The first time I stumbled upon Muzium Penjara in Malacca, I was caught off guard. I had been to the city many times before, yet I had never even heard of it. For the longest time, I thought Pudu Jail in Kuala Lumpur was the only prison-turned-museum in Malaysia. So when I saw the sign for the prison museum, my curiosity was instantly piqued.
Unfortunately, it was already closed for the day, and I could only peek from the outside. I remember telling myself then that on my next trip, I had to make time for it. And true enough, on my following visit to Malacca, I finally stepped inside. To make things even better, my timing was spot on. Coinciding with Prison Day, the museum was offering free entry for the entire month.
About Malaysia Prison Museum
Originally built around 1860 by Governor Colonel Cavenagh as HM Prison Jail, this building served multiple roles over the years: a juvenile facility known as Henry Gurney School from 1964, and later Bandar Hilir Prison from 1990, before transforming into the museum we visit today.
The museum officially opened on 20 November 2014, in a ceremony led by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Melaka, Mohd Khalil Yaakob. Interestingly, the museum also participates in special events like International Museum Day. In 2024, they joined the festival with an exhibit titled The Untold Story of 1786 Prison, sharing the deeper origins of Malaysia’s penal history.
Location
Jalan Parameswara, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka — just minutes from A Famosa and Dataran Pahlawan. It’s an easy drive from Ayer Keroh or central Bandar Hilir. There’s free parking for visitors and plenty of paid parking spaces nearby.
Operating hours
Tuesday – Sunday, 9am – 5pm (ticket counter closes at 4:30pm); closed on Mondays and during Hari Raya Aidilfitri/Adha.
Admission fee
Adults
- RM 3 (Malaysians)
- RM 6 (Non-Malaysians)
Children (7-12 years old)
- RM 1 (Malaysians)
- RM 3 (Non-Malaysians)
Children (under 6 years old) & people with disabilities: Free
What to expect
When you first enter, the staff will take a photo of you, which you can later buy as a souvenir at the end of your visit. I went on a weekend, which also happened to be Prison Day, so I’m not sure if this service is available every day, but it definitely adds a fun and memorable touch to the experience.
After that, you’re free to explore on your own. It’s a self-guided tour, but you won’t feel lost. The museum is filled with explanatory texts, photos, and exhibits that walk you through each section in detail. You can take your time and go at your own pace.
The tour begins with the warden’s room. Here, a mannequin “warden” sits at a desk as if waiting for you to register. On the desk, you’ll find actual prison registration log books on display, the same type used in the past. I suppose this setup is intentionally done to give you the feeling of really being admitted into prison.
From there, you walk through a pathway lined with texts and graphics explaining the procedures that new inmates go through when first entering prison. This includes body checks for hidden contraband, with very frank descriptions of how officers check for items concealed in bodily orifices.
On the walls are photos of actual contraband items that people tried to smuggle in. Some of the stories are shocking, including cases where substances hidden inside inmates’ bodies led to their deaths and were only discovered during the post-mortem.
Next is the holding cell (lock-up), used for those awaiting trial. Visitors are allowed to step inside and even take photos here. There are life-size cutouts of prisoners where you can put your face through for a funny picture.
The route then takes you to the visitation area, where inmates would meet their families. The room is separated by glass and wire mesh, and conversations had to take place through telephones on either side of the divider. Standing there, it’s easy to imagine how difficult and emotional those visits must have been.
Further along, you’ll see the bathing area, where there was no such thing as privacy. Right after that is the prison workshop, which shows how inmates were taught useful skills like sewing, carpentry, or other trades to prepare them for reintegration into life after release.
The most striking section, of course, is the actual prison cells. You can step into ordinary cells as well as solitary and high-security ones. They’re cramped, bare, and austere, with the infamous buckets displayed — used by prisoners as commodes inside their cells.
Upstairs is where things get even heavier: the execution area. This section includes the rooms for caning and hanging. You’ll see the trapdoor mechanism and the room below where the bodies were prepared afterwards, including the bathing process for Muslim inmates before burial.
In certain rooms, photos and videos are strictly not allowed, out of respect for the gravity of what took place here. The museum also explains, step by step, the official procedures carried out before and during executions of death row prisoners. A sobering but very educational read.
Throughout the museum, you’ll also see exhibits of prisoners’ uniforms, wardens’ uniforms, and the actual tools used in executions. Lining the walls are framed artworks drawn by former prisoners, offering a glimpse into their emotions and inner lives while serving time.
Jail-themed cafe
When you’re done, don’t miss the jail-themed café next door, Kopi Jail. It’s a quirky spot to grab a drink and some snacks after the rather intense museum visit, and it ties the whole experience together.
Final thoughts
Muzium Penjara Malaysia offers more than history. It provides perspective and a deeper understanding of how prisons worked, the realities of inmate life, and the role of prison officers.
What really surprised me was how big and complete this museum is. Unlike some government-funded museums in Malaysia that can feel a little half-hearted, this one is thorough, well-documented, and thoughtfully curated, ensuring that you get more than just a superficial look at the prison system.
If you’re ever in Melaka and curious to see a different side of Malaysian history, this is one of those places where you learn something real. And while you’re here, don’t stop at the prison museum — check out my Malacca travel guide, Malacca food guide, and the rest of my blog for more destination ideas, hidden gems, and practical travel tips around Malaysia.
