The History
Pentridge Prison, located in Coburg Victoria, was built in 1850 and has housed some of Australia’s most violent and famous criminals including Ned Kelly and ‘Chopper’ Read. It was originally built to relieve pressure from the Old Melbourne Gaol. The initial buildings were constructed in poor fashion.
… A man of ordinary strength could push out the weatherboards with a single thrust of his arm. The shingles may be poked off the roof with a stick from the inside. If the flooring boards are lifted, the whole gang could walk out, for the building is in piles some feet from the ground and below the floor is not enclosed.
The Argus, 5 December 1850
In 1857 a newer more robust prison began construction, the complex was surrounded by a six-metre-high wall which included living quarters for staff, a hospital, a farm plot and industrial areas for prison workers, workshops, separate female prisoner quarters and an underground cell block known as ‘C’ Division which had the smallest and worst ventilated cells of the prison.
Hangings were performed in ‘D’ Division which housed a large cell where the condemned would spend their last night. The room was larger to accommodate an overseer to ensure the prisoner did not commit suicide, no visitors were allowed save for a priest or chaplain.
The prison was partially closed in 1997, and fully closed in 1999. Part of the prison was sold to developers who have since constructed housing in the grounds within the existing walls.
The Hauntings
Hauntings have been reported by many ex-staff of the prison and many visitors to the area. The most noted account of hauntings comes from Karen Linstrom who was the governor of the prison.
The encounter happened in ‘D’ Division during an episode where a male prisoner had tried to take his own life by slashing his wrists. Linstrom, among others, was trying to stop the flow of blood as the prisoner has already lost a life-threatening amount. The Senior Prison Officer ordered Linstrom to run upstairs to call 000 and get an ETA on an awaiting ambulance.
As Linstrom ran up the stairs she was frozen, hit by an ice wall, the air around her became chilled and she could see her own breath in the air, even though it was summer at the time. Linstrom managed to ascend the final steps but when she turned around to look behind her, she saw a fog that turned into the shape of a woman. She described the woman as having the look of someone who had gone through many traumas and had aged before her time. She could even see the sorrow in the woman’s blue eyes. The apparition disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
Investigation Report
The Paranormal Research Australia team have not investigated this site. No conclusions can be made at this time.
