The old sandstone C-Wing is attached to 5-Wing. Serious offenders as well as inmates who had to be protected from other inmates because of the types of crimes they committed were housed here. This was also the cell block where female convicts who were allowed to keep their young children with them were held. The second floor operated as a hospital and workshops in the early years.

One cell in particular has an extremely gruesome history. Darren Croese of the Newcastle branch of the Australian Ghosthunters Society wrote:

"Cell 4 in C Block at Maitland Gaol is affectionately known as 'Satan's Cell' and the story behind it is as remarkable as the name. The story is quite recent - surrounding events that are reputed to have taken place in 1989 - and is as follows:

A prisoner, allegedly a Satan worshiper, was confined in cell 4 in C Block where the walls of the cell still display some of his graffiti from his term there. Satanic rituals are reputed to have been performed routinely within the confines of his cell. He reportedly chose to end his life by self immolation - he set himself on fire after entering into some form of pact with the devil.

The details of the pact are sketchy, but can probably be guessed by the events that followed his death.

The prison guard assigned the unpleasant duty of cleaning out the cell and the prisoner's earthly remains is said to have been a level headed man. A family man. One not easily given to flights of fancy.

His blood drenched body was found later that night lying in a pool of his own blood on his bathroom floor. The bathroom mirror had been smashed and pieces had been used to lacerate his wrists and body. A final message was left in his own blood on the bathroom wall stating that his death had been necessary to prevent the unleashing of Satan's forces upon the earth. We are left to assume that Satan himself had tried to possess the guard - but the guard had sufficient willpower to hold him at bay until he could do the only thing he could to prevent it.

To this day the cell is kept padlocked just in case there is still something left in there waiting to come out."

Although there have been many reports of paranormal activity on the upper landing in cell 13, I found myself more drawn to cell 15. I thought I may have caught sight of a dark shadow entering the room and decided to check it out on my own. I spent a good fifteen minutes or so sitting in the tiny room reading some of the writing on the walls. I found one particular inmate had written the name of the southwest Sydney suburb he came from, and it just happens to be where I live today. Coincidence? Who knows but definitely very creepy!

I developed a really strong headache in that room which lasted a good couple of hours. When we returned that night I was too unnerved in that particular cell block to pay another visit to the room. Next time I plan to spend more time investigating that area of the gaol.

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