HM Young Offender Institution, West Cell Block

HM YOUNG OFFENDER INSTITUTION, WEST CELL BLOCK, THE GROVE

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Overview

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1203119
Date first listed:
17-May-1993
List Entry Name:
HM Young Offender Institution, West Cell Block
Statutory Address:
HM YOUNG OFFENDER INSTITUTION, WEST CELL BLOCK, THE GROVE
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Official list entry

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1203119
Date first listed:
17-May-1993
List Entry Name:
HM Young Offender Institution, West Cell Block
Statutory Address 1:
HM YOUNG OFFENDER INSTITUTION, WEST CELL BLOCK, THE GROVE

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:
HM YOUNG OFFENDER INSTITUTION, WEST CELL BLOCK, THE GROVE

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:
Dorset (Unitary Authority)
Parish:
Portland
National Grid Reference:
SY7016172338

Details

PORTLAND

SY67SE
969-1/1/146

THE GROVE, Grove
(North side)
HM Young Offender Institution, west
cell block

GV
II

Prison cell block, Raleigh/Drake/Benbow wings. 1898. Fine
coursed Portland ashlar, some rock-faced masonry, slate roofs.
One of two parallel blocks, a T-shaped building in long N/S
wing and shorter E/W wing projecting centrally from W side. In
5 or 6 storeys, 8:1:15:1:6 bays to E, and 5 storeys 13 bays to
central arm, linked by splays to main block; the single bays
being projecting service towers (not staircases). Windows are
small square-headed iron small-pane casements with external
horizontal bars,in flush chamfered surrounds and to very heavy
weathered cills; on the service towers set in returns, with
plain outer wall rising to steep coped gable. Most
ground-floor windows modified, and opening extended to meet
underside of first-floor cills. Coped gable ends on heavy
3-course kneelers, have 4 x 3 close-set vertical casements in
flush chamfer surrounds, but at ground floor are 3 wide-spaced
square lights, some of these blind. Entrances at ends of
blocks and in base of service towers. In the splays connecting
the arms are close-set segmental-headed lights at each level.
Ten lofty large square stacks with rock-faced quoins, a plain
necking band, and dentilled cappings. The eaves in 2
continuous chamfered courses above bold dentils. Interior
partly inspected, retains most of original structure and
fittings: adjacent to service towers are stone flush-soffit
dog-leg stairs to simple rail balusters, original cell doors,
access balconies on cast-iron brackets, iron rod roof trusses
to roof with long runs of laylights to each slope, and all to
painted brick walls and partitions. This building, with the
Grenville/Nelson block (qv) to the E, although of late C19, is
a characteristically bold design, carried out in very splendid
masonry showing little signs of discolouration or
deterioration. It replaces the former timber-clad 1848
structures of the original prison group, and the two blocks
figure prominently in views from many parts of the island.

Listing NGR: SY7016172338

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:
382037
Legacy System:
LBS

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

Ordnance survey map of HM Young Offender Institution, West Cell Block

Map

This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 04-Jun-2026 at 02:51:18.

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© Crown copyright [and database rights] 2026. OS AC0000815036. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100024900.© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited 2026. All rights reserved. Licence number 102006.006.

End of official list entry

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