MY · Melaka · 2.19°N 102.26°E

malaysia prison museum

Graffitied cells, a gallows block and Pudu Jail's old gate inside Melaka's 1860 prison.

Best time
Any time of year. It's closed on Mondays and over the first days of Hari Raya.
How long
1–2 hours
Getting there
About 2 hours' drive from KL on the North–South Expressway via Ayer Keroh. It's on Jalan Parameswara in Banda Hilir, a 20-minute walk or a short Grab from the Stadthuys.
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MY · Melakamalaysia prison museum2.19°N 102.26°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Graffitied cells, a gallows block and Pudu Jail's old gate inside Melaka's 1860 prison.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingMalaysia Prison MuseumMY, Melaka
KLmalaysia prison museum
≈ 123 km from KL, as the crow flies
Malaisia Vanglamuuseum

Photo: Robert Treufeldt · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Melaka's old Banda Hilir jail, built by the British in 1860, opened as the Prisons Department's museum in 2014. You walk the real cell blocks, see the condemned block and its gallows, and pass a section of the gate saved from KL's Pudu Jail. It's grim in places and better for teenagers than toddlers.

Makan

  1. Nyonya foodAyam pongteh and Nyonya laksa at the Peranakan restaurants around the old town.Map ↗
  2. CendolShaved ice, coconut milk and gula Melaka at the Jonker Street stalls.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The cell blocksStep into narrow cells lit by one high barred window, still marked with prisoners' graffiti.Map ↗
  2. The gallowsThe condemned block, with a gallows built to hang three at once. No photos in this section.Map ↗
  3. Pudu Jail gateA section of the 1895 gate from KL's demolished Pudu Jail, set up behind the museum.Map ↗
  4. Contraband and the rotanDisplays on smuggling tricks, caning and how the prison service works today.Map ↗
  5. The prison craft shopHandicrafts made by inmates, for sale on the way out.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The gallows and caning displays are graphic; younger children may find them upsetting.
  • Park at the Prisons Department car park at the back.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.