In Dec 1850 prisoners marched with armed warders from Melbourne Gaol ..to The Stockade Coburg which became the new prison. Formally established in 1851 and largely built by 1864, Pentridge Prison was the largest prison complex in Victoria. The extant buildings demonstrate the development of the penal system. Thank you, National Trust.
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Floor after floor of tiny cells
Front gate, Pentridge Prison
credit: TimeOut
The stockade was made of moveable logs, surrounded by poor fencing, so local residents were anxious about security. Even more urgently, the Victorian Gold Rush caused a population surge to 600,000+, leading to a rise in crime and the need for better gaols.
Until its closure in 1996, Pentridge held most of the state’s infamous criminals eg underworld figure Carl Williams and Kelly Gang members died there. In 1967, Ronald Ryan was convicted of murdering a Pentridge prison officer and was the last Victorian to be hanged.
The significance of those C19th prison buildings, derived from their monumental scale and rugged architecture, was typical of Victorian prisons. Especially the use of ashlar bluestone, largely quarried on site.
The next phase (1857-64) of Pentridge building completed the perimeter walls, administration building, Warders’ Residence and 4 Divisions. Prisons believed silence reformed prisoners so in Pentridge’s separate-and-silent system, prisoners were housed in cells for 23 hours/day. Talking was forbidden; prisoners were addressed by cell numbers. Silence was observed even at dinner, after which they were immediately sent back to their cells. An hour a day was allowed for inmates to be aired, carried out in Panopticons-exercise yards with an observation tower above the men.
Until its closure in 1996, Pentridge held most of the state’s infamous criminals eg underworld figure Carl Williams and Kelly Gang members died there. In 1967, Ronald Ryan was convicted of murdering a Pentridge prison officer and was the last Victorian to be hanged.
The significance of those C19th prison buildings, derived from their monumental scale and rugged architecture, was typical of Victorian prisons. Especially the use of ashlar bluestone, largely quarried on site.
The next phase (1857-64) of Pentridge building completed the perimeter walls, administration building, Warders’ Residence and 4 Divisions. Prisons believed silence reformed prisoners so in Pentridge’s separate-and-silent system, prisoners were housed in cells for 23 hours/day. Talking was forbidden; prisoners were addressed by cell numbers. Silence was observed even at dinner, after which they were immediately sent back to their cells. An hour a day was allowed for inmates to be aired, carried out in Panopticons-exercise yards with an observation tower above the men.
Floor after floor of tiny cells
supervised by guards walking up and down the concrete corridors
As a result of the 1870 Stawell Royal Commission, a wide work programme started with different industries at Pentridge eg woollen mill, tailors shop, blacksmith, carpentry and a timber yard. Was this part of prison reform or to make some money to fund the prison services?`
Building of a new cell block building was completed (1887-94) in the northern prison grounds and used as a female prison. Completely segregated from the male prison, this D Division had a female Governor and female prison guards. Following a series of escapes which displayed the lack of security at Pentridge, a section was sealed off to create a new, maximum security section known as H Division in 1958. H division took the state’s most violent, dangerous prisoners.
Now visitors can explore the former, notorious Divisions via scary ghost-tours and family-friendly tours. During a 2014 ghost tour, Pentridge visitors claimed they heard Mark Chopper Read, the brutal crim who used bolt cutters and blow torches to amputate his victims’ toes and ears. Tour guides have even called police and security in the past, to search D Division where 11 prisoners were hanged.
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Building of a new cell block building was completed (1887-94) in the northern prison grounds and used as a female prison. Completely segregated from the male prison, this D Division had a female Governor and female prison guards. Following a series of escapes which displayed the lack of security at Pentridge, a section was sealed off to create a new, maximum security section known as H Division in 1958. H division took the state’s most violent, dangerous prisoners.
Now visitors can explore the former, notorious Divisions via scary ghost-tours and family-friendly tours. During a 2014 ghost tour, Pentridge visitors claimed they heard Mark Chopper Read, the brutal crim who used bolt cutters and blow torches to amputate his victims’ toes and ears. Tour guides have even called police and security in the past, to search D Division where 11 prisoners were hanged.
An original cell
boiling hot in summer, freezing cold in winter
LesterLost
The conditions within were outdated and inhumane, with prisoners provided only a blanket, horsehair sleeping mat and a urine bucket. So the prison officially closed in May 1997 and most prisoners were relocated to HM Prison Barwon. A purpose-built women’s prison, Fairlea, was then built in Fairfield. The state government sold the prison in 1999 to developers.
Later purchased by the Shayher Group, the derelict site’s cultural significance survived and the bluestone walls lived. In creating a place that recognises the importance of Pentridge’s past, the Conservation Management Plan organised the physical environment and the Heritage Interpretation Masterplan organised the history. Tours were launched in 2023, looking inside B Division, a Panopticon reflection garden, A and H Divisions and the Rock Breaking Yards.
Later purchased by the Shayher Group, the derelict site’s cultural significance survived and the bluestone walls lived. In creating a place that recognises the importance of Pentridge’s past, the Conservation Management Plan organised the physical environment and the Heritage Interpretation Masterplan organised the history. Tours were launched in 2023, looking inside B Division, a Panopticon reflection garden, A and H Divisions and the Rock Breaking Yards.
A Division
still intact today
Credit: news.com.au
In 2007, Pentridge changed hands and was developed into housing, leaving the Pentridge’s old mustering yard and all the bluestone heritage buildings needing restoration. Deeply connected to the cultural fabric of Australia, this is a place that confronts us. The histories are deep, unique and expose the intricacies of prison punishment, so when parts of Pentridge were turned into luxury flats, they had to ensure that history wouldn’t be demolished along with some of the bluestone walls.
Pentridge Cellars are in the D Division building and the execution wing has been turned into a new dining hotspot. The dining precinct left intact some of the site’s key heritage features eg solitary confinement cells. But the bar, restaurant, brewery and laneway precinct are far away from chained prisoners and bloody brutality.
Pentridge Cellars are in the D Division building and the execution wing has been turned into a new dining hotspot. The dining precinct left intact some of the site’s key heritage features eg solitary confinement cells. But the bar, restaurant, brewery and laneway precinct are far away from chained prisoners and bloody brutality.
suite in the Interlude Hotel,
made from cells opened up
credit: The Interlude
The 19 suites in The Interlude Hotel were created by knocking through the thick bluestone walls to link 4-5 cells together. Given the thickness of the walls, it took many months to create each suite. Each room may be too dark and claustrophobic, but the facilities are splendid, the swimming pool is inviting and the hotel’s Olivine Wine Bar (2023) has seating for 120 people in booths cut into bluestone walls. It is split between a central atrium with soaring passageways once patrolled by guards, and cells that now have green velvet banquettes, art and a wine cellar.
Olivine Wine Bar, Pentridge
credit: Concrete Playground
Summary Re-using its heritage architecture, D Division of the old HM Prison Pentridge has been carefully preserved to respect its past. Built between 1887-94, its austere classic style and bluestone walls are awesome. The hotel, cellars and flats protect the architectural heritage and history, and now a museum is being planned.