In March 2023, Melbourne’s infamous and heritage listed Pentridge Prison will unlock its gates to new fully immersive tour experiences. In partnership with the National Trust Victoria and experiential design and technology company Art Processors, Pentridge Prison Tours will unearth its closely guarded secrets, dating back to the prison’s commencement in 1851.
Visitors will discover a scandalous history straight from the mouths of those who spent time inside the bluestone walls, putting first-hand accounts of inmates and prison officers in the spotlight through immersive audio and authentic exhibits.
Upon entry, visitors will pass through the towering bluestone walls and into the former Warders’ Residence where they will explore the site’s history through multimedia installations and presentations. From there, visitors will emerge into the prisons’ airing yard, where one of the National Trust’s expert guides will introduce the heritage listed site, and what it means to have a prison on Wurundjeri Country.
Pentridge’s complex history will unfold as the guides explore the intricacies of the prison’s past and call the prior practices of punishment into question. The new tours will not shy away from unsettling truths, forcing curious minds to confront the brutal lived experiences, including the disproportionate impact upon First Nations peoples. Hear stories narrated by the late Uncle Jack Charles, a former inmate of Pentridge Prison, and the articulate and moving Rachael Maza. From here, visitors can delve into two 90-minute tours exploring distinct divisions of the prison, B Division and H Division.
Within the original cells of B Division, visitors will go back to Pentridge’s stockade origins and journey from pre-colonial times through to the prison’s forced closure in 1997. Installations, cinematic soundscapes and original musical scores will set the stage for each visitor’s own personal immersive audio experience narrated by former inmates and prison officers.
B Division will also lead visitors into the panopticon, Pentridge’s ‘airing yards’, a circular shaped yard featuring a central observation tower from which the gaoler could observe the prisoners. One of only eight left in the world, Pentridge’s panopticon was designed as a place of repentance, where inmates would be swallowed in silence and isolation to mentally incarcerate them in their own thoughts.
H Division, known by the inmates as ‘Hell Division’ is the “dark heart” of Pentridge. This tour for more mature audiences of the high-security unit will be Pentridge Prison Tours’ most confronting experience for those wanting to engage with the truly secretive aspects of the prison’s history.
Visitors will hear the voices of former inmates, officers, lawyers and others whose lives were affected by the notorious H Division. As they walk through the largely untouched cells complete with inmate graffiti, visitors will be guided through some of Pentridge’s most notorious units, including the observation cells and the bluestone rock-breaking yards.
Known for their unique approach to enhancing visitor experiences through a combination of historical research and creative technology, Art Processors has created a truly human view of Pentridge’s history, putting the incarcerated at the centre of the experience, revealing the voices of those from inside and outside of Pentridge’s walls.
The new Pentridge Prison Tours experience doesn’t shy away from the frequently dark (and hidden) history of the place, exploring the complexities of the prison’s past and raising questions about changing views on punishment and incarceration. To enhance the experience public tours will never have any more than twenty people at a time on the tour therefore allowing visitors space for exploration, reflection, and response.
Simon Ambrose, CEO National Trust Victoria says “We cannot wait to open this area of Pentridge to the public and share the stories of what went on within these walls, ensuring that the true heritage of Pentridge is not forgotten nor ignored. Art Processors have been fantastic and instrumental in bringing these powerful stories to life in their rawest, most truthful form. They have managed to intertwine evocative and emotional audio experience with moments of silence to highlight the gravitas and significance of each inmates’ personal narrative. The National Trust, Victoria believes that for too long, these stories have been shrouded in mystery and although the past is confronting, it is crucial that we do not forget the realities of those who were incarcerated, and we respectfully learn and share their truths.”
Tickets for the guided tours with Pentridge Prison Tours will be on sale from February 23rd 2023, with the tours officially launching on the 1st March.
National Trust Members will receive exclusive early access and free entry to the Pentridge Prison Tours. ‘Members Only’ tickets will go live at the end of January for those with an active membership. Bookings essential.
Individual tours for either B or H Division will last approximately 1 ½ hours long and tours start from $35pp.
Tickets combining both B and H Division tours (recommended for 16+) can also be purchased for $60pp and will last approximately 3 hours
Tours will be available to book 7 days a week between 9:30am – 4:30pm and leave the Former Warders’ Residence every hour. Online bookings strongly recommended.
Night tours with Pentridge Prison Tours will also be available to book on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 6:30pm and 8:30pm. These will go a little further into the prison stories and are recommended for 18+
Pentridge Prison Tours will accommodate 8 guided tours per day with a maximum of 20 people per tour. Private group bookings can also be made.
