Pentonville Penitentiary is the local state prison where convicted felons are remanded and serve time.
History[]
Pentonville logo on side of transport van (2015)
Pentonville Prison was first mentioned in the early 1990s as the place where mobster Frank Smith was initially incarcerated. Later, it was revealed that Roy DiLucca had also spent over 20 years there after being presumed dead following a shooting in 1979.
In the summer of 2007, Jason Morgan faced the possibility of being sent to Pentonville while on trial for Lorenzo Alcazar's murder. Former inmates have included Diego Alcazar, for the drugging and rape of women in Port Charles, and Nikolas Cassadine, for the murder of his grandmother Helena Cassadine. She turned up alive, and Nikolas was released. In 2008, Scott Baldwin petitioned the judge to have Johnny Zacchara sent there for his son Logan Hayes' murder.
On May 10, 2010, Michael Corinthos was sentenced to five years for manslaughter after killing his stepmother Claudia Zacchara-Corinthos. Carter was an inmate serving time at Pentonville for a murder conviction, just like his cellmate Michael. From May to July, Michael was sexually assaulted and raped by Carter while inmates.
On May 13, Jason Morgan pleaded guilty to a class D felony in order to get sent to prison to protect Michael.
On June 18, Michael was released on parole and had to live with his brother, Dante Falconeri.
On June 22, Jason killed Carter in self-defense during a knife fight.
On August 16, Jason was released after Sonny Corinthos and Claire Walsh found a loophole in his plea bargain.
In 2011, Suzanne Stanwyck was sent to Pentonville after the kidnapping and switching of Brenda Barrett's son Alec Barrett (and her grandson) with Lucian Barrett.
In May 2012, Maxie Jones was sentenced to twenty years in prison without parole for the murder of Lisa Niles and first mate Lauren Briggs. Maxie takes the sentence as punishment for her cousin Robin's death, even though she confesses to Damian Spinelli that it was actually Matt Hunter who murdered Lisa and she is doing this to protect Patrick Drake and Emma Scorpio-Drake from losing anymore family. While in prison, Maxie is beaten up by her cellmate, "Tiny". Against Maxie's wishes, Spinelli then comes forward with the information and tells the courts that it was Matt and not Maxie that killed Lisa in order to get her out of jail. Maxie is hurt by this and vows to never forgive Spinelli.
Maxie is then released from prison, but only under the condition that she sign an affidavit, which would make her testify against Matt in exchange for her freedom. To get around this affidavit, Maxie marries Matt so that she does not have to testify against him. Matt however cannot live with what he did on his conscience when he remembers the night's events in full and he leaves Maxie on their uneventful wedding night to turn himself in. After Matt turns himself in, Maxie initially refuses to get a divorce but eventually she divorces Matt.
In June 2012, Matt was sentenced to five years in prison and was presumably released in June 2017.
Logo on the uniform (2022)
In 2015, Sonny Corinthos, Franco Baldwin, Julian Jerome, Ava Jerome, Madeline Reeves, and Johnny were all in Pentonville together. Sonny, Franco, Julian, and Ava end up escaping together.
On June 10, 2019, Harmony Miller falsely confessed to Hank Archer's crimes so he could go free. On June 14, Harmony was remanded to Pentonville and met Nelle Benson.
On June 12, 2019, after being transferred to Pentonville, Ryan Chamberlain woke up and realized his kidney was stolen but his rant fell on deaf ears. It was eventually revealed that Kevin Collins forged Ryan's signature and there was a conspiracy to steal Ryan's kidney and give it to Jordan Ashford. Eventually, Ryan met Nelle, whom he bonded with over their hatred for Carly Spencer and the fact that they each got a kidney stolen from them. Before that, Ryan asked Nelle if he knew her from somewhere.
On July 5, Jason posed as Harmony's lawyer so he could visit her in Pentonville and she learned that Shiloh was responsible for her husband Douglas Miller's death so she finally turned against him. She was temporarily released so she could give her official story to Commissioner Mac Scorpio and his brother D.A. Robert Scorpio.
In September, Harmony was sent back to prison for assisting Shiloh.
On October 14, Sam McCall was arrested and remanded to prison for involuntary manslaughter of Shiloh.
On October 17, Ryan was still looking at the picture of Ava on the cover of the Crimson Magazine she was on and his cellmate, Bryce Henderson called Ava "hot" and said he would have to look her up when he gets out of Pentonville. Ryan didn't take too kindly to that and stabbed Bryce to death with a pen.
On October 31, Cassandra Pierce became Sam's cellmate and pulled out a knife on her.
On November 6, Cassandra attacks a guard during work detail in Rice Park and escapes. Sam stays and helps the guard.
On November 19, Sam was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
On December 11, it was revealed that Ryan was in the infirmary being treated for an infection and Nelle asked for his help by "punching her ticket" out of prison and in return she promised him pictures of Ava and to be his link to Port Charles. Ryan agreed to help her and said the plan could use a few modifications. As part of the plan, Ryan stabbed Nelle in the stomach and just missed her kidney. Nelle was transported to GH as Ryan was restrained before being escorted back to his cell.
On the same day, Harmony was also released from Pentonville on early parole due to overcrowding.
On December 27, Nelle was briefly Sam's cellmate. They had an altercation and Sam was released on parole later that day because she helped the guard instead of running during work detail.
On February 5, 2020, Jason tells Sonny and Carly that Cyrus Renault, a drug runner who normally operates in the Pacific Northwest, has been operating from Thompson Penitentiary for the last ten years but was secretly transferred to Pentonville Penitentiary recently.
On March 11, Brad Cooper is sent to Pentonville for his part in the kidnapping and switching of his deceased adoptive son Wiley Cooper-Jones, and Michael's son Wiley Corinthos. While the switching of the babies was Nelle's idea, her lawyer Zahra Amir gets the charges dropped due to lack of evidence.
On April 6, Cyrus was released from Pentonville with a full exoneration.
During Brad's stay in Pentonville, he was stabbed in the abdomen in autumn and nearly killed by one of Cyrus' henchmen (it is unclear whether his assailant was a fellow inmate, a corrections officer or neither of those) and was transported to General Hospital to have his wound treated. Once treated, he was released back to prison custody.
Approximately 3 months later, Dr. Britt Westbourne called Pentonville's warden and requested Brad to be sent back to GH to have his wound checked so they can spend Valentine's Day together. They spend the day making Valentine's Day treat bags for the children's ward, and Britt gives Brad his own treat bag before he is sent back to prison.
On March 31, 2021, Alexis Davis pleads guilty to assault after accidentally stabbing Dante Falconeri with a syringe of lidocaine while aiming for Franco Baldwin. She is sentenced to three years in Pentonville.
Also in 2021, after false witness testimony accuses Jason of Franco's murder, his bail is denied, and he is remanded Pentonville to await trial.
In July 2021, Martin Grey and Molly Lansing-Davis provide a incriminating recording of Judge Naomi Carson's judicial crimes and misconduct to the PCPD. From this evidence, Jordan is able to order Shawn and Alexis to be released to her local protective custody, reuniting the Ashford & Davis families. The recording is sent to the judicial review board, where all of her presided cases will be reviewed for bias and possibly overturned.
In December 2021, a mysterious inmate in Pentonville gave Peter August some breakfast through a slide but Peter initially didn't want it. The mystery inmate then put it back on the breakfast cart, but Peter changed his mind and wanted him to bring it back, so he did. After Peter ate his breakfast, he went to leave but started coughing, choking and wheezing. It was revealed that the mysterious inmate was Brad.
On December 14, 2021, Brad's parole hearing began. Michael Corinthos and Willow Tait showed up for his parole hearing - as did Brad's aunt, Selina Wu. Michael told the parole board about how Brad conspired with Nelle to switch Willow's dead baby with Michael's living one. He also explained how Brad allowed him and his family to grieve for over a year and a half before they found out he was alive and that Willow's son had died. After Michael finished speaking, Brad talked to the parole board and apologized to Michael and Willow for his actions. Brad promised to live a life of virtue if they granted him parole. Afterwards, the parole board convened as Brad was taken away.
Later on, Selina called and revealed to him that the board made their decision - Brad's parole has been granted and Brad will be released in a few days.
On June 22, 2022, it was revealed that Cyrus Renault had been moved from Flatland Federal Prison to Pentonville. His sister Laura Collins visits him and tells him she forgives him.
On September 9, Spencer Cassadine began a three month sentence in Pentonville after sneaking out of Spring Ridge Prison.
On October 3, Cyrus saves Spencer from an inmate named Book in the prison library. Later that month, Cameron Webber and Josslyn Jacks come to visit him. The couple reiterate their friendships with him and admit that Trina Robinson knows Spencer always believed her and was trying to help her. He tries to accept she's moving on, but he cannot hide he's still enamored.
On November 11, 2022, Cyrus tells Laura that he can't protect Anna Devane if she comes to Pentonville. Olivia Jerome can't wait to roll out the red carpet for Anna when she arrives implying Olivia was moved to there.
In December 2022, concerned that Spencer is falling under his great-uncle Cyrus' sway, Victor arranges for his great-great nephew to be released under supervision, a few weeks early. Cyrus gives Spencer an early Christmas gift for himself and Trina, and Spencer reluctantly moves back into Wyndemere with his father.
July 2023, Drew Cain is remanded to Pentonville when his plea deal with the SEC was rejected by Judge Albert Kim and given 3 years. Upon arrival, he is horrified to discover his neighbor is Cyrus Renault - who gives him a hollowed-out Bible with a shiv.
On July 19, Esme Prince secretly steals an Invader article from work, which states that Heather Webber has been moved from D'archam Asylum to Pentonville. She visits her mother the next day, where she has a run-in with Cyrus. He calls her a fellow "pilgrim" trying to make amends for their past, and she learns he is Laura's brother. Heather interrupts them and sends him off. Esme reiterates that her mother will never see her grandchild, then asks Heather why she abandoned her. Heather claims that being raised by her and Ryan Chamberlain would have left her with no chance in life. Esme admits she knows little about her adoptive parents, and tries to vouch for Spencer when Heather states he's a Cassadine and will always be against her. Before Esme leaves, Heather infers Esme was involved in her adoptive parents death - and that the people of Port Charles don't forgive or forget.
On July 31, 2023, in the library, Book starts a fight with Cyrus when Drew interferes. During this, Cyrus has a heart attack, and the guards break it up. Book is sent to solitary, and Drew and another guard help by performing CPR and calling EMS. Cyrus loses consciousness and finds himself in a hellish jail cell, where a spiritual manifestation of his sister Laura appears. They have a heart-to-heart, during which he comes to a realization about his self and actions. They embrace, and he regains consciousness. Drew is sent to solitary as well, and Cyrus is sent to GH. At the hospital, Cyrus summons his brother, telling Martin Grey that he's a changed man and wants to be more charitable by donating his ill-gotten gains.
On August 18, 2023, Carly learns from Sam that Drew is in solitary. Sonny approaches her, wanting to do her a favor in return for hers. He makes a few calls and they learn Drew was released from solitary on August 21.
On September 14, 2023, it is revealed that Cyrus helped Warden Ellen Garten get her position, and it was she who passed information to the feds that resulted in Sonny's arrest.
On September 22, 2023, inmates jump Drew while he's showering and beat him to unconsciousness. Cyrus finds him, covers him and calls for help.
On October 13, 2023, with Warden Garten and Dr. Gatlin-Holt testifying for him, and Scott Baldwin representing him, Cyrus is freed from the penitentiary by the parole board. His sister Laura stops by upon learning the news, and is concerned and taken aback by Cyrus' revealing that their conversations during his unconscious hallucination has led to his new future.
On October 31, 2023, [Shown on November 6] Drew was released early on 6-month probation, after Alexis and Gregory Chase blackmailed the ambitious judge into easing up on a harsh punishment.
On November 14, 2023, after recuperating at GH from being shot when he kidnapped Ava and attacked Dex Heller, Mason Gatlin was remanded to the penitentiary.
On New Years Eve, Esme visits her mother - who deduces quickly that her daughter has her full memory back. Esme makes another visit after Nikolas left town with Ace, and Heather advises her to get out of town and drop her vendetta against Spencer and Trina. She adamantly refuses - which Heather shares next with Laura who is hoping for clues to where her son and grandson are. Laura is puzzled that Heather would reveal Esme's healed memory and revenge scheme, until Heather admits she wants her daughter arrested and placed with her in Pentonville, so she can look after her.
On January 30, 2024, clues during the continued investigation into Curtis' shooting leads Anna Devane and Jordan Ashford to visit former spy Jack Brennan. He gets a rise out of them, and then for some semblance of a deal in his favor, he gives them information about WSB seized guns that were "lost" and now sold on the black market for them to track down and bring the shooter to justice.
On February 15, a criminal named Phillip O'Neill is revealed to be in Pentonville. Olivia Jerome is killed when she is attacked during a prisoner transport offscreen.
On February 16, it is revealed that Nikolas Cassadine is in Pentonville when Cyrus offers protection for his nephew.
On February 22, Cyrus starts visiting the prison to deliver sermons as a volunteer. He particularly speaks with recently incarcerated O'Neill, a gun runner who was part of the WSB guns going missing and the mobster killings. Cyrus is secretly acting as a mole, wearing a wire, and the conversation being recorded at the PCPD by Dante and Anna.
On April 25, 2024, Laura discloses to Ava that Nikolas is being transferred out-of-state, which will make it harder to visit him. Ava goes to visit him shortly after, revealing to her ex that she likes living with Sonny and that his meds have been tampered with but she's keeping quiet. Nikolas thinks this will blow up on her, even after she assures him she's got it under control. He then realizes that she likes being in the inner-circle, having the power that being in good with Sonny affords her.
That same day, Valentin comes to see Brennan. They secretly meet in the warden's office, discuss the inception of "Pikeman" and the plot against Sonny progresses. Jack suggests taking out Sonny and framing Jason, to which Valentin states they can't meet up again or someone will catch on.
On May 8, 2024, Jack Brennan is surprised by a visit from Carly Spencer. He makes it clear he's still very attracted to her, and she attempts to hide that it's mutual. He asks her about her life, she shares a few details before confronting him about his supposed attempt to kidnap her. He quickly covers, claiming that since he was a spy he carried covert supplies. They discuss Pikeman, and Carly reveals the FBI is investigating him - she knows because Agent Cates is a friend. Before she leaves, Jack asks to see her again, stating "Watch your back, Valentin" as she walks out. Following this visit, Carly comes to see him several times, sharing information and becoming more and more friendly with each other.
On June 28, Ava reveals she hasn't talked to Nikolas since he was transferred from Pentonville. Laura says she hasn't either.
On July 25, Anna arrives to speak with Brennan. The new warden, Hayes, comes to greet her, stating there's no such inmate. When she asks when he was transferred out, he insists they've never had an inmate by those names. Anna produces a log of all her visits with him here, as well as his transfer to General Hospital.
Hayes continues to insist their records don't match hers. Anna says she could subpoena the guards or the inmate who stabbed Brennan. The warden says she can ask anyone anything she wants, but they likely won't remember any John or Jack Brennan. Per their records, he was never there.
On September 18, 2024, thinking she is covering for her daughter, Kristina Corinthos-Davis, Alexis takes the blame for killing FBI agent John Cates - not knowing it was Kristina's father, Sonny. She is remanded to Pentonville on no bail until the trial. On October 14, the evidence against her (witnesses saw her throw away a gun) proved her innocence and the charges were dropped, allowing her to return home.
Ten days later, Ric Lansing gets Heather Webber's sentence vacated due to her faulty hip surgery poisoning her with metallosis. She walks out of the prison and is greeted by daughter-in-law Elizabeth Baldwin and also released son Steve Webber, from out-of-state.
On October 20, 2025, after being denied bail by the judge for the attempted murder of Congressman Drew Cain, his ex-fiancee Willow Tait was sent to Pentoville due to her history of erratic behavior, while her mother Nina Reeves was sentenced for one year of probation and a $10,000 fine for making a false statement.
On October 31, Station Chief Jack Brennan revealed to Lulu Spencer that Valentin Cassadine will be moved to Pentonville Penitentiary in order for their daughter Charlotte Cassadine to come visit him.
Current[]
Onscreen[]
| Inmate | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Valentin Cassadine | Upcoming 2025 |
Offscreen[]
| Inmate | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Book | 2010-present |
| Suzanne Stanwyck | May 2011-present |
| Johnny Zacchara | Feb 2013-15 (served 2 of 20 year sentence) Jan 2016-present |
| Paul Hornsby | Oct 2016-present |
| Mason Gatlin | Nov 2023-present |
| Gus | 2024-present |
| Phillip O'Neill | Feb 2024-present |
Inmates[]
| Inmate | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Nikolas Cassadine | Fall 2004, 2016, Feb-Apr 2024 (transferred to Flatland Federal Prison) |
| Diego Alcazar | Fall 2005-May 2006 (released early due to providing insider prison information) |
| Jason Morgan | May-Aug 16, 2010 (released due to legal loophole); Mar 18-Jun 4, 2021 (exonerated) |
| Michael Corinthos | May 10-Jun 18, 2010 |
| Maxie Jones | May 1-29, 2012 (exonerated) |
| Matt Hunter | Jun 2012-Jun 2017 (per sentencing) |
| Madeline Reeves | Oct 2014 (conviction overturned); Nov 2014; Aug 31, 2015-Aug 28, 2019 (died from self-induced heart attack) |
| Ava Jerome | Nov 2014-Jan 29, 2015 (escaped; charges dropped due to lack of evidence) |
| Sonny Corinthos | Dec 2014-Jan 29, 2015 (escaped; pardoned by the governor) |
| Franco Baldwin | Dec 21, 2014-Jan 29, 2015 (escaped; charges dropped due to lack of evidence) |
| Julian Jerome | Jan 7-29, 2015 (escaped; charges dropped due to lack of evidence) |
| Shawn Butler | May 27, 2015-Jul 9, 2021 (exonerated) |
| Nelle Benson | Oct 15, 2018-Jan 14, 2020 (paroled) |
| Hank Archer | 2019 (escaped & died) |
| Bryce Henderson | 2019 |
| Ryan Chamberlain | Jun 12, 2019-Nov 1, 2020 |
| Harmony Miller | June 15-Dec 11, 2019 (paroled due to overcrowding) |
| Cassandra Pierce | Sep 19-Nov 6, 2019 (to be sent to The Hague; escaped & died) |
| Sam McCall | Nov 19-Dec 27, 2019 (paroled) |
| Cyrus Renault | Feb-Apr 2020; Jun 2022-Oct 2023 (paroled) |
| Brad Cooper | Mar 11 2020-Dec 20, 2021 (paroled on a 15 to 40 years life sentence) |
| Maggie | pre Apr-May 21, 2021 (paroled) |
| Alexis Davis | Mar 31-Jul, 2021 (charges dropped) Sep 18-Oct 14, 2024 (charges dropped) |
| Peter August | Dec 10-20, 2021 (to be sent to Steinmauer Prison; escaped & died) |
| Spencer Cassadine | Sep 9-Dec 14, 2022 |
| Olivia Jerome | Nov 2022-Feb 15, 2024 (killed during a prisoner transfer) |
| Heather Webber | Jul 2023-Oct 24, 2024 (vacated due to medical defect) |
| Drew Cain | Jul-Oct 2023 (originally 3 year sentence) |
| Jack Brennan | Dec 2023-Jul 2024 (disappeared; no records exist) |
| Willow Tait | Oct 20-Nov 11 2025 (released on bail) |
Current[]
- Warden Hayes (2024-present)
Former[]
| Warden | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Warden Powell | 2010 |
| Warden Alvarez | 2020-21 |
| Warden Ellen Garten | 2023 |
Trivia[]
- The official captioning of the prison exterior mistakenly places it in Port Charles, though it's actually located in the neighboring town of Pentonville.
