Slightly more bearable than a small concrete cell, the single ward of the Maitland Gaol ­hospital accommodated ­criminals suffering from a range of illnesses.

The hospital closed in 1998 along with the gaol, but will open on Sunday after 17 years in the form of an interpretive display.

“The gaol wasn’t a particularly nice place to spend your time, and if you were unwell you can only imagine how uncomfortable it would be,” Maitland Gaol co-ordinator Gordon Sauber said.

“It was no private room at one of today’s modern hospitals.”

The facility was made up of a single ward with seven standard beds and a single bed in an isolation room. 

There was also a clinic and pharmacy to handle daily medication and manage the methadone program.

A prisoner living inside the hospital was responsible for cleaning, meal preparation and keeping an eye on any prisoners housed overnight.

“Over the years, the hospital dealt with outbreaks of chickenpox and measles and anyone suffering severe flu symptoms or gastro,” Mr Sauber said.

“If emergencies arose, then the prisoner would often be taken to Maitland Hospital for treatment or transported to a more secure hospital, such as the Prince of Wales in Sydney.”

Terminally ill patients were moved to Long Bay Correctional Facility.

“The gaol has been closed for more than 17 years, so it will be a great chance to see the space come to life again,” Mr Sauber said.

Maitland and Kurri Kurri District hospitals donated beds and other items to bring the display to life.

“Tenambit Pharmacy has also been kind enough to lend us some items such as doctor’s bags and medicine bottles, which will complement the gaol’s own collection,” Mr Sauber said.

The display will be open as part of the Maitland Gaol Open Day on Sunday from 9am to 4pm. 

For more information visit maitlandgaol.com.au.