HM Prison Risdon
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| Location | Risdon Vale, Tasmania |
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| Status | Operational |
| Security class | Maximum Security |
| Capacity | 280 |
| Opened | 1960 |
| Managed by | Corrective Services |
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HM Prison Risdon is a jail in Risdon Vale, Tasmania, Australia. Dubbed The Pink Palace, it was opened in 1960 when male prisoners moved from the Campbell Street Gaol in central Hobart. Female prisoners were moved to the complex three years later. When built, the buildings were painted pale pink, leading to the prison's nickname. It has now been renamed "Ron Barwick Minimum Security Prison" and houses only low-risk inmates. The original prison block was replaced by a new modern block immediately next door, and this now bears the name H.M. Prison Risdon.[citation needed]
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[edit] Controversy
In 1967 a fire started by prisoners almost totally destroyed the workshop complex. It was rebuilt with prison labour.
During a four-month period in 1999, five men died while imprisoned at Risdon.
On May 7, 2005, male prisoners took prison officer Kenneth Hannah and several other inmates hostage to protest against poor conditions, 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 April 16, 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.
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 jail houses maximum security inmates, within its Derwent, Huon, Franklin and Tamar units. It also houses medium security inmates in Rowallan, Sorell, Rosebery, Gordon, Kara, Barrington and Burbury units. Each of these units can house 28 inmates.
[edit] Notable current and former prisoners
- Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read
- Martin Bryant
- John Marsden, writer (held for 1 day)
- Paul Smith, actor
- Bob Brown, politician
- Nathan Jones, Actor
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- No Safe Place Four Corners story on Risdon.
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