Hm Young Offender Institution, West Cell Block

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