Over the years, killers, thugs and everyday crooks have left their mark on Brisbane. They've also, quite literally, left their mark on the Boggo Road Gaol.
There are at least 600 pieces of graffiti etched, scribbled or drawn on the Dutton Park prison's walls and yards.
They tell the tales of men longing for life on the outside, those who accepted their fate and others who made no sense at all.
Griffith criminology PhD student Belinda Costanzo has studied the works closely and will be hosting monthly graffiti tours of the gaol.
Ms Costanzo said she identified three key themes in the graffiti - resistance, identity and coping.
"The main thing is although being physically closed off they were still well aware of issues on the outside. Some have quite a bit of significance to the 1980s in Queensland," she said.
"There's a lot around land rights for Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders, the Expo 88 and a few on rooftop protests.
"There was also a lot around identity - so names and relationships to people on the outside."
Ms Costanzo said there were also works which showcased inmates' sense of humour.
"There's a couple, like 'Can someone call me a cab?' There's another where the door hinges are and it has dotted lines and the words 'cut here'," she said.
But there are others which are genuinely artistic, including a selection of coin-sized pieces which have intricate Indigenous-style patterning.
Boggo Road Gaol opened in 1883, and over generations gained a notorious reputation for the rough conditions its prisoners dealt with.
There were 42 executions by hanging, with the last occurring in 1913.
The infamous Number 2 division closed in 1989 and the Number 1 division closed three years later.
Ms Costanzo's graffiti tours begin from October 26. For details visit http://boggoroadgaol.ticketleap.com/graffiti-tour/
