Hm Young Offender Institution, East Cell Block

PORTLAND

SY67SE 969-1/1/145

THE GROVE, Grove (North side) HM Young Offender Institution, East cell block

GV II

Prison cell block, Grenville and Nelson wings. 1898. Fine coursed Portland ashlar, some rock-faced masonry, slate roofs. One of two parallel blocks, a long narrow building in 5 storeys and 29 bays, set N/S; to W bays grouped 14:1:14, and to E 6:1:15:1:6, the single bays being projecting service towers (not staircases). Windows are small square-headed iron small-paned casements with external horizontal bars in chamfered flush surrounds and very heavy weathered cills; service towers set in returns, with plain outer wall rising to steep coped gable. Most ground-floor windows modified, and openings 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 block and to base of service towers. Six lofty large square stacks with rock-faced quoins, a plain necking band, and dentilled cappings. The eaves in two continuous chamfered courses above bold dentils. Interior partly inspected, retains most of original structure and fittings: adjoining service towers are stone flush-soffit dog-leg stairs to simple rail balustrades, cell doors original, access balconies on cast-iron brackets, iron rod trusses to roof with long runs of lay-lights to each slope, and all to painted brick walls and partitions. This building, with the Raleigh/Drake/Benbow block (qv) to the W, although of the late C19, is a characteristically bold design, carried out in very splendid masonry showing little signs of discolouration or deterioration. It replaces the 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: SY7022772341