post-war years for war crimes.
It was eventually demolished in 1968 and replaced by a residential estate built by the Housing Development Board (HDB) and known as Outram Park today.