Usk Prison

Usk Prison

Prison building constructed in red sandstone with prominent slate roofs. The complex comprises a high stone outer wall with a central gateway flanked by polygonal towers, enclosing a roughly symmetrical composition of 3-storey blocks with projecting wings flanking the entrance and surmounted by an octagonal low tower, with a tall rendered chimney to the right.

The outer wall is constructed of coursed red sandstone with pale ashlar dressings. It features a moulded glazed brick coping, plinth, and equally spaced buttress-pilasters. At the centre is a dignified entrance gateway with a projecting entrance bay containing a high round-arched doorway with Gibbs surround, voussoirs and keystone. A cast iron portcullis-style grille is mounted over the boarded door, which has been permanently closed. Ashlar bands run at plinth, impost and cornice level, with the parapet stepped up over the doorway. Lower slit windows resembling arrow loops pierce the wall. On either side are deeply projecting five-sided towers. A mid-20th-century door with red brick detailing has been inserted at the far left.

Behind the walls lies a complex of blocks within the semi-polygonal enclosure. Two periods of construction are evident in the masonry: coursed rubble for the early work and tooled and snecked stonework for the 1860s extensions. All have slate roofs. Facing the entrance is a group of 3-storey blocks comprising the former office wing at the centre, the former governor's house to the north and the former female wing (now an administration and education block) to the south. A wing extends east to the control centre, lit by a second roof lantern, from which radiate three long 2-storey cell blocks (designated A, B and C). A separate single-storey kitchen block and single-storey workshops are also present, together with the tall rendered chimney.

Windows throughout have ashlar block surrounds and are mostly small-pane cast-iron windows with guards. Cell windows are small, whilst windows to the former sanatorium ward are larger; some sashes are present, and a bay window is retained in the former governor's house. The original doorway opposite the entrance has a deep painted channelled surround; the inner face of the original entrance gateway features similar details to the exterior.

A new entrance at the north-west was created in the mid-20th century, shifting the focus away from the original central entry plan. Adjacent to the former main entrance hall to the north is a small museum displaying early plans and artefacts from the prison, including the history of former houses of correction in Usk that preceded the current building. The now-unused exit from the tunnel linking the adjacent court house and prison is visible here. In the adjacent block to the south, an early door with serving hatch and spy-hole survives as an example of past arrangements.

The control centre, lit by a roof lantern, is an open space from which radiate the three cell blocks. These are two storeys with metal landings, rails and stairs, featuring round-arched vaulted ceilings with wide ribs. At the far east end of the central block is a small room converted to a chapel. The original large chapel, now a gymnasium, was formerly located at first-floor level adjacent to the control centre.