Report of the Board of Inquiry into Allegations of Brutality and Ill Treatment at H.M.Prison Pentridge

This is the printed report of the results of the inquiry, completed by Kenneth Jenkinson QC in 1973–74.

It was donated to the museum together with a second report, Report of the Board of Inquiry into Several Matters Concerning H.M. Prison Pentridge and the Maintenance of Discipline in Prisons.

Board of Inquiry into Allegations of Brutality and Ill Treatment at H.M. Prison Pentridge*

The Governor in Council established the Board of Inquiry into Allegations of Brutality and Ill Treatment at H.M Prison, Pentridge on the 23 May 1972 and published in the Government Gazette on 24 May 1972. Kenneth Joseph Jenkinson, Q.C was appointed as the Board. This Board of Inquiry was sometimes referred to as the Jenkinson Inquiry.

The Terms of Reference for the Inquiry were

(a) Whether, since the 22nd May, 1970, prisoners at Her Majesty's Prison, Pentridge, have been subjected to brutality, or other form of ill-treatment by prison officers and, if so, upon the circumstances surrounding such treatment

(b) Whether the provisions of Part IV of the Social Welfare Act 1970 relating to -

(i) the maintenance of discipline in prisons

(ii) the formulation, hearing and determination of charges against prisoners

(iii) the punishment of prisoners for offences committed in prisons

should be amended in any and what respect and whether provision should be made for the representation of prisoners and prison officers at the hearing of charges

(c) Whether a further or different provision should be made for the remission, as an incentive to or reward for good conduct or industry, of sentences in respect of which a minimum term has been fixed.

The report of the results of this inquiry was to be completed by Kenneth Jenkinson Q.C., as soon as possible.

Sittings of the Board were held between the 7 June 1972 and 20 December 1972, on 73 days.

During the Inquiry the Board made a formal inspection of Her Majesty's Pentridge on two occasions. There were a number of times where the Board visited Pentridge to inspect documents and to view particular events. In January 1973 the Board inspected other prisons; Fairlea Female Prison, Morwell River Reforestation Prison, Won Won Reforestation Prison, Her Majesty's Prison, Brisbane and Her Majesty's Prison Wacol, which is near Brisbane.

One hundred and ninety one persons were examined; Appendix A of the first report of the Inquiry (located in VPRS 2963) provides a list in alphabetical order of the persons who appeared before the board. Appendix B of the same report provides a listing of each exhibit and a brief description of the exhibit which are arranged alphabetically. The exhibits are located in VPRS 17426

There were two reports published from this Board of Inquiry. The first report, "Report of the Board of Inquiry into Allegations of Brutality and Ill Treatment at H.M.Prison Pentridge" dated 9 February 1973 (located in VPRS 2963). The second report, "Report of the Board of Inquiry into Several Matters Concerning H.M. Prison Pentridge and the Maintenance of Discipline in Prisons" dated 2 April 1973 (located in VPRS 2954).

*Public Record Office Victoria

This document is available at PROV: VPRS 19301/C2 and can also be downloaded here: