HM Prison Holloway, London

HMP Holloway Prison London

HMP Holloway was the largest women’s only prison in Europe until its closure in 2016. Rebuilt in the 1970s, the prison's design was recognised as a failure.

Visited August 2018  UK North London, UK Closed

HMP Holloway was the largest women’s only prison in Europe until its closure in 2016. Rebuilt between 1971 to 1985, the prison’s design was intended to produce an atmosphere more like a hospital than a prison. This design was recognised as a failure in the 1980s as its lack of traditional wings or landings, and a maze of corridors, means warders had difficulty monitoring inmates.

Entrance to the rebuilt prison (CC Licence)​
Entrance to the rebuilt prison (CC Licence)​

The history of Holloway dates back to 1852 when the original prison opened as a mixed-sex establishment, but due to the increasing demand for space for female prisoners, it became female-only in 1903. Inmates of the original prison included Oscar Wilde, and more recently Moors murderess Myra Hindley from 1966.

The original Holloway Prison (public domain image)​

Holding female adults and young offenders either sentenced by the courts or being held on remand, the prison consisted mostly of single cells, but there was also various dormitory accommodation. In January 2016 an inquest into the death of Sarah Reed, a paranoid schizophrenic being held on remand, identified failings in the care system. The prison was closed in July 2016, with plans for it to be sold for housing.

Holloway Prison - Wandering between the modern buildings within the prison grounds
Holloway Prison – Wandering between the modern buildings within the prison grounds

Let’s head straight into the cells…

Holloway Prison - Dorm room
Holloway Prison – Dorm room
Holloway Prison - Single prisoner cell
Holloway Prison – Dorm room
Holloway Prison - Another dorm room
Holloway Prison – Another dorm room
Holloway Prison - Mural in one of the many winding corridors
Holloway Prison – Mural in one of the many winding corridors
Holloway Prison - Twin room
Holloway Prison – Twin room
Holloway Prison - Lots of peely paint in some places
Holloway Prison – Lots of peely paint in some places
Holloway Prison -There were several styles of cell
Holloway Prison -There were several styles of cell
Holloway Prison -Bars and gates inside the prison
Holloway Prison -Bars and gates inside the prison

Entrance into the prison…

Prisoner transport vehicles would park inside this area, and the gates closed behind them

Holloway Prison - Prisoner unloading area
Holloway Prison – Prisoner unloading area
Holloway Prison - The front entrance leads into this area, with a command room behind the glass
Holloway Prison – The front entrance leads into this area, with a command room behind the glass
Holloway Prison - Corridors lead into the prison
Holloway Prison – Corridors lead into the prison
Holloway Prison - Each area separated by iron gates
Holloway Prison – Each area separated by iron gates

Prisoner amenities and facilities

Holloway Prison - Entrance into the "family friendly" visitor centre.
Holloway Prison – Entrance into the “family friendly” visitor centre.
Holloway Prison - Visitors and prisoners could be kept separated in these divided rooms
Holloway Prison – Visitors and prisoners could be kept separated in these divided rooms
Holloway Prison - The prison had a swimming pool for prisoners to use
Holloway Prison – The prison had a swimming pool for prisoners to use
Holloway Prison - And gym facilities
Holloway Prison – And gym facilities
Holloway Prison - The glazed walkway was decorated by inmates
Holloway Prison – The glazed walkway was decorated by inmates
Holloway Prison - The prison had a medical ward, including its own opticians
Holloway Prison – The prison had a medical ward, including its own opticians
Holloway Prison - Pharmacy
Holloway Prison – Pharmacy
Holloway Prison - Covered walkway leading to the chapel. Note the high-security walls
Holloway Prison – Covered walkway leading to the chapel. Note the high-security walls
Holloway Prison - The chapel was large but pretty basic
Holloway Prison – The chapel was large but pretty basic
Holloway Prison - Inmate artwork on a staircase
Holloway Prison – Inmate artwork on a staircase
Holloway Prison - Mural inside one of the rooms
Holloway Prison – Mural inside one of the rooms
Holloway Prison - A room for presentations
Holloway Prison – A room for presentations
Holloway Prison - The prison's boiler house
Holloway Prison – The prison’s boiler house
Holloway Prison - Exterior of the buildings within the prison walls
Holloway Prison – Exterior of the buildings within the prison walls
Holloway Prison - High fences divided the exterior areas​
Holloway Prison – High fences divided the exterior areas​
Author: Andy Kay | Facebook | Flickr | Instagram

10 thoughts on HM Prison Holloway, London

  1. I was an inmate at Holloway quite a few years ago before it closed it was when I was at a difficult time in my life through many things i went through

  2. It’s not easy one, and they are quite on top of keeping it secure. The access we found was sealed up the next day, but some others have been inside recently so worth giving it a shot.

  3. oh my god. this gave me chills. This was my home for 3 years when i was young. from the ages of 18 to 21… I knew the place like the back of my hand and still do, I might go back there with my old cellmate and we can remember how far we have come, we were just kids, both out of the care system straight into jail. I knew many people here and it became a part of me, even the building did. There was a special wing for YOI’s and we all became so close, it was kind of like a dysfunctional family… but we were so young we all wanted to be gangsters at that time. I thank you so much for posting this it has helped me in a strange way.

  4. I don’t think my other comment posted and I got the link wrongt. These images fit in so well with my memories from my memoir I am writing (drafting and re-drafting and editing) This is the link to my most complete chapter so far. It looked just like I remember it, although I am shocked how quickly it has fallen into disrepair. fayzastar(dot)blogspot(dot)com/
    it wont let me leave my comment here but this is not spam lol

  5. Behind Closed Doors
    Wow I was an inmate in the young offenders a3/b3 landings back in 2007, brings back memory’s these pictures! I loved the gardens beautiful! My sister was also an inmate but sadly took her own life years ago when I was young so when I was out here it was very hard as a lot of staff and some inmates knew my sister. Best jollof rice! And chocolate cake and custard ever! Strips searches were the least s fav of mine hated them! Sounds strange but I actually am glad I was a part of this place because I am who I am today and have come so far!

  6. Thanks for commenting, it’s always interesting to hear from people who had been associated with the buildings we visit, and certainly so in this case. I visited with somebody who had spent a short time there too, and heard some stories of what it was like inside – not the easy ride it’s often made out to be.

  7. Bloodyhell i remember my time in there not as long as the other girls who have left a comment it was like a flying visit but still scary for a first timer in prison i wasn’t even from London West Yorkshire was my home so miles away from home with no visitors that was scary in itself but after you’ve been there after a week you settled in and got on with it bit did meet some top lasses there Yeh sad to see it closed down weird that I feel sad…..

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