Pentridge Prison in Melbourne’s inner-north was one of the most imposing and feared complexes, housing some of the country’s most notorious inmates, including Ned Kelly, Mark ‘Chopper’ Read and the Russell St bombers.
Surprising then, that it was also the location for one of Australia’s most random radio stations.
The prison allowed an inmate to DJ on a contained radio network for their fellow detainees to listen through headphones connected to the cell wall or through ceiling-mounted speakers.
As of this week, the entire Pentridge Prison music catalogue – almost 2000 records – belongs to Joshua Smith, owner of the beloved Footscray Records. From Joni Mitchell and The Carpenters, the soundtrack from HAIR the musical to the more darkly humorous, The Inmates and The Electric Chairs, it appears Pentridge prisoners had some eclectic tastes.
The prison closed in 1997, and now houses a swanky shopping centre, a cinema, and apartments. But over its years of operation, it seemed life behind bars was made slightly less difficult because of the music collection.
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