HM Prison Geelong facts for kids
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| Location | Geelong, Victoria |
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| Coordinates | 38°9′14″S 144°21′56″E / 38.15389°S 144.36556°E |
| Status | Closed |
| Security class | Maximum (male) |
| Capacity | 86 |
| Opened | 1864 |
| Closed | 1991 |
| Managed by | Corrections Victoria |
HM Prison Geelong was an old prison in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. It was a maximum security prison, meaning it held serious offenders. The prison was built a long time ago, between 1849 and 1864. It was designed like Pentonville Prison in England. This design, called a panopticon, allowed guards to see many cells from one central spot. The prison closed in 1991. Today, it is a museum where people can learn about its past.
The Story of Geelong Prison
The Geelong Prison was built by the very prisoners who would later live there. They even slept on special barges in Corio Bay while working. The main building has three floors and is shaped like a cross. Different parts of the building were used for cells, offices, a kitchen, a hospital, and a workshop.
During and after World War II, the Australian Army used the prison. It became a place to hold soldiers who had broken rules.
From Prison to Museum
The government decided to close the prison in 1991. All the prisoners were moved to a newer prison called HM Prison Barwon in Lara. After it closed, the old Geelong Prison became a museum.
The museum is open to visitors on weekends and during school holidays. Most of the prison looks just like it did when it was open. One special place to see is Cell 47. A prisoner painted a mural on its wall called Window of Freedom.
Is the Old Geelong Gaol Haunted?
Many people now call the prison the "Old Geelong Gaol." Some visitors believe the gaol might be haunted. Several groups who study paranormal events have visited the site to investigate these stories.
