History of Pentridge Prison

Pentridge Prison, officially known as HM Prison Pentridge, was a major correctional facility in Coburg, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria,…

By Staff , in Places , at October 25, 2024 Tags: melbourne, prisons

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Pentridge Prison, officially known as HM Prison Pentridge, was a major correctional facility in Coburg, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Known for its imposing bluestone walls, Pentridge was notorious for housing some of Australia’s most infamous criminals. It operated for over a century before closing in 1997, and it now serves as a significant historical and cultural site.

Early History and Establishment
Established: Pentridge Prison was established in 1851, during the period of the Victorian gold rush, which had led to a significant increase in the population of Melbourne and a corresponding rise in crime.
Initial Purpose: Originally intended as a temporary holding facility, Pentridge quickly expanded into a permanent prison due to overcrowding in Melbourne’s primary jail on Russell Street.
The prison was named Pentridge after the nearby village, which later became known as Coburg. The construction began with simple wooden structures, but in 1858, a permanent structure was built using the characteristic bluestone, which became synonymous with its intimidating aesthetic.

Architecture and Layout
The prison’s architecture was designed with a utilitarian and imposing style typical of Victorian-era prisons. It consisted of several separate divisions, each with different functions and levels of security:

A Division (H Division): Known for housing hardened criminals and political prisoners, including anti-war protesters in the 1970s.
B Division: Held maximum-security inmates, including many of the most dangerous prisoners in the facility.
D Division: Served as the main holding area for prisoners facing capital punishment.
F Division: Housed female prisoners for a period until a separate women’s prison was established elsewhere.

Pentridge was initially designed to embody the harshness of penal philosophy, where inmates faced strict discipline, hard labor, and little to no rehabilitation services. The prison’s facilities included solitary confinement cells, labor yards, and later on, gallows for executions.

Life Inside Pentridge
Prison life in Pentridge was known to be brutal, especially in the early years when prisoners were subjected to hard labor such as quarrying bluestone, working in prison industries, and other back-breaking tasks. Discipline was enforced through a strict regime, and punishments included solitary confinement and the use of corporal punishment.

H Division: Perhaps the most infamous part of Pentridge, H Division was reserved for the toughest criminals and those requiring maximum security. It was a place of extreme punishment, where inmates were isolated and subjected to brutal conditions. H Division became synonymous with physical abuse and intimidation, as inmates faced systematic beatings and punishment from guards. H Division’s harshness led to numerous investigations and public outcry, especially during the later 20th century.

Notable Prisoners
Over its history, Pentridge housed many of Australia’s most notorious criminals, including:
Ned Kelly: The infamous Australian bushranger, executed by hanging in 1880. His remains were interred at Pentridge for many years after being exhumed from the original Melbourne Gaol.
Chopper Read: One of Australia’s most infamous career criminals, Mark “Chopper” Read spent time in Pentridge and wrote books about his criminal exploits and life in prison, some of which became popular in Australian culture.
Ronald Ryan: The last person to be legally executed in Australia. Ryan was hanged at Pentridge in 1967 after being convicted of killing a prison guard during an escape attempt. His execution sparked widespread controversy and protests, ultimately contributing to the abolition of the death penalty in Australia.

Changes and Reform Efforts
During the mid-20th century, as ideas around rehabilitation and prisoners’ rights gained traction, there were some efforts to reform conditions at Pentridge. However, the prison remained largely a place of punishment rather than rehabilitation until its closure.

Public Outcry: The conditions in H Division and other areas of Pentridge led to significant public criticism, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, with reports of systemic violence and abuse against prisoners.
Closure of H Division: H Division was eventually closed in the 1990s, shortly before the entire prison ceased operations.

Decline and Closure
By the 1980s and 1990s, Pentridge was considered outdated and unsuitable for modern correctional standards. The Australian government shifted toward a focus on rehabilitation, inmate rights, and more humane conditions, deeming the old infrastructure of Pentridge inadequate.

Closure Date: Pentridge Prison was officially closed in 1997. Inmates were transferred to newer, more modern correctional facilities designed with rehabilitation programs and better living conditions.
After its closure, Pentridge fell into disrepair, but it remained an iconic historical site due to its notorious past and significance in Victorian penal history.

Redevelopment and Historical Significance
Following the prison’s closure, the Victorian government approved a plan for redevelopment, leading to the transformation of Pentridge into a mixed-use site, with residential, retail, and historical elements. Today, the site includes preserved prison buildings, open spaces, and a museum, which attract tourists and locals interested in its storied history.

Historical Preservation: Some sections of the prison, such as the bluestone walls, cells, and the infamous H Division, were preserved as historical sites. Guided tours are now available, allowing visitors to experience what life was like within the prison.

Museum and Tours: The preserved sections of Pentridge serve as a museum, where people can view artifacts, cells, and areas associated with famous inmates like Ned Kelly and Ronald Ryan. Ghost tours and other historical tours are also popular, adding a layer of intrigue and horror to its historical significance.

Residential and Commercial Development: Sections of the prison site were converted into apartments, offices, and commercial spaces, integrating the old prison architecture into modern urban development.

Legacy
Pentridge Prison’s history reflects the evolution of Australia’s criminal justice system, from the harsh penal colonies of the 19th century to the modern emphasis on rehabilitation and humane treatment. Although notorious for its brutal conditions and infamous inmates, the prison’s story provides insight into the shifting philosophies in corrections and serves as a reminder of Australia’s past.

Today, HM Prison Pentridge is a heritage site, with parts of the structure preserved to educate the public about its role in Australian history. Its architectural significance, chilling atmosphere, and the stories of those who were held within its walls make it a unique and haunting landmark in Melbourne’s history.