Risdon Prison Complex

Risdon Prison Complex

The Risdon Prison Complex, pictured during 2001–2006 construction
Location	Risdon Vale, Tasmania
Coordinates	42°48′43″S 147°20′24″E / 42.812°S 147.34°E / -42.812; 147.34Coordinates: 42°48′43″S 147°20′24″E / 42.812°S 147.34°E / -42.812; 147.34
Status	Operational
Security class	Medium to maximum
Capacity	280
Opened	November 1960
Managed by	Tasmanian Prison Service

Risdon Prison Complex, is an Australian medium to maximum security prison for males, is located in Risdon Vale near Hobart, Tasmania. The facility is operated by the Tasmanian Prison Service, an agency of the Department of Justice of the Government of Tasmania. The facility accepts criminals convicted under Tasmanian and/or Commonwealth legislation.

The complex comprises 219 maximum security cells for males; 84 medium security cells for males; and a 38-bed secure mental health unit called the Wilfred Lopes Centre for Forensic Mental Health. A separate 45-bed women's prison, called the Mary Hutchinson Women's Prison, is located adjacent to the Risdon Prison Complex. The complex was formerly known as H.M Prison Risdon

Correctional facilities at Risdon have been constructed in two phases, between 1956 and 1963, and again between 2001 and 2006.

A series of escapes from the Campbell Street Gaol, Hobart resulted in a 1943 Royal Commission into the H.M. Gaol Department. In 1949 the Gaols Department obtained by compulsory acquisition a 90 acres (36 ha) property on the eastern side of the Derwent River, not far from Risdon Cove where the initial European settlement of Tasmania occurred. In 1956, plans commenced to design the prison and construction was completed in 1960.

Facilities for female prisoners were completed in 1963, and inmates were moved from Campbell Street Gaol, resulting in closure of the Campbell Street Gaol. The new women's facility, initially known as Risdon Women's Prison, is now called the Mary Hutchinson Women's Prison.

In 1974, a low security unit, later called the Ron Barwick Medium Security Prison, was opened; accommodating 120 inmates at its peak. By 1981, declining numbers resulted in closure of the unit. The minimum security as re-opened in 1991 and closed again in 1997 on the grounds of economic viability. The medium security facility opened again, and closed in 2004 as part of the redevelopment of the whole complex. In 2007, the facility was reopened as a minimum security centre.