'H' Block 8, Zone J, The former Maze Prison, Halftown Road, Lisburn, BT27

'H' Block 8, Zone J, The Former Maze Prison

'H' Block 8 is one of three cellular units set within its own fenced compound in Phase 3 (Zone J) of the former Maze Prison. It shares similar construction and design with 'H' Blocks 6 and 7, though with a mirrored orientation. The main door and vehicular airlock are positioned on the west side. This block occupies the easternmost position of the three, with a perimeter wall and associated inertia structure to its south, and a tall concrete wall dividing Maze Cellular from Maze Compounds to the east.

The building is a single-storey structure of grey brick and concrete, planned in an 'H' shape. It comprises a central 'circle' off which extend four cellular wings, 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, with a similar yard between wings B and C. Two pairs of exercise yards lie to the north and south of the cellular wings. Each of these areas is defined by high metal fences of galvanised corrugated steel sheeting over welded mesh panels topped with razor wire. Street lights are regularly positioned on fence posts. A vehicle airlock to the east provides access from a dedicated access road with ornamental flowerbeds. Tall gates of galvanised steel and wire mesh, surmounted with additional mesh, control entry, with similar pedestrian gates on each side.

External elevations are regularly fenestrated with steel-framed windows, each with internal reinforced concrete grilles that limit daylight penetration. Domed skylights illuminate internal corridors. External doors are fitted with steel grille security gates. The central block circle windows are fitted with later galvanised screens and have concrete grilles. The external brickwork features regular expansion joints, whilst 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 M&E 3 (Mechanical and Electrical plant 3) to the H Block calorifier.

The main entrance door, positioned at the centre of the east elevation of the north–south circle block range, is timber with an observation window. These doors were operated in conjunction with outer metal grille doors. Similar secondary doors are located on the western elevation of the circle, opposite the main doors.

Notable external variations from H Block 6 include the fitting of steel screens to the control room antechamber window and roof light, and the painting of cell numbers in white onto the black cell window sills on the exterior of the cell blocks.

Two Tertiary Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) 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 side. They are constructed on a tubular steel frame, with the lower part clad in pressed and coated pale green steel sheets on three sides and opaque corrugated plastic sheets on the fourth side, away from the H Block Compound. The upper part forms an observation platform that projects slightly over the fence to enable greater sightlines. Each side of the observation room comprises two panels of glass or Perspex, except for the outer face which continues the steel cladding below. The windows are partially darkened and mirrored with adhesive backing sheets.