Full description
The H.M. Metropolitan Reception Prison was established under section 114 of the Community Welfare Services Act 1970. It was established in August 1984, when the southern portion H.M. Prison Pentridge (VA 863) was proclaimed as a separate prison.'A', 'B', 'E' and 'H' Divisions remained as Pentridge prison, while the 'D', 'F', 'G', 'J' and 'K' (or Jika Jika maximum security unit) Divisions formed the new reception prison. The prison acted as holding centre for prisoners prior to their classification and relocation to an appropriate prison or division within a prison.
'K' Division was ultimately closed in 1987 after a fire in the unit resulted in the deaths of five prisoners. The response of the Office of Corrections (VA 1063) to the inquest investigations prompted the Board of Inquiry to Enquire into Certain Matters Relating to the Office of Corrections (VA 4397) of 1989.
The prison was decommissioned as part of a major program of prison reform. When Pentridge closed in May 1997, the reception prison was closed shortly after and role of holding prisoners awaiting classification was delegated to H.M. Melbourne Assessment Prison (VA 4858).
Data time period:
[1984 TO 1997]
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