Central and administrative blocks, with walls and pavilions adjoining north and south, at entrance to HM Prison

The central and administrative blocks at the entrance to HM Prison were built in 1847 by Bernard Hartley, who was the surveyor to the West Riding Magistrates. The central block is designed as a tall one-storey structure resembling a triumphal arch, constructed from rusticated ashlar. It features a modified Doric entablature beneath a tall parapet with pilasters. The recessed center has two vermiculate rusticated Roman Doric columns in antis that support the entablature and frame a large studded door with sixteen panels, accompanied by a similar studded fanlight. Above this, there are voussoirs and a vermiculate keystone. The side bays contain round-arched windows with coved reveals, voussoirs, and bracketed cills, featuring small panes and radial heads. At the back of the central block, there are short stretches of high rusticated walls.

The administrative blocks are three-storey, five-bay, double-pile buildings that create a symmetrical layout, although the south block has a later one-bay extension. These blocks are also made of ashlar and include raised quoins, a plinth, a wide first-floor cill band, and a deep, bracketed eaves cornice that leads to a hipped, swept, slated roof. There are two sets of stacks between the ridges. The windows are casement style, set under heavy voussoirs, with projecting cills on the first floor and sunk apron panels on the ground floor. The first-floor center window features an aedicule treatment. The tripartite central entrance has double doors with oblong fanlights and sidelights, framed by pilasters and an entablature. Some windows in the northern building have been blocked. It is noted that these buildings may incorporate some stonework from the original House of Correction.

From the north and south blocks extend tall ashlar walls with rounded coping that curve outward in segmental shapes toward the front, where small ashlar pavilions with plinths, vermiculate quoins, niches, cornices, and blocking courses complete the overall design.