Concrete Perimeter Walls, Zone F and J, The former Maze Prison, Halftown Road, Lisburn, BT27

A 5.2m high reinforced concrete security wall extending around the entire perimeter of Zones F and J. The wall consist of pre-cast elements with footings extending within the prison. The wall consists of modular blocks stacked two high, The wall is strengthened or Reinforced on one side (external to perimeter wall) by buttresses at the junction of each pre-cast element. The external face of some elements retains a spayed render finish. The only difference between the perimeter walls and the internal walls (i.e. that to the east and south of Zone F) is that the internal wall is capped with razor wire and not the tubular copping present on the external walls. Within the perimeter wall and offset from it are weldmesh fences supported on timber and steel posts which are set into small concrete strip foundations forming sterile areas or inertias. These had been fitted with movement sensors however they have been removed. Inertias are present along the inside of perimeter walls and the dividing walls between Zone F and Zone J. Within the east wall defining Zone F2 and the South wall between Zone F and Zone J are the main vehicular ‘airlock’ entrances between Zones (G4&8). These are characterised by weldmesh vehicular and pedestrian fences and doors, controlled hydraulically. Both entrances have movement control towers from where the gates were operated. The towers form Secondary NIPS observation towers comprising steel frame clad in profiled metal sheets with internal ladder access to viewing platform. The walls offer 360 degree views and part cantilever the walls. The towers have lower lean-to’s housing the hydraulics. Four similar secondary NIPS towers are located in Zone F2. One retains an earlier corrugated sheet cladding. The only vehicular entrance into Maze Cellular is located in the north perimeter wall of Zone F1. This comprises a hydraulically operated sliding steel door flanked by a pedestrian gate. To the east of this is a similar gate which provides access to the visitors block only. Primary army manned watch towers are located on the outside of the perimeter wall. There are four abutting or immediately adjacent to the perimeter wall of Zones F and J. These comprise tall steel framed towers of square plan surmounted by observation platforms with a smaller square plan. The platforms are reached by a steel staircase via a floor hatch. Steel frame windows, with central sliding elements, are present on all four sides with gun mounting points on sills of all aspects.