H.M.Prison, Gatehouse Building

H.M. Prison's Gatehouse Building is a nearly symmetrical, 2-storey L-shaped structure that originally housed the Chief Gaoler’s and Governor’s residence. It features a recessed, 2-storey arched entry flanked by these blocks. The exterior is made of snecked rubble with freestone dressings, topped by hipped slate roofs. The building has tall stacks with cornices, wide eaves with moulded cornices, a plain frieze, sunk roll mouldings at the outer angles, and a projecting plinth.

Above the archway, there is a cornice with a heavy blocking course, which is linked below to a key block that has some rustication. The arch has a splayed angle and rustication at the head. Bold cill bands on the first floor extend back to the imposts, and there are massive double boarded doors with a boarded lunette. The windows are mostly paired and set in heavy rusticated surrounds with keyblocks, moulded imposts, and aprons. The upper floor features round-headed windows, while the ground floor has segmental-headed windows.

To the left, there is an angle with a lean-to addition and a low curving range attached to the left end. A lower, 2-storey, 3-bay range is set back on the right and features similar detailing, including eaves brackets. Surrounding the property is a high snecked rubble perimeter wall that has a slight batter facing Oystermouth Road, with occasional vertical buttresses. This wall continues around Glamorgan and Paxton Streets.