HM Young Offender Institution, West Cell Block

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

End of official list entry

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