Old Melbourne Gaol

Old Melbourne Gaol is a former prison in central Melbourne, Victoria, first constructed beginning in 1839 and operating as a gaol between 1845 and 1924. The bluestone complex sat within the city's justice and policing precinct, adjacent to the old City Police Watch House and City Courts buildings and opposite the Russell Street Police Headquarters. During its operation the gaol held and executed many prisoners — in total 133 people were hanged there — including historically prominent inmates such as bushranger Ned Kelly and Frederick Bailey Deeming. After formal closure as a prison in 1924, parts of the site were incorporated into RMIT University while other sections were adapted as a museum and tourist attraction. The supplied sources indicate the site was used briefly during World War II, but do not provide further detail on that period. The research notes provided contain no descriptions, eyewitness reports, or documented accounts of paranormal phenomena associated with Old Melbourne Gaol. No named spirits, apparition reports, poltergeist incidents, EVPs, or other supernatural claims appear in the supplied materials. Because the sources are silent on folklore or hauntings, this entry does not assert any paranormal occurrences beyond the documented historical and cultural significance of the site as a major penal institution and heritage tourist site.