Pell likely to spend prison sentence in 'protection' prison for paedophiles

EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict.

Cardinal George Pell is likely to serve his prison sentence in the specialised “protection” prison for sex offenders in the Victorian town of Ararat, which already houses a number of fellow members of the cloth also convicted of paedophilia, including his old housemate Gerald Ridsdale.

In the wake of his conviction being upheld by the Court of Appeal, Pell will now undergo an intensive review by Correction Victoria’s Sentence Management Unit, which will include an interview where he will be able to express a preference for where he serves his six year sentence.

A cell at Hopkins Correctional Facility.Credit: Chris Vedelago

As both a high-profile figure and child sex offender, Pell is at serious risk of violence from other inmates because in the prison hierarchy, paedophiles are regarded as “the lowest of the low” and are routinely threatened with beatings and stabbings.

Pell is being held in a high-security protection unit in the Melbourne Assessment Prison where, for his own safety, he is required to spend 23 hours a day in his cell.

Among his immediate neighbours in the MAP protection unit is Bourke Street killer James Gargasoulas, who is currently serving a life sentence with a non-parole period of 46 years but has not yet been moved to other prison accommodation due to the medical requirements of treating his drug-induced schizophrenia.

Given his “protection” status, there are only two prisons in Victoria where Pell would be able to serve his sentence in relative safety without being similarly confined to a lockdown unit.

Notorious paedophile Gerald Ridsdale, and George Pell outside of the magistrates court in 1993.Credit: Geoff Ampt

Sources say that Pell is likely to be transferred to the Hopkins Correctional Centre, a medium security facility in Ararat whose 762 inmates are overwhelmingly sex offenders and others, including corrupt police, who have to be isolated from the general prison population.

There is also a significant cohort of priests and brothers serving time for child sex offences at Hopkins, including notorious paedophile and former Pell associate Gerald Ridsdale.

Pell famously escorted Ridsdale to the magistrates court when he was facing sexual abuse allegations in 1993.

Hopkins has single, double and triple-bed accommodation and cottage-style housing.

The pool at Hopkins Correctional Facility.Credit: Chris Vedelago

There is also a specialised onsite medical unit for treating aged and infirm inmates. The prison also has a footy oval, BBQ facilities, basketball courts and pools.

Fit prisoners are expected to work in several factories on the property manufacturing vehicle number plates, woodworking and screen printing.

Another potential option is Langi Kal Kal Prison, a minimum security unit of 428 prisoners situated halfway between Ballarat and Ararat where protection prisoners are also held.

Pell will not be eligible for parole until 2022.

The corridors at Hopkins, where many high-risk prisoners are kept. Credit: Chris Vedelago

The Department of Justice and Community Safety said Corrections Victoria does not discuss individual prisoners or placements for privacy and security reasons.

“Corrections authorities conduct rigorous security and risk assessments on anyone coming into the prison system to ensure their placement is safe and secure,” a spokesman said.

“Prisoner placements are regularly monitored and reviewed, and may be modified where an assessment finds their risk and individual requirements have changed.”

If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or beyondblue 1300 224 636.