Coronavirus (COVID-19) information
All personal visits to adult prisons are suspended from Saturday 21 March 2020.
While personal visits are suspended, prisoners will have increased access to phone calls. Prisoners and visitors are also encouraged to write letters.
Personal visits will resume on advice from health authorities, and we will keep prisoners and visitors updated.
Please see Our response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) page for more information.
The latest on Coronarvirus (COVID-19) is available on the Department of Health and Human Services website (External link).
Request a professional phone call.
Note: the email address below is the Corrections Victoria general email; the prison does not have its own general email address.
The below information is specific to Hopkins Correctional Centre.
A recent expansion of HCC has been completed, making HCC one of the first prisons in Victoria to combine community-style prison design with the Better Living Model, an innovative case management model for prisoner management.
These changes in design and custodial practice balance community protection with prisoner rehabilitation and the need to reduce reoffending. At HCC, 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.
The Project Summary (External link) provides an overview of the expansion project and its contractual and commercial aspects.
Please also refer to the general information about visiting a prisoner which is the same for all prisons in Victoria. This includes details of how to arrange to visit a prisoner for the first time, what identification you will need to take with you and what you cannot take into prisons.
Getting there
Hopkins Correctional Centre (HCC) is located 200 kilometres west of Melbourne in the Grampians region.
Car
From Melbourne, take the Western Highway A8 until you cross the railway line as you are coming into Ararat. Immediately after this you will come to a large roundabout where you need to go 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.
If travelling by 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 3 and visitors are able to park in the carpark to the left once they have entered the gate.
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 Hopkins Correctional Centre. Always confirm timetables with V/Line before you travel.
Visiting times
To visit a prisoner, you must be on their approved list (refer to Arranging a visit in the general 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 on Saturdays and Sundays during the following times.
| Saturday | 9.00am - 3.15pm |
| Sunday | 9.00am - 3.15pm |
Child visits are held within the same time frame. 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 recently underwent a major expansion which was officially opened by the Minister for Corrections on 15 October 2015.