HM Prison Dorchester

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Coordinates: 50°43′01″N 2°26′15″W / 50.7169°N 2.4374°W / 50.7169; -2.4374
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Not to be confused with Dorchester Penitentiary.
HMP Dorchester
Governor
Steve Hodson
WebsiteDorchester at justice.gov.uk

HM Prison Dorchester was a

His Majesty's Prison Service
, and closed in January 2014.

History

Erected during the 19th century, the prison buildings are a typical Victorian design.

In 2006, it was revealed that 25% of random drug tests on inmates had proven positive. Though cannabis was the most commonly detected drug, a number of inmates had tested positive for opiates such as heroin.[1]

In 2007 the

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons said there were too many inmates there, and too little investment in prison buildings and facilities. The report also criticised the lack of work opportunities for inmates.[2]
Conditions improved to an extent, and the prison was awarded ‘Most Improved Prison for 2008'.

Before closure, Dorchester Prison held adult males and young adult males from Dorchester,

chaplaincy
support.

On 4 September 2013, the

The Closure of Prisons Order 2014.[4]

The site of the prison was put up for sale by the Ministry of Justice, and in August 2014 Dorchester

West Dorset District Council to redevelop the prison site into 190 homes. The plans also include redeveloping the gatehouse into a museum.[9]

In March 2016 it was announced that human remains buried in the prison grounds were to be exhumed before any redevelopment took place. The project included archaeologists who studied the diet, health and lifestyle of those buried, as well as help with identification.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "UK | England | Cornwall | Inmates show high levels of drugs". BBC News. 28 February 2006. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  2. ^ "UK | England | Dorset | Overcrowding criticised at prison". BBC News. 15 August 2007. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  3. ^ "BBC News - Dorchester prison closure plan a 'blow' say unions". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  4. ^ "The Closure of Prisons Order 2014 - Section 2". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  5. ^ "Blueprint aims to guide development of Dorchester prison site". Dorset Echo.
  6. ^ "Dorchester residents urged to help shape future for prison site". Dorset Echo.
  7. ^ "The sale of former prisons in west and south England is agreed". BBC News. 24 December 2014.
  8. ^ "Plan for 200 homes on site of former Dorchester prison unveiled". BBC News.
  9. ^ "Dorchester Prison development: Plans for 190 homes and museum submitted". BBC News.
  10. ^ "Dorchester Prison human remains to be exhumed". BBC News.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dorchester (HM Prison).

50°43′01″N 2°26′15″W / 50.7169°N 2.4374°W / 50.7169; -2.4374

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