There have been various riots at Fremantle Prison, and other disturbances, over the years that it was operational. Fremantle Prison was built using convict labour during the 1850s, based on the design of Pentonville Gaol, and was used as the maximum security prison for male offenders in Western Australia. While there were some reforms following Royal Commissions in 1898−99 and 1911, significant changes to the operation of Fremantle Prison did not begin until the 1960s. One of the earliest incidents was in 1854, while major riots which occurred in 1968 and 1988 resulted in damage to the prison.