HM Prison Risdon

Infobox Prison
prison_name = HM Prison Risdon


location = Risdon Vale, Tasmania
coordinates =
status = Operational
classification = Maximum Security
capacity = 280
opened = 1960
closed =
managed_by = Corrective Services
director =

HM Prison Risdon is a prison facility located in Risdon Vale, Tasmania, Australia. The prison is nicknamed "The Pink Palace". The prison was opened in 1960 when male prisoners moved from the Campbell Street Gaol in central Hobart. Female prisoners were moved to the Risdon complex three years later. When built, the buildings were painted pale pink, leading to the prison's nick-name 'the Pink Palace'. This Prison has now been renamed " Ron Barwick Minimum Security Prison " and houses only minimum security rated inmates. This original prison block was replaced by a new modern block immediately next-door, and this now bears the name H.M. Prison Risdon.

Controversy

In 1967 a fire started by prisoners almost totally destroyed the workshop complex. It was rebuilt with prison labour.

During a 4 month period of 1999, five men died whilst imprisoned at Risdon.

On 7 May 2005, male prisoners took prison officer Kenneth Hannah and several other inmates hostage to protest against poor conditions in the prison, demanding the resignation of Tasmanian Attorney-General Judy Jackson and the public servant in charge of prisons. The siege ended on May 9, 2005.

On 16 April 2006, Easter Sunday, prisoners took keys from a female prison officer and a 20 hour siege ensued ending the next day. The ostensible reason for the action was the quality of food served to inmates.

Tasmania's Attorney-General has called the prison an "appalling facility".

In August 2006, 14 Prison Officers from New Zealand and Victoria arrived in Hobart to aid the transition from the old Risdon Prison complex to the new one. The transition went smoothly. The new Risdon Prison houses maximum security inmates, within its Derwent, Huon, Franklin and Tamar Units. It also houses Medium Security inmates within a Medium Security compound in Rowallan, Sorell, Rosebery, Gordon, Kara, Barrington and Burbury Units. Each of these Medium Security Units can house 28 inmates.

Notable current and former prisoners

* Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read
* Martin Bryant
* John Marsden, writer (held for 1 day)
* Paul Smith, actor

ee also

* Risdon Women's Prison

External links

* [http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/archives/2001a_Monday7May2001.htm No Safe Place] "Four Corners" story on Risdon.