Coronavirus (COVID-19) information
All personal visits to adult prisons are currently suspended.
Personal visits will resume on advice from health authorities, and we will keep prisoners and visitors updated.
Prisoners have increased access to phone and video calls, emails and letters. See the Contacting a prisoner page for information.
If you are a legal practitioner or professional service provider, please refer to the Professional phone and video calls page.
Please see Our response to coronavirus (COVID-19) page for information on other measures that Corrections Victoria is taking to protect the health and wellbeing of prisoners and staff.
The latest on coronarvirus (COVID-19) is available on the Department of Health and Human Services website (External link).
The below information is specific to Hopkins Correctional Centre.
Hopkins Correctional Centre provides accommodation for sentenced and unsentenced prisoners with protection requirements in an open campus environment, combining community-style prison design with the Better Living Model (an innovative case management model for prisoner management).
Hopkins balances community protection with prisoner rehabilitation and the need to reduce reoffending via a range of reintegration programs, educational and employment opportunities.
All prisoners capable of work are employed full-time and are allocated to an industry area such as wooden products, screen printing, metal fabrication, number plates printing, laundry, kitchen and general maintenance.
Please also refer to contacting a prisoner for current information on how to have contact with a prisoner.
Getting there
Hopkins Correctional Centre (HCC) is located 200 kilometres west of Melbourne in the Grampians region.
Public transport
Take the Melbourne to Ararat train from Southern Cross Station. Sometimes this train service changes to a coach at Ballarat, then continues onto Ararat.
The Saturday 8.08am train and Sunday 8.28am train connect with a bus service to HCC.
Always confirm timetables with V/Line (External link) before you travel.
Car
From Melbourne
If driving from Melbourne, take the Western Highway A8 to Ararat. until you cross the railway line as you are coming into Ararat.
As you come into Ararat, immediately after crossing the railway line there will be a large roundabout. Turn right onto High Street.
Once through the roundabout take the first right into Alfred Street (go over the railway line). Turn right into Grano Street and travel approximately four kilometres.
The prison is located on the right. Enter through Gate 2.
Note: Google Maps directs you to use Warrayatkin Road. This is not the preferred route as it is a dirt road and often unsafe.
From Ararat Railway Station
If travelling from Ararat Railway Station, turn left onto the Western Highway.
After approximately 500m, turn left into Albert Street.
At the roundabout take the fourth exit onto Grano Street. Travel along Grano Street for approximately four kilometres.
The prison is located on the right. Enter through Gate 2.
Parking
Visitor car parking can be accessed via Gate 2 and visitors are able to park in the carpark to the left.
Visiting times
To visit a prisoner, you must be on their approved list (refer to contacting a prisoner for current information for prison visitors). Once you are on the list, you can visit during the times below.
It is recommended that you phone the prison before you visit. Read Hopkins Correctional Centre Visitor Information.
Processing for visits commences at 9.00am. You must have checked into the prison gatehouse prior to 2.30pm.
Contact and non-contact visits
Visits are held in the HCC Visit Centre inside the prison during the following times:
- Saturday: 9.00am - 3.15pm
- Sunday: 9.00am - 3.15pm
Child visits are held within the same hours. Anyone unsure about visiting with children is advised to ring Hopkins for further information prior to attending the prison.
There are no visits on Melbourne Cup Day, Christmas Day or Good Friday. Visits on all other public holidays will be at the General Manager's discretion.
Prison profile
Security level
Medium protection prison
Operational capacity
762 (30 June 2019)
Accommodation
Hopkins provides medium security accommodation for prisoners with protection requirements, including single, double and triple-bed accommodation, cottage accommodation, a unit for aged, and medically infirm prisoners, as well as eight beds for offenders on continued detention.
History
Hopkins Correctional Centre (previously known as Ararat Prison) was opened in 1967, replacing the century-old Ballarat Gaol. Built at an initial cost of $1.25 million. Hopkins Correctional Centre underwent a major expansion which was officially opened by the Minister for Corrections on 15 October 2015.