‘H’ Block 6, Zone J, The former Maze Prison, Halftown Road, Lisburn, BT27

'H' Block 6, The Former Maze Prison

'H' Block 6 is a representative example of an H Block cellular unit from the Maze Prison, representing a significant development in British penal architecture. The building is of Grade B1 historical importance for its architectural form, structural system, internal details, and plan organisation, as well as for its profound historical associations with major events in the prison's history.

The block is one of three cellular units set within a fenced compound in Zone J (Phase 3 area) of the prison, positioned as the western of three blocks arranged along the southern half of the zone. It comprises a single-storey structure of grey brick and concrete in an 'H' plan form, with a central 'circle' from which four cellular wings extend—two to the north and two to the south. The flat roof is surmounted by a brick-enclosed water tank. The building is aligned east-west, with tarmac hard standing forming an entrance yard between wings 'A' and 'D', and a similar area between wings 'B' and 'C'. Two pairs of exercise yards to the north and south of the cellular wings are defined by high metal fences of galvanised corrugated steel sheeting over welded mesh panels topped with razor wire. Regular street lights surmount the fence posts.

Access is via a vehicle air lock to the east from a dedicated access road, with ornamental flowerbeds and tall gates of galvanised steel and wire mesh surmounted with mesh above. Pedestrian gates of similar construction flank each side. The external elevations are regularly fenestrated with steel-framed windows, behind which are reinforced concrete grilles limiting daylight. Domed skylights serve the internal corridors. External doors are fitted with steel grille security gates. Later galvanised screens were added over the central block ('circle') windows, which also have concrete grilles. The external brickwork has regular expansion joints, and windows have simple concrete or rendered surrounds. Large insulated pipes run along the lower part of the north elevation of Wing A, supplying hot water from the M&E 3 plant to the block's calorifier.

The main door is located in the centre of the east elevation of the north-south 'circle' block range. Doors are timber and fitted with observation windows, operated in conjunction with outer metal grille doors. Similar secondary doors are on the western elevation of the 'circle', opposite the main doors.

Two tertiary Northern Ireland Prison Service observation towers are positioned centrally along the outer fence, one to the north and one to the south. These are square in plan with the main entrance on the east, constructed on a frame of tubular steel. The lower part is clad with pressed and coated pale green steel sheets on three sides, with opaque corrugated plastic sheets on the fourth side (away from the H Block compound). The upper part forms an observation platform projecting slightly over the fence to enable greater sightlines. Each side of the observation room comprises two panels of glass or Perspex except the outer face, which continues the steel cladding below. The windows were partially darkened and mirrored using adhesive backing sheets.

H Block 6 was constructed in April 1977 as the sixth of eight H Blocks ultimately built at the Maze. The H Block and associated observation towers, fences, gates and yards formed one of three original elements of the Phase 3 Cellular prison, with little sign of later modification. The observation towers were added in the mid-1980s to reduce staff requirement in the blocks and increase observation of the yards; the darkened windows were designed to minimise staff intimidation.

The cell blocks were occupied by different paramilitary groups, who decorated them with murals and street signs reflecting areas of support and paramilitary leaders. A six-monthly rotation of prisoner groups between blocks meant artwork was painted over before reoccupation by potentially opposed factions. This was also true of individual cells, decorated with wallpaper or paintwork to individual tastes. H Block 6 showed no visible artwork; cells were presented in alternate green and blue colour schemes.

H Block 6 holds significant historical importance as one of three blocks involved in the 'Dirty' Protest and as the block from which 38 inmates escaped in 1983—the largest escape in British penal history. The building is also the location where Billy Wright was killed on 27 December 1997 as he was leaving in a visits van. The block remained in occupation and served its intended function until the prison's closure in 2000.

The extent of listing includes 'H' Block 6, all fenced enclosures, the vehicle entrance airlocks, and the north and south tertiary NIPS observation towers. The building's setting and surroundings are integral to its penal character. The Dead Zone to the west, bounded by the western perimeter wall, and the southern perimeter wall and inertia to the south, together with the fences defining yards and controlled entrance to the enclosure, are essential to understanding the building's significance.