Melbourne Gaol

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Australian Prisons
Melbourne Gaol
Location:	Melbourne, Victoria
Status:	Museum
Classification:	?
Capacity:	?
Opened:	1860-1864
Closed:	1926
Managed by:	?

Image:Melbourne Gaol demolition.jpg Melbourne Gaol (more commonly known as The Old Melbourne Gaol) is a prison located in Russell Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It consists of a bluestone building and courtyard and is located next to the old City Police Station and City Courts buildings (both now occupied by RMIT University).

Built in 1864 the gaol was the setting for 135 hangings, the most infamous being that of bushranger Ned Kelly in 1880. The jail was closed in 1926.

The building is currently a museum; it is rich in history and atmosphere, drawing thousands of tourists annually. The Gaol is open every day except Good Friday and Christmas, 9:30am-5:00pm. Special candlelight night tours can also be arranged and enhance the already spooky environment of the Gaol - reports of strange sights and sounds occur more often at night.

Melbourne Gaol is Victoria's oldest surviving penal establishment. It currently exhibits 19th century gaol life, including the death masks and memorabilia of some of Melbourne's most notorious criminals, including the death mask of Ned Kelly. A skull said to be Ned Kelly's was also on display for many years. Thieves stole the skull in 1978. It has never been recovered. Whether the skull actually was Kelly's in the first place is also in question.