First published in The Age on November 29, 1997
Prison released from its life sentence
About 200 serving and retired prison officers yesterday bid a nostalgic farewell to the Pentridge Prison complex, now empty for the first time in 146 years.
Entrance of Pentridge Prison in 1981.Credit:The Age Archives
While Pentridge Prison was closed in May, the Metropolitan Reception Prison, including D division — where Ronald Ryan was hanged — G division and the notorious K division, formerly known as Jika Jika, had remained operational.
The prison was officially known as the Coburg Prisons Complex. Inmates were gradually transferred to the Barwon and Loddon public prisons and the new private prisons at Sale and Laverton.
The last prisoner to be transferred left on Tuesday.
Senior prison officer Ian Burchett chats with former prison chaplain Father Brosnan in the now closed D Division.Credit:Heath Missen
The state Minister for Corrections, Mr Bill McGrath, said the closure represented the final step in the transformation of Victoria’s prison system.
“The correctional reform program currently being undertaken in Victoria aims to deliver a system that provides improved service and standards, increased accountability and best value for the taxpayer dollar,” Mr McGrath said.
“The ultimate aim however is to protect the community and encourage offenders to adopt law abiding lifestyles.”
A senior prison officer, Mr Ian Burchett, who worked at the prison for more than 14 years, said the closure meant the loss of a great part of his life.
“Like any place you work in it becomes a significant part of your life and you are sad to see it go,” he said.
But Mr Burchett, who has come to know almost all of Victoria’s recent notorious criminals, said there was no doubt the facilities needed to be upgraded.
Father John Brosnan, the prison chaplain who administered Ronald Ryan’s last rites in February 1967, said he felt no sadness at the closure.
“For years and years I used to say that If we had unlimited resources the first thing I would do is bring in Whelan the Wrecker,” he said.
“So I couldn’t regret the passing of an era like this. It provided grossly substandard treatment for prisoners. I think we have to treat people decently.”
No decision has been made on the sites future.
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