Gloucester Prison (Permission Visit)

Derelict Places

Help Support Derelict Places:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

UrbanX

Moderate Moderator
Joined
Apr 2, 2007
Messages
7,543
Reaction score
8,163
Location
Cambridge
Gloucester prison are running their last permission visits this weekend, so I thought this would be a good time to share some photos.

History:
HMP Gloucester was a Cat B Men’s prison, located pretty centrally in the town. Not sure if that’s wise, but hey ho. It closed in 2013.
It originally opened in 1792 as a County Gaol and has been rebuilt, refurbed and added to throughout the age’s right up until 1987. The most (and probably only) notable inmate was Fred West.

IMG_7234_zpsktpikkek.jpg

In April, 2003, Gloucester was named in a survey as "among the 20 most overcrowded jails" in the United Kingdom. The following day, the prison was the scene of a three-and-a-half-hour siege when two prisoners protested over visiting rights by barricading themselves in a cell.

IMG_7232_zpseedzioxr.jpg
Come on inside

They started a ‘time bank’ scheme in 2006, which I think is a lovely idea: Inmates who joined the scheme restored bicycles in the prison workshop, and this time was credited to their friends and families who could cash it in to get help from volunteers in the community.]

IMG_7228_zpszjignb1o.jpg
Typical Cell

In 2017 the prison was open for permission visits while Planning permission was finalised. The last tour will be run this weekend.
IMG_7195_zpslwrdwlsx.jpg

The Explore:
I had a rare day off work and thought that prison would be a welcome break from the office. When I mentioned it to my Dad I was surprised of his enthusiastic “Ooh, can I come?” Although he’s always loved my photos he’s never really condoned my hobby!

The biggest worry about access was hearing that they’d occasionally just not open due to lack of volunteers. It’s a 3.5 hour drive each way for us, so we’d have to set off hours before they opened in order to get a full day there – hence we couldn’t even phone them to find out if they’re open, we’d just have to gamble it. As you can probably guess, they were indeed happy to see us.

IMG_7207_zpsyrwekaht.jpg

As it was a weekday there wasn’t many visitors, I think there was one other couple there all day while we were there. Had a chat to a former guard as we were leaving and he showed us a couple of roped off bits (which we’d inevitably shown ourselves into previously) as well as a few grisly anecdotes.

IMG_7150_zpsbkaiusht.jpg

The exercise yard was bleak.
IMG_7217_zps75dpxems.jpg

IMG_7117_zpsrlkddn6n.jpg

IMG_7116_zps9ud5ijvj.jpg

IMG_7123_zpsmuzlou5i.jpg

As part of the development process an archaeological dig took place in the exercise yard. Turns out all the prisoners who were executed here were also buried here. It was deep with bodies.

Human bone fragments still litter the courtyard…
IMG_7120_tonemapped_zpsgabtulm9.jpg

One corner of the exercise yard was hidden from general sight. The things that must have happened in this little recess… one of the things was scratching your name into the wall, people have been doing it for a long time…
IMG_7215_zpswrivj5hb.jpg

The main landings. Apologies if it’s a bit pic heavy they were very photogenic!
IMG_7156_zpsddywy4dp.jpg

IMG_7165_tonemapped_zpskt43fniq.jpg

IMG_7130_tonemapped_zpsxcofojac.jpg

IMG_7147_zpstuvzwtxz.jpg

A new(ish) looking corridor leads to the visiting areas
IMG_7222_zpspv9ptpwq.jpg

Although modern, and giving outside visitors a impression of civility, the visiting area was completely soulless and not at all representative of the architecture beyond.
IMG_7102_zpskhel2vnc.jpg

It was quite heartbreaking to see the visiting area for kids.
IMG_7107_zps8cpz2wfb.jpg

Chapel:
IMG_7179_zpsntwj9vjz.jpg

Slop down!
IMG_7158_zpss880ux22.jpg

IMG_7231_zpszy1xvlnh.jpg

IMG_7213_zpsqpn1aggt.jpg

IMG_7183_zpscmalhnha.jpg

IMG_7181_zpsigf3eqsh.jpg


Thanks for looking.

IMG_7192_zpsgwojztvf.jpg


IMG_7220_zpsrlmofazg.jpg
Fully Decommissioned
 
There's some nice detailing in those cell blocks, a lot of history as well. What's on the cards for the place? Is demolition imminent?
 
Love this, its got a real feel for it hasn't it. I'm squeezing a visit in tomorrow. Was it busy when you went? Seems like a weird question to ask of a prison visit.
 
Cheers for all your kind comments!

Love this, its got a real feel for it hasn't it. I'm squeezing a visit in tomorrow. Was it busy when you went? Seems like a weird question to ask of a prison visit.

Hope you made it here! Looking forward to pics if you did!
We went on a weekday and it was absolutely dead, cant vouch for weekends!
 
You got some really nice shots from here Lee.i quite like the two prisons I have been too.not been this one though
 

Latest posts

Back
Top