You are now approaching HM Prison Geelong, which will be on your left. Look out for the imposing, gothic-style gatehouse made of grey bluestone-it almost looks like it could be part of an old castle! You’ll see a large archway with a keystone, flanked by flags and high, red-brick walls on either side. Above the archway, there are barred windows, which give you a hint of its former function as a prison.
Now, let's talk about HM Prison Geelong!
Built between 1849 and 1864, HM Prison Geelong was constructed based on the Panopticon design, similar to Pentonville Prison in England. The idea was to allow a central guard to see all the prisoners without them seeing him. Talk about having eyes in the back of your head!
This place has quite the history. Initially a maximum security prison, it was later used for various purposes, including as an industrial school for girls, a hospital gaol, and even as an army detention barracks during and after World War II. The prisoners who built it lived on high-security barges on Corio Bay.
The prison closed its doors in 1991, and the inmates were transferred to HM Prison Barwon. Today, it stands as a museum where you can explore its chilling history. The three-story cruciform building is practically a time capsule; with east and west wings for cells, a north wing as an administration block, and a south wing as a kitchen and hospital.
One of the major highlights of the museum includes the gallows exhibit, which recreates the 1863 hanging of James Murphy, convicted of battering a constable to death. You can also find Cell 47, adorned with a mural titled "Window of Freedom," painted by a former inmate.
Some notable inmates who spent time here include Angus Murray, a gangster associate, and the infamous bushranger Frank McCallum, alias Captain Melville. In more recent times, the prison even served as a filming location for films and TV shows like "Everynight... Everynight" and "Total Drama Presents: The Ridonculous Race."
In 2021, buildings from the 1970s were removed to restore a more historic look to the site. The gaol is now open to the public on weekends and during school holidays, offering guided tours to those brave enough to explore its dark and intriguing past.
So, are you ready to step inside and experience a piece of Geelong's grim history? Don't worry, they won't be booking you in for an extended stay!
