Durham (HM Prison)
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| HMP Durham | |
| Opened | 19th century |
|---|---|
| Management | HM Prison Service |
| Prison type | Adult Male/Category B |
| Prisoner figures | 981 (October 2006) |
| Location | Durham, County Durham |
| Governor | Alan Tallentire |
| Information | www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk |
HM Prison Durham is a local Category B men's prison, located in the Elvet area of Durham in County Durham, England. The prison is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service.
Contents |
[edit] History
Durham Prison was built in the early 19th Century, and is adjacent to Durham's Crown Courts. The prison was the site of a number of executions, and has held a variety of different categories of prisoners, both male and female over the course of its history.
In 2001, Durham (which was a Category A prison for men and women at the time) was praised by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for its progressive regime, integration of inmates and falling levels of violence.[1] However in 2003 it was revealed that Durham had the highest suicide rate of all prisons in England.[2]
In 2004, a further report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons criticised Durham Prison for being severely overcrowded. The report also highlighted the lack of education and work opportunities for inmates at the prison.[3]
HMP Durham previously operated a female high security wing with 120 prisoners but this was discontinued and the prisoners transferred elsewhere following reports from HM Inspectorate of Prisons concluding that HMP Durham was unsuitable for housing female prisoners, following several suicides.[4]
[edit] The prison today
Durham is currently a Category B local prison for convicted and remand adult male prisoners, primarily serving the courts of County Durham, Tyne and Wear and Teesside. Accommodation at the prison is divided into 7 wings plus Segregation and Healthcare sections.
Durham Prison offers Full and part time education to all inmates. Courses include Data Input, Bricklaying, Woodwork, Painting and Decorating, Waste Management and Gardening.
[edit] Notable former inmates
- Rose West[5][6]
- Myra Hindley[5]
- Sandra Gregory
- Carole Richardson [7]
- Judith Ward [8] [9]
- Mary Ann Cotton[10]
- Ian Brady[11]
- Ronald Kray[5]
- Charlie Richardson[12]
- Eddie Richardson[11]
- Frankie Fraser[5]
- John Straffen[13] [14]
- John McVicar[5]
[edit] Film and TV links
- The 1980 British film McVicar starring Roger Daltrey is primarily set in Durham Prison.
[edit] References
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1549571.stm
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2645303.stm
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3391177.stm
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/4213478.stm
- ^ a b c d e "Crime and Punishment in Durham: The History of Durham Prison". Durham University. http://www.dur.ac.uk/4schools/Crime/Durhamprison1.htm. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.
- ^ "Rose West's prison unit to close". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3751075.stm. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.
- ^ Guardian Newspaper: Guildford Four Ten Years On
- ^ Ambushed: My Story - Judith Ward - Vermilion Books December 1995
- ^ Irish Republican Female Prisons Account - Durham Prison
- ^ Durham Prison History Including Mary Anne Cotton - Also see Execution Section on Mary Anne Cottons Wiki Page
- ^ a b The Hood, The Bad and the Ugly - Scotsman Newspaper
- ^ McVicar by Himself first published by Hutchinson's in 1974
- ^ McVicar by Himself first published by Hutchinson's in 1974
- ^ "Straffen moved", The Times, 23 May 1968, p. 1 See Straffens Wiki Page
[edit] External links
- Clark, Richard. "History of Durham Prison". www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk. http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/durham.html. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.
- HM Prison pages on Durham
