H.M. Melbourne's Pentridge prison

I'm interested to no of they still do tour or no anyone that can get us in for a look inside?

Omg those doors don't remember the brown ones, didn't have them in b annex.
Just the heavy black ones - thick, cold, final.
Cannot believe anyone would willingly want to live there

My dad died in that prison. They use to drug him up on dilactol because he use to stand up for himself and try stop 5 screws from beating him when they had nothing better to do. He died on the 30th March 1987, not long before he was due for release. He was left laying on his dirty cell floor for two days. He's autopsy was carried out on the 15th October 1987, 6 months after we burried him. Rigamortis had set in by the time he was laid to rest and he's autopsy report reads "cerebral neoplasm secondary to epileptic seizure". Funny, he was on dilactol which is a very strong sedative, difficult to fit on and he had a fractured skull, black eye and missing teeth. Coroner must have missed all that. I'd like to see what the men who actually lived through this hell have to say about the inhumane treatment they recieved and like my dad always said "products of society" I'd also like to meet the screws who are far more heartless and evil then any prisoner that ever served time there. People should not live where other were brutally attacked physically and mentally.

most of the screws were worse than the crims gutless mongrels bashings in packs most were weak poms with no heart

oh, and brad, the only reason u got shipped around so much is that u asked to be put into protective custody and u we're a petty thief. U never ever did serious time. In the grand scheme of things, ur a pimple on a pumpkin who really has nothing to brag about. Why anyone would think being in jail is something to brag about anyway is beyond me.

look out dazza of brissy, the original bad arse brad bonica had said ur full of shit! Big words coming from a woman bashing drug addict who cried ever time he was sentenced and pleaded with mummy and daddy to get him out, cause he was too scared the big bad men might get him! Yep brad ur well known, not for being a big time crook, but a big time sook who couldn't punch his way out of a paper bag! Ur a douche!

Pats what a load of rubbish bags of bones, dogs not entering D Div and bodies forgotten in cells what are you a fiction writer ?

Pentridge as it currently stands: D division has been converted into a wine cellar, B and E division stand derelict and thankfully heritage protected. The end triangular section at the end of D Division is to be made into a memorial garden. However, Ned Kelly's grave along with 33 others was located on the left hand side of D division. This grave was found after a construction worker on the site was killed on the exact same spot as the mass grave. Heavy machinery which fell on top of the deceased worker was dug out and the remains were found. Ironically, the surname of the deceased worker was Kelly. There is now an apartment block being built over the grave site. F Division is being renovated into office blocks and in the basement of F Division remains of a 10 year old boy were located in a cell, forgotten for over a 100 years. Also bags of human bones were located in F division. No-one knows the identity of these remains and when or how they perished.
H Division still stands in its glory. Occasionally, the rear entrance will be left unlocked. One side of H Division is available for public inspection. You can see the metal traps at the bottom where meals were served. The industry section has been converted into apartments. The nurses accommodation has been converted into a reception centre. The metro reception area has been turned into a restaurant/cafe. Most of the buildings near the front gate lay derelict and waiting for impending (shameful) redevelopment. I am a Forensic Pathologist and have had a long history associating with the deeds of those who were sent to Pentridge, along with the deeds of those committed whilst they were in Pentridge. I must not forget the copious amounts of suicides which occurred within those walls. Pentridge is a model of the English penal system of segregation. It should be preserved as part of Melbourne's cultural (if not dark) heritage. As for those 'psychic' amongst us: Pentridge is a peaceful place and it does not emit any eerie vibes. I admit a couple of Rottweilers refused to enter H Division but I have never experienced anything creepy or 'spiritual' there. I think people imagine these things.

interested in all the posts....some took me back a long long ways...to 1981 as a screw in the metro jail, D, F division, jika and G division there until just after the jika riots...could never express the impact of working life in the jail was for me...entrenched in my soul...im shattered it has been closed down...

sorry dazza-brizzy but i think your full of shit you might have done 2 years but theres no way you spent two years in one cell not in d division the box writer would never let it happen i spent 86 87 88 on remand and im here to tell you that i had at least 15 diferent cells its just the way the place worked every time you went to court you would loose your cell and cellmate from there you would apply for a cell change to get back with your mate they didnt care where they put you you sound like you know alotabout nothing why dont you talk about some of the things that happened there like when i stood in activities and watched some of my freinds die in the jika fire of 87 or mabee when paul kremmen climbed up on the roof in88 and kicked in all the windows in the dome on the roof or mabee the time king richared and johny parlmer were going to run in to 2 yard and take on all 90 crooks why because they were mad the jails not scary it was the crooks that lived there thats wwhat made pentridge .i just got out again this time from mrc and all the old crooks still say send us back to pentridge it was our home away from home and i miss it

The photos do bring back memories especally cell 67 as that was the 4 outer that was in fact the death cell it had the wall knocked down between it and 67a as the door was never to be opened again this I know after spending nearly 2 yrs on remand 94-96 in cell 68 located in d division in fact have spent time in E div when they were 20 bed dorms b div when it was B transit for morwell wron wron etc last year on the way back from adelaide to bris stopped in and managed to get around E div to the old visit area between E and the main gate I remember D div had a series of yards shaped like a wedge they were 1 yard remand 2 yard sentanced 3 yard which was for 23 hour lock ups and then 4/5 yard which was for rock spiders I think they did something smart like make pegs then there was f yard that used to be the old f dorms 60 beds per dorm years ago I was surprised that you took a picture of 67 door but didnt take a pic of the old hanging trap behind you as it was only 6 steps from the door to the centre of the trap, D div nice place to look at in the last moments of your life if you look on google earth behind D you will see a small triangle area on the north/east corner that is where they buried you they took you from the rope through the D hospital and into the ground funny I remember standing on the muster line in D and directly under the trap was a drain grate built into the floor ah the memories

Having read as many books I could find on the place, I was lucky to finally tour Pentridge just after it closed down. I am a psychic and I can tell you that I have never felt such bad energy in all my life. It took me about 2 weeks to finally get the feeling of that place off me. The worst energy was in the psych unit, in particular Julian Knights cell. I struggled to even enter that building, and i felt suffocated by the evil and dark energy in there. Jika Jika also had a very bad effect on me as a psychic. The feeling was of despair, desperation and anger. I was frightened in there and refused to enter a few of the cells.
I am so glad I got to tour the prison before it was knocked down. I had been facinated by it for years, but to actually go inside and experience the "vibe" has made me realise what a hellhole that place was. I dont know how anyone can live on that site, as a psychic, i would NEVER build a house on that ground.

hi there just had a look at your photos and it made the memorries flood back then i saw my old cell no136 one of many i was put in in the late 80s.i remember one night i saw some goose get his head stuck in the trap they slimed him up with butter to get his head back in.i to broke back in back in 2007 i took about 8 people with me i gave them my version of a tour i even pointed out where ned was .but its not very smart to take photos of crime in action so i didnt even think of that whis i had i wanted to get caught for that b&e just to see the look on the beaks face and bernies face would have been worth a look to.what a shame the old place is gone i have done time since it closed and all i heard was send us back to pentrige and i agree.doing time just isnt the same!!!!!!!!.brad

RONNIE HOGAN

My dad (died when I was 5) apparently spent some time there with his cousin, anyone who has any info could they please contact me via Email: sgambt@hotmail.com

I worked @ Pentridge for 10 years mainly in what you have called the Infirnary, and i dont care about the quality of the photo's it all brought back so many memories.it seems like nothing has changed since the last days in 1997 thanks.

so there are people here leaving comments that have actually spent time in pentridge?????
does anyone here know the name robert parslow then?

We have a Pentridge door food trap, similar to the one in the photo in photo gallery. We are interested in the value of this item. ?

Yes Adam you are right that there were many Rock spiders in pentridge but not in any Division that i spent time as you seem to know they were a protected speaces so for those that realy know the mainstream population didnt get anywere near child sex offenders so adam kepp ya hand of of it as if you had of been there then you would know it wasnt hjard 2 get 2 who ever you wanted to 2 so does that mean the rope is for you also as crime is crimebut with such insight to whatv you have left as a comment then i spose you are right ......!!!!!!!!!! NOT!!!!!!!!

Dot i know Miss Merlo she had such a hard time over the book she wrote she stood up for what she thought was right i sugest you read the book H Division Auther Doug robbinson that a Division Miss Merlo didnt get to serve as an officer in i was there when she was employed in D Division but H Division realy says what prison was like at least as i knew it. Lumpy.

I suggest to everyone who reads this to get the book "SCREW" Observations and revelations of a prison officer. By Pat Merlo. Hudson publications. This true account of the real goings on within the correctional services should be read by everyone remotely interested in justice and Pentridge. I know all the facts contained within this autobiography are totally true with documents to prove all allegations within this well written book.

As long as H Division is pulled down who cares i spent many a long night in that HELL hole i was glad to see the back of it when it closed down in 94

Hi Adam,

You say you live in the redevelopment? What parts are still intact? Is the original H-Division still there, and if so what is it being used for now? I would be interested to know what original parts still remain undeveloped.
thanks,

I spent time in the place. As I see it open it and the others like it once more. No rights just time to think about the children you raped and murdered, the elderly raped and murdered, the innocent young girls raped and murdered, the children abducted never to be seen again. Yeah I got 2 rock spiders got caught in I went. All these f88king metro sexual reformists who want to rehabilitate prisoners look at what they have done. Bring back the rope. And if you think I'm oh so horrible... Lady taxi driver at work one night in Bris. Her next fare murdered her. The 2 children she had went from model A students to model Z students. He was allowed to complete High school then Uni. Counseling for the boy and girl??? Nothing! Support?? Nothing! But oh yes we must consider the welfare of the prisoner. Give me a call and I'll tell you what these bastards have done and continue to do. Harley
Valid points for somewhere else maybe????? What all that has to do with the re-development I don't know...

hey harley Rider
mate, i agree, its sickening that our society lets this happen.
In the UK, prisoners who rape and murder have the joy of playing playstation in prision, and they get to complete uni degrees and the like
But, this site isnt about that
anyways
i do agree

I spent time in the place. As I see it open it and the others like it once more. No rights just time to think about the children you raped and murdered, the elderly raped and murdered, the inocent young girls raped and murdered, the children abducted never to be seen again. Yeah I got 2 rock spiders got caught in I went. All these f88king metro sexual reformists who want to rehabilitate prisoners look at what they have done. Bring back the rope. And if you think I'm oh so horrible... Lady taxi driver at work one night in Bris. Her next fare murdered her. The 2 children she had went from model A students to model Z students. He was allowed to complete High school then Uni. Counselling for the boy and girl??? Nothing! Support?? Nothing! But oh yes we must consider the welfare of the prisoner. Give me a call and I'll tell you what these bastards have done and continue to do. Harley

hey andy williams
sounds like you have it right
is it true about the motion sensors, patrols etc
I would love to watch a sunset from the tower
XD

yes there will be a museum in side a certain part of the prison

I would like to access information re. an employee at Pentridge Stockade (Female) at around 1918-1919. Would be appreciated. Denise

On the three "stairway" picture we may see a 10 souls of ghost's who hunt this place... at night > Nice cath forbidden-places

I live in Pentridge. And it has not been destroyed as all you nay sayers say it has or will be. I live in the bootery and it is Heratidge Listed and very difficult to do anything to this place without heratidge say so. I love this place just as much as all of you that have commented previously and am so happy to be able to live here and it's not just wasted space!.. I have a guards tower in my back yard along with a 20 something foot bluestone wall. I drive through a beautiful bluestone arch to get in to where I live and have an 1800's building across a bolarded lane that I live in. I can spend Sunday afternoons on top of the guards tower, basking in the sun light, looking out across Melbourne city and surrounding suburbs. Now I realise that it's been 5 years since the original comments. So hopefully you don't feel that way anymore. The better part of Pentridge is still the same as it was for the last hundred years. And I believe it will stay that way. Especially now that it's heratidge listed. I say bring Pentridge back into our lives. Don't just leave it to rot away and disappear from both memory, history and landscape.

I've heard rumours that the front part of Pentridge is going to be reopened as a museum, or at least opened for visitors. Just wondering if anyone else has any info on this?

I am a Coburg resident & I thought it would be a shame to lose the bluestone buildings. I am happy to say most of it has been left. There is a wonderful cafe/restaurant (Della Rose or Delle Rose) just near D Division on Urquhart Street and it has a lovely feel believe it or not. You are sitting amongst blue stone in the most magnificent rose garden. Staff wear prison stripes and the food is good. There is a fountain in one of the gardens. Most of the buildings are of historical interest and I couldn't imagine them being demolished.

I was hoping that I could get some information on how to access old records. On researching our family tree I have discovered that my grandfather's brother Albert Ristuccia, was a boxer in Melbourne in the 1920's, and he served some time in Pentridge Prison. I am trying to fill in the gaps in my family's history and would be grateful for any assistance, thanks

I am a teacher of Reiki. In May 1992, I was one of a small number of folk from outside who went into Pentridge to train a group of prisoners in our practice. It was a transformational experience for both prisoners and ourselves. During our visit, we were given the run of the cell block and prisoners even showed us over their cells, and talked about their lives behind bars. We had a unique experience for people from outside the walls. What a grim place! I will never forget! Now that the place is closed, it is great to have the chance to explore again.

i was there for four years,79/83.took part in the moomba festival,i was the 2nd juror in the play 12 angry men. we won that year from what i can remember. a division. j div. then to morwell river.back to d div.then to ararat.then back to d. b glad 2 hear from anyone who was there @ th time.

Its now become housing

Can anyone tell me if there was a riot at Pentridge 1965/66?

Does anyone know if H division has been demolished?

could somebody tell me where in Melbourne Pentridge is located

total shame this place got closed down, so much potential for hotel or a musem or even just leave it open in memory of what it was. i remember the tour i went on with my school amd all teh stories and history that was told. biggest mistake in history to demolish this large piace of melbourns history. if advitised correctly.... could have made alot of money and brought alot of people to the northern suberbs. once again. DAMN SHAME. whoever authorised the demolition and who ever had the stupid idea, should be locked up for life.

i would realy like to no are you digging up all graves is so i wont to no about rege isacc he is very important to me
i realy need to no thank you chris attwell 0397505544 or 0400763030

to visit my friends in 97 just before it closed down. they were doing 8 years there

was recently lucky enough to be given a brief tour of a certain division(12/10/07)and it has been bought by an italian group who will be storing expensive wines there with 24 hour security,but hope to open a small part as a tourist attraction,and will be transforming the rest into fancy apartments and gardens with fountains and fine cafes ,quite a transformation,over 10 years they say they will be spending millions of dollars,and if you look from the outside you can see it is already underway,i wil be looking out for a chance to visit again in the near future,maybe they should open up more like the old melbourne jail

a lot of memories looking st your pics,i had a lot of friends that were there all of them good people in one way or another, its such a shame ! the blue stone motel was a huge part of history....they should have left it well enough alone !...great site

Hi, how can I download these photos?

im really dissapointed in seeing there's hardly anything left of pentridge i think it's wrong they shouldnt have been able to touch the building what ever happend to old melbourne the whole lot of old buildings seem to be getting knocked and houses built whats going to happen to melbourne's old history but great photo's guys did you's actually get permission to go in there i would have loved to have gone in there but doesnt look like ill get the chance now there's nothing really there anymore!!

I know, these photos are disappointing, their quality is quite bad. I will regret it for a long time... One year later, with my current photos skills, the results would be much better... I guess I will not have a second chance of going back there again...

i cant put into words how excited i was to see that you had explored pentridge. especially so recent. shame about the fact there isnt as many photos, but still, such a pleasure to get to see the ones you took. really, really, awesome.