'H' Block 7, Zone J, The former Maze Prison, Halftown Road, Lisburn, BT27

'H' Block 7, Zone J, The Former Maze Prison

'H' Block 7 is one of three identical cellular units within its own fenced compound in Zone J (Phase 3) of the former Maze Prison. It occupies the central position of the three blocks, arranged along the southern half of the zone, with internal roads surrounding its north, east and west sides. To its south lies the perimeter wall and an inertia structure.

The building is a single-storey structure of grey brick and concrete constructed in an 'H' plan, comprising a central 'circle' off which four cellular wings extend, two to the north and two to the south. It has a flat roof surmounted by a brick-enclosed water tank. The building is aligned east-west with a 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 lie to the north and south of the cellular wings. These areas are defined by high metal fences of galvanised corrugated steel sheeting over welded mesh panels topped with razor wire. Street lights surmount the fence posts at regular intervals.

A vehicle air lock on the east side provides access from a dedicated access road, with ornamental flowerbeds beyond. Tall gates of galvanised steel and wire mesh surmounted with mesh above form the main entrance, with pedestrian gates of similar construction on either side.

The external elevations are regularly fenestrated with steel-framed windows backed by reinforced concrete grilles that limit daylight. Domed skylights light 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 brick displays regular expansion joints, and windows are set within 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 (Mechanical and Electrical Plant 3) plant to the H Block calorifier. The main door is positioned at the centre of the east elevation of the north-south 'circle' block range and comprises timber doors fitted with observation windows, 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 the other H Blocks include steel screens fitted to the control room antechamber window and roof light. Cell 18 was the location of the entrance to the tunnel excavated during the 1997 escape attempt, with a tarmac patch visible running south from the cell across the exercise yard along the line of the tunnel and a concrete patch against the outside of the cell. B Wing exercise yard bears a Unionist slogan painted across it.

Two Tertiary Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) observation towers are located centrally along the outer fence, one to the north and one to the south. These square-plan towers have their main entrance on the east and are 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 observation platform 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 of the tower below. The windows are partially darkened and mirrored by adhesive backing sheet.