HM Prison Pentridge

Can you imagine walking amongst these walls that once held some of Australia’s most notorious criminals? To your left stands the building known as H Division, a high-security zone where some of the most dangerous men in the country were kept. Imagine the stories the stones could tell if they could speak. HM Prison Pentridge, nicknamed “The Bluestone College,” was built in 1850 just north of Melbourne. It was isolated and imposing. The prison’s stark bluestone walls, built from the same stone quarry that prisoners would have worked in, are testament to hard labor and the unforgiving nature of imprisonment. Over time, Pentridge was expanded, with additional layers of walls and security zones added to hold more prisoners. While it housed thousands of men over its 147 years, it also held some of the most notable criminals in Australian history, including Ned Kelly, Mark “Chopper” Read, and Peter Dupas. Pentridge was more than just a prison. It was a place of change, a reflection of the complexities of the human condition. The prisoners, hardened by their experiences, were given opportunities to learn and work. Although it may seem surprising, inmates were entrusted with the task of building the road from Melbourne to Sydney. They were also involved in production worksites, adding a sense of purpose and structure to their lives. Today, only a small part of the original prison remains, a stark reminder of its former purpose. But the story of HM Prison Pentridge continues to be told, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the complexities of justice, and the harsh realities of prison life.