HM Pentridge Prison

HM Prison Pentridge was built in 1851 and closed on May 1 1997 in Coburg. HM Prison Pentridge was Victoria's main gaol and was split into like A - Short and long-term prisoners of good behavior, B - Long-term prisoners with behavior problems and Jika Jika. Jika Jika, opened in 1980 was a 'gaol within a gaol' maximum security section, designed to house Victoria's hardest and longest serving prisoners.. HM Prison Pentridge had a number of knicknames including simply Pentridge, The Bluestone College, Coburg College or the College of Knowledge. The grave site of bushranger Ned Kelly lies within the former walls of Pentridge Prison while Ronald Ryan's remains have been returned to his family. The front gate area remains. Pentridge Prison 2002 > 2002-2012 - The sale of Pentridge Following the sale by the Victorian Government, Pentridge is split into two sites, Pentridge Coburg and Pentridge Village. In 2007, Pentridge Coburg changed hands. During this time, the old Pentridge Stockade area to the east of what is now Stockade Avenue is developed into housing, leaving the Pentridge Piazza (old mustering yard) and all the bluestone heritage buildings in need of maintenance, restoration and reactivation. 2013 - A new vision for Pentridge Shayher Group purchases Pentridge Coburg, with the vision and intent to reactivate the site and open up Pentridge and its heritage buildings to the local community. 2013 - The end of J Division J Division, a modern addition to the prison and once home to juvenile offenders and long-term prisoners with good behaviour records, is demolished. 2016 - Pentridge opens its doors The Pentridge Open Day is held with an estimated 8,000 locals visiting Pentridge, the first time many have seen the prison since its closure. 2020 - A new era at Pentridge begins Pentridge opens to the public, beginning a new chapter for the former prison site. Ghost Sighting at Chopper Read's Cell An unexplained figure has been sighted at Pentridge Prison D Division near Chopper Read's old cell. The apparition was sighted by a tour group and described as leaning against the wall, with his leg up and smoking a cigarette. When our tour guides and security guard went to investigate, he simply vanished. However, it was unexplained screams coming from the same cell that have made worldwide news headlines. On Sunday 18th May 2014, Tour Guide Jeremy Kewley (Lantern Ghost Tours) was taking a group of guests through Pentridge Prison when the group heard a spinechilling shout "GET OUT"echo through the corridors. Read Story