New tours from former Pentridge Prison warden bring crime stories to life

A former warden who mingled with criminals like Julian Knight and Mark “Chopper” Read is baring all in new tours run out of Coburg’s famous former prison. He gives us a taste of what visitors can expect, but be warned — it’s grisly.

Former Pentridge Prison warden Vaughn Ruddick has plenty of stories to tell. Picture: George Salpigtidis

From the chilling and heartless to the humorous side of Pentridge Prison, former warden Vaughn Ruddick saw it all.

A “screw” in the prison from 1978 to 1994, Mr Ruddick had no choice but to mingle with criminals such as Mark “Chopper” Read and self-mutilator Garry Webb.

Mr Ruddick said Hoddle St killer Julian Knight was one that stuck in his mind decades later.

“He was so proud of his crimes, he used to glisten just talking about it,” Mr Ruddick said.

“He was a good prisoner, he was a little guy with a mouth.”

Julian Knight in 1987 after killing seven people on Hoddle St. Picture: Michael Potter

After serving in the Vietnam War, Mr Ruddick said he took up a post at Pentridge because he was used to the uniform and it was good money.

Now he delivers 90-minute tours through the prison’s D Division for Pentridge Cellars.

One of Read’s former cells features on the tour.

Mr Ruddick remembered the infamous crim — who wrote his first book behind bars at Pentridge before his release in 1991 — as a joker who had a dark side.

Mark “Chopper” Read could famously tell a good story.

The former warden recalled his last meeting with “Chopper” including a tale where he and others killed then chopped up a former rival before attempting to burn the body.

The only issue being their burn took place on a day with a total fire ban, resulting in fire fighters dousing the blaze but not discovering its contents.

But as Mr Ruddick said, you couldn’t always believe Read’s stories.

A tour group is walked through the yards and cells where some of Australia’s worst criminals called home and under the spot where Ronald Ryan became the last man hanged in the nation.

Artwork remains on an abandoned prisoner yard. Picture: George Salpigtidis

The tales of the bluestone walls echo from Mr Ruddick, including the gruesome murder of Barry Quinn.

Quinn supposedly mocked Alex Tsakmakis in the prison in 1984, so according to Mr Ruddick, Tsakmakis got his revenge by dropping a bucket of flammable glue on Quinn’s head and burning him alive.

Mr Ruddock leads a tour. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“(Tsakmakis) put the bucket over Barry’s head and said ‘Goodbye Barry’ and lit him on fire,” he said.

“There’s still black marks on the ceiling where he burned.”

In the dog-eat-dog world of prison, Tsakmakis didn’t live long to celebrate his dark deed, as Russell St bomber Craig Minogue was waiting for him with a pillow case full of weights four years later.

MORE NEWS: MORELAND COUNCIL JOINS MEAT-FREE MONDAYS

PENTRIDGE DEVELOPERS FINED FOR MISSING AUDIT

HUNT ON FOR MISSING MOTORISED CENTAUR

REPORT RECOMMENDS SHIFT TO SUBSTATION PLAN

A quarter of a century after leaving his job at the prison, the Glenroy resident said the chance to “have a bit of bluster” continued to draw him back to the prison.

“I’ve always wanted to entertain,” he said.

Tours are held on site on Thursdays and Saturdays.