Ararat Gaol

Full description

Ararat Gaol was a high security gaol built for the Ararat Goldfields region. It was constructed from 1859 to 1861 and employed the Pentoville concept of prison design and prisoner reform, similar to that employed at the Pentridge Penal Establishment (VA 863) at the time. With the ending of the gold rush in the region, the Gaol was discontinued in 1886 and the building was repurposed by the Ararat Asylum (VA 2841) to hold 'criminally insane' patients. It became known as 'J Ward,' and continued this function until 1991.

Prior to the Gaol being built, two police lock-ups were proclaimed as the Ararat Gaol in October 1857 and August 1858, these proclamations were discontinued in 1862 once the new gaol was fully operational. After the closure of the gaol, a police lock-up was once again proclaimed as the Ararat Gaol in 1887 until it was discontinued 1932.

A new prison was constructed in Ararat in 1967. It is now known as Hopkins Correctional Centre (VA 5758).