HM Prison Loddon

HM Prison Loddon is an Australian medium security prison, located in Central Victoria, Australia, approximately four kilometres from the centre of Castlemaine and about one and a half hours from Melbourne.Loddon is a campus style prison, within a secure perimeter, providing accommodation for 280 medium security prisoners. The landscaped grounds, modern buildings and wide range of programs and activities provide an environment and facilities which, as closely as possible, resembles those available in the general community.Drug-free policyLoddon was established as a drug-free prison from 1 July 1993. Additional procedures are in place to enforce the drug-free policy and to encourage prisoners to remain drug-free.Prisoners at a drug-free prison must: Agree to undergo regular and random urine testing and participate in programs, as decided upon with case managers. Any prisoner at Loddon who tests positive to drugs or alcohol or refuses a urine test will be transferred immediately, as will any prisoner who is found guilty of a prison offence related to drugs or alcohol.Release of gorse spider miteIn 1998 as part of a biocontrol program, the gorse spider mite was first released on this site to control gorse .