former maximum-security prison in Victoria, Australia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
HM Prison Pentridge was an Australianprison built in 1850 in Coburg, Victoria. The first prisoners arrived in 1851. The prison was closed on 1 May 1997.[1]
Pentridge was often known by the nicknames "The Bluestone College", "Coburg College" or the "College of Knowledge". The grounds were originally landscaped by renowned landscape gardener Hugh Linaker.[2] Since closing, much of the prison has been pulled down to make way for a housing development. Large buildings have been built and a 16 floor modern apartment block is being planned.
The northern section of the prison being developed by Valad Property Group and the other areas by Pentridge Village. The National Trust does not like the development plans approved by Heritage Victoria. These plans include taking down sections of the outside walls and building apartments between the historic prison buildings.[3]
The prison was split into many divisions, named using letters of the alphabet.
A – Short and long–term prisoners of good behavior
B Long–term prisoners with behavior problems
C – Vagabonds and short term prisoners, where Ned Kelly was imprisoned (Demolished in 1976)
D – Remand prisoners waitng for trial
E – A dormitory division housing short term prisoners
F – Remand and short–term
G – Mental health problems
H – High security, discipline and protection
J – Young Offenders Group– Later for long–term with record of good behavior
Jika Jika – maximum security risk and for protection, later renamed K Division
Jika Jika high security unit
Jika Jika, opened in 1980 at a cost of AU$7 million. It was a 'gaol within a gaol', designed to hold Victoria's toughest and longest serving prisoners. It was awarded the 'Excellence in Concrete Award' by the Concrete Institute of Australia. It was closed after the deaths of five prisoners in 1987.[4]
Jika Jika had six separate units each at the end of radiating spines. It had electronic doors, closed–circuit television and remote locking. This meant it could use less staff but still have maximum security. The furnishings were sparse and prisoners exercised in escape proof yards.
In 1983 four prisoners escaped from ‘escape proof’ Jika Jika. When two prison officers were disciplined in relation to the Jika Jika escape a week–long strike occurred.
1987 Jika Jika prison fire
Inmates Robert Wright, Jimmy Loughnan, Arthur Gallagher, David McGauley and Ricky Morris – from one side of the unit – and Craig 'Slim' Minogue and three other inmates on the other side sealed off their section doors with a tennis net. Mattresses and other bedding were then stacked against the doors and set on fire.[5] They covered windows in the day room with paper so the prison officers could not see which prisoners caused the damage.
Prisoners Robert Wright, Jimmy Loughnan, Arthur Gallagher, David McGauley and Ricky Morris died in the fire. Convicted Russell Street bomberCraig Minogue and three other inmates survived as they were evacuated when the fire started.
The graves of executed prisoners were unmarked in a corner of the prison. In 1929, 32 bodies were moved from the Melbourne Gaol during the building of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. These graves were found in 2008. The skeleton of bushranger Ned Kelly was among those discovered.[6]
There were 11 executions at Pentridge. The gallows beam and the trapdoor were moved from the Melbourne Gaol and put into "D" Division in 1924.
When the gaol was closed, the beam and the trapdoor were taken back to the Melbourne Gaol to be part of its historical display.[16]
Last execution
Ronald Ryan was the last man executed at Pentridge Prison and in Australia.[15] Ryan was hanged in "D" Division at 8.00 on 3 February 1967. He had been convicted of murdering a prison officer during an escape from the same prison. Later that day, Ryan's body was buried in an unmarked grave within the "D" Division. There is still debate about his hanging.[17]
Dennis Allen, oldest member of the Pettingill family. (d. 1987)[18]
Garry David, (d. 1993), also known as Garry Webb, responsible for the Community Protection Act 1990[19]
Keith Faure, Convicted of murdering Lewis Caine and Lewis Moran with Evangelos Goussis during the Melbourne gangland killings.[21] He was also the basis for the character of Keithy George in the film Chopper
Christopher Dale Flannery, also known as "Mr Rent–a–Kill", hitman.[22]
Kevin Albert Joiner, murderer, shot dead trying to escape in 1952.[23][24]
1980 Gregory David Roberts (at the time known as Gregory Smith) – escaped in broad daylight with Trevor Jolly and subsequently went to India after a brief period in New Zealand [45]
1987 Dennis Mark Quinn – [47] Recaptured in New Zealand 19 days later
The front gate showing the "HM Prison Pentridge" sign is featured on the cover of Australian band Airbourne's debut album Runnin' Wild.[48]
Episode 2, Homecomings of the 1976 ABCTV adaption of Frank Hardy's Novel Power Without Glory features John West picking his brother Frank West up from Pentridge Prison after serving 12 years for rape.
The 1988 John Hillcoat and Evan English film "Ghosts... Of The Civil Dead" was largely based on events which occurred in Pentridge Prison's infamous Jika Jika Maximum Security prison during the lead up to the 1987 fire.
The 1994 Australian film Everynight ... Everynight details prison life inside Pentridge's H Division.[49]
The 2000 Andrew Dominik film "Chopper" was partially filmed in H Division.
"Offence against girl". Western Argus (Kalgoorlie, WA: 1916 - 1938). Kalgoorlie, WA: National Library of Australia. 4 October 1932. p.11. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
"Prison staff commended; escape foiled". The Canberra Times (ACT: 1926 - 1954). ACT: National Library of Australia. 16 April 1952. p.4. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
"Search for gaol escapee". The Canberra Times (ACT: 1926 - 1954). ACT: National Library of Australia. 20 November 1951. p.4. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
"Gaol escapee says he has reformed". The Canberra Times (ACT: 1926 - 1954). ACT: National Library of Australia. 23 November 1951. p.4. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
"Gaol escapee recaptured". The Canberra Times (ACT: 1926 - 1954). ACT: National Library of Australia. 19 December 1951. p.1. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
"Gaol escapee well guarded". The Canberra Times (ACT: 1926 - 1954). ACT: National Library of Australia. 20 December 1951. p.4. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
"Escaped from Pentridge". Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW: 1888 - 1954). Broken Hill, NSW: National Library of Australia. 4 July 1901. p.1. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
"Interstate". The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld.: 1866 - 1939). Brisbane, Qld.: National Library of Australia. 10 July 1926. p.30. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
"Broke out of jail". Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW: 1888 - 1954). Broken Hill, NSW: National Library of Australia. 17 July 1951. p.1. Retrieved 17 October 2011.