Prisoner of Melbourne: Pentridge Page 2

How we got there: We didn’t get to Pentridge by putting arsenic in the cooking pot – we took the train. From Flinders Street Station, take the Upfield train to Coburg Station. Exit the station on Bell Street and head east. Take a left on Sydney Road. Pentridge is a few blocks ahead, after the church, where Sydney Road changes to Champ Street.

According to a 2008 government report, violent crime in Australia has increased 9 percent since 1986 (the year Prisoner went off the air), comprising 47% of offenses but has remained steady at that rate since 1995. In that period since 1986, property crime has declined by 8 percent to 17% of all convictions.

Between Coburg Station and Pentridge you will marvel at the number and variety of medical clinics, including the Coburg Community Health Centre. Perhaps they are remnants of industries that provided services to the prison, which closed in 1997.

Travelers on the run can grab a tasty treat at Ferguson’s Bakery at the corner of Bell Street and Sydney Road. Who knew the Freak had a sweet tooth?