In May 2014, Age journalist Carolyn Webb wrote an article about an archaeological dig then taking place on the former Pentridge Prison site in Coburg.
Adam Ford talking about the Panopticon Dig. I took this photo on 20 June 2014.
During the course of the dig Adam Ford (of 'Who's Been Sleeping in my House' fame) and his team unearthed the foundations of three rare panopticons that were shaped something like a cartwheel. One was in A Division, the other two in B Division.
Location of A Division panopticon on the Pentridge Masterplan.
Location of B Division pantopticons on the Pentridge Masterplan.
The ABC’s Matt Smith spoke to Adam Ford about these airing yards which were part of what was known as the separate system. They were based on the ideas of Jeremy Bentham, an English philospher and social reformer. You can hear Smith's interview here.
Prisoners were allowed outside into these yards for one hour a day. They were kept separate from one another and had to remain silent. The panopticons are very rare. You can listen to Matt Smith's podcast about the panopticons here.
These photos of the foundations of the A Division panopticon, still in good condition, close to the Murray Road perimeter of the site, were taken by me on 20 June 2014. It's such a shame that it is no longer there for the public to see.
And some views of the B Division panopticons.
I find it amazing that these pieces of wood survived.
That's St. Paul's Church in the background, so I was virtually facing west
when I took this one.
Looking south-east(ish) towards Pentridge Boulevard. I've been told that the x marks the spot where Ryan and Walker scaled the wall during their escape.
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