Central Register of Male Prisoners 1850-1948

This series commenced as a register of prisoners received at Melbourne area prisons, including the Collingwood, Carlton and Williamstown stockades, the Eastern Gaol, the Hulks and Pentridge. It is uncertain where the record was located from 1850 c.1860, possibly Melbourne Gaol.

From c.1860 Pentridge became the central prison for the Melbourne area and unless the prisoner passed through Pentridge it is unlikely that there will be any reference to them in these records.

From this date the series was likely to have been located at Pentridge but was part of the Chief Secretary’s Department (and from 1871 the Penal and Gaols Branch) record keeping system and should not be considered a Pentridge record. It was created by the Department as part of its responsibility for the management of all prisons.

Photos commenced c. 1872 for prisoners sentenced longer than 6 months. Prisoners sentenced for shorted terms were not photographed. Photos were routinely taken when the prisoner was first received by the prison and just before release.

Details record in the Register include:
– prisoner number
– name
– photo (if long term)
– personal description (height, weight, hair colour)
– sentence
– date of conviction
– offence
– where and before whom tried
– particular marks
– previous history (e.g. whether married, known associates)
– prison
– when received
– offences, sentences
– extension to sentence.