Hopkins Correctional Centre is an Australian medium security protection prison for males, located in Ararat,

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Victoria (Australia), a state of the Commonwealth of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, provincial capital of British Columbia, Canada * Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory * Victoria, Seychelle ...

, approximately west of

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...

. The centre is operated by

Corrections Victoria Corrections Victoria is part of the Department of Justice and Community Safety in the Victorian Government, and is responsible for the provision of custodial and community-based services as an important element of the criminal justice system in ...

, part of the

Department of Justice A justice ministry, ministry of justice, or department of justice is a ministry or other government agency in charge of the administration of justice. The ministry or department is often headed by a minister of justice (minister for justice in a ...

of the

Victorian Government The Victoria State Government, also referred to as just the Victorian Government, is the state-level authority for Victoria, Australia. Like all state governments, it is formed by three independent branches: the executive, the judicial, and th ...

. The centre accepts prisoners convicted of an indictable offence under Victorian and/or Commonwealth legislation, including a high proportion of

sex offenders A sex offender (sexual offender, sex abuser, or sexual abuser) is a person who has committed a sex crime. What constitutes a sex crime differs by culture and legal jurisdiction. The majority of convicted sex offenders have convictions for crime ...

and protection or special needs prisoners.

History

Initially known as HM Ararat Prison, the prison was opened in 1967, replacing the century-old

Ballarat Gaol The Ballarat Gaol, a former maximum security prison for males, females and children, is located in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. Replacing temporary structures including prison hulks in the Bay of Port Phillip and holding yards in Ballarat, ...

. Built at an initial cost of 1.25 million, an ongoing redevelopment program has included a new external security fence, new kitchen and mess room, major industries complex, new accommodation and program areas, and a new visit centre. In November 2011, the Minister for Corrections and for Crime Prevention, Andrew McIntosh announced that the name of the centre would change to the Hopkins Correctional Centre in recognition of the major contribution made to its operation by the local community. The opportunity was taken to rename the prison as part of the project to add 350 beds to the complex, which was due to be completed in December 2012. A new transition centre has opened, accommodating 40 beds. The facility was expected to add an additional 150 jobs to the region, adding to the existing 160 full-time staff at the centre. The extension was officially opened on 15 October 2015. The

Hopkins River The Hopkins River, a perennial river of the Glenelg Hopkins catchment, is located in the Western District of Victoria, Australia. Course and features The Hopkins River rises below Telegraph Hill near , and flows generally south, joined by twe ...

is located in the area surrounding Ararat.

Notable prisoners

Brian Keith Jones Brian Keith Jones (born 1947), formerly known as Brendan John Megson and Whispen, is an Australian sex offender who was convicted of the abduction and sexual assault of six male children between 1979 and 1980. Jones was given the nickname Mr ...

also known as ''Mr Baldy'', originally released on parole July 2005. * Michael Glennon, convicted child molester, died there on 1 January 2014

References

1967 establishments in Australia Ararat, Victoria Prisons in Victoria (Australia) {{VictoriaAU-struct-stub