A view of the former prison in 1896
Holloway prison was opened in 1852 as a mixed-sex prison, but due to growing demand for space for female prisoners, particularly due to the closure of Newgate, it became female-only in 1903.
Holloway was used to imprison suffragettes including Emmeline Pankhurst, Emily Davison, Constance Markievicz (imprisoned for her part in the Irish Rebellion), Charlotte Despard, Mary Richardson, Dora Montefiore, Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington, and Ethel Smyth.Until 1991, the Prison was staffed by Home Office appointed, female Prison Officers. However, The first 'Male, basic grade' Prison Officer to be posted to HMP Holloway in its history, was Prison Officer Thomas Ainsworth, who joined the establishment direct from HMP College Wakefield in May 1991.
After the death from suicide in January 2016 of inmate Sarah Reed, a paranoid schizophrenic being held on remand, the subsequent inquest in July 2017 identified failings in the care system. Shortly after Reed died, a report concluded she was unfit to plead at a trial.
Rebuilding
Holloway Prison was completely rebuilt between 1971 and 1985 on the same site. The redevelopment resulted in the loss of the "grand turreted" gateway to the prison, which had been built in 1851; architectural critic Gavin Stamp later regretted the loss and noted that the climate of opinion at the time was such that the Victorian Society felt unable to object.
Use
Holloway Prison held female adults and young offenders remanded or sentenced by the local courts. Accommodation at the prison was mostly single cells; however, there was also some dormitory accommodation.
Holloway Prison offered both full-time and part-time education to inmates, with courses including skills training workshops, British Industrial Cleaning Science, gardening, and painting.
There was a family-friendly visitors' centre, run by the Prison Advice and Care Trust, an independent charity.
Closure
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, announced in his Autumn Statement on 25 November 2015 that the prison would close and would be sold for housing. It closed in July 2016, with prisoners being moved to HMP Downview and HMP Bronzefield. As of September 2017 the prison buildings still stand, with draft proposals for the site including housing, a public open green space, playground, women's centre and a small amount of commercial space.
Executions
A total of five judicial executions by hanging took place at Holloway Prison between 1903 and 1955:
The double execution of Sach and Walters at Holloway Prison
Amelia Sach and Annie Walters - 3 February 1903
Edith Thompson - 9 January 1923
Styllou Christofi - 13 December 1954
Ruth Ellis - 13 July 1955
The bodies of all executed prisoners were buried in unmarked graves within the walls of the prison, as was customary. In 1971 the prison underwent an extensive programme of rebuilding, during which the remains of all the executed women were exhumed. With the exception of Ruth Ellis, the remains of the four other women were subsequently reburied in a single grave at Brookwood Cemetery near Woking, Surrey.
The photos are from 2 visits from July and August 2018, the first time i went with Pretty Vacant and spent the whole day with no issues and the second time not for very long met up with PV, @Brewtal and @Grom
Such a nice place to wander around and plenty to see along the way.
to be continued
Last edited:
