George Pell likely to be jailed with former friend, notorious paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale

Cardinal George Pell is likely to be housed in the same prison as former friend and notorious paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale. Key points: Pell could be sent to a jail known for housing convicted sex offenders and criminals with "special needs" The Hopkins facility in Ararat also houses Pell's former housemate, paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale Victoria's Corrections Department says its priority is ensuring prisoner safety The ABC understands the Victorian Department of Corrections considers the Hopkins Correctional Centre in Ararat, 200 kilometres west of Melbourne, to be the most appropriate place to send the high-profile cleric. Corrections Victoria regularly houses its most "at-risk" prisoners at Hopkins and the prison population consists largely of convicted sex offenders and criminals requiring "special needs". Ararat's Hopkins Correctional Centre is in the same region as Ballarat where Cardinal Pell attended school and served as a priest.