HM Prison Wealstun
Governor Diane Lewis | | |
| Website | Wealstun at justice.gov.uk | |
|---|---|---|
HM Prison Wealstun is a
.History
Wealstun Prison was formed from the almagamation of HMP Thorp Arch and HMP Rudgate on 1 April 1995; both built in 1965, on the site of ROF Thorp Arch). The amalgamation of two neighbouring establishments was an historic development for the Prison Service, and had the effect of creating a category C closed side and category D open side within one establishment. A great deal of building development has taken place at the prison in recent years, and has recently been completed.
In June 2003, 20 prisoners were involved in a rooftop protest at Wealstun Prison. The inmates smashed windows and climbed up drainpipes and ledges to the roof of the jail. After 19 hours some of the prisoners came down from the roof, but some of the inmates lasted 30 hours on the roof before surrendering peacefully.[2]
In February 2004, an inspection report from
In 2008 due to Category C overcrowding problems in the prison service, HMP Wealstun was re-rolled from a Category C/D prison to a wholly Category C prison and as a result the open side of the prison closed, and was converted to provide additional category C accommodation. The new Category C area commenced operation in April 2010.
In August 2010, an unannounced full inspection of the prison by
The prison today
Accommodation at Wealstun includes 15 double-occupancy cells on B Wing. The remainder of the Category C cells are single-occupancy covering 10 wings (A - J Wing).
Wealstun offers
Wealstun has a visitors' centre for use on visiting days, and a modern visiting room is in operation, which has play area facilities and a refreshment counter where food may be purchased. There is a non-denominational chapel which was dedicated on 1 November 2005.[5]
HMP Wealstun opened fully as a category C establishment in April 2010 after the security building work was completed on the conversion of the category D part of the prison.
Notable former inmates
References
- ^ "HMP Wealstun" (PDF). justiceinspectorates.co.uk. October 2015. p. 5. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ "Prison rooftop protest ends". BBC News. 4 June 2003. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ "Prison's drugs and rat problems". BBC News. 25 February 2004. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ Hardwick, Nick (November 2011). "Report on an unannounced full follow-up inspection of HMP Wealstun" (PDF). justiceinspectorates.co.uk. p. 6. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ^ Harrogate Advertiser, New Chapel opens, published 2 November 2005, accessed 21 August 2018
- ^ "Tycoon's rape parole denied". BBC News. BBC. 14 April 1999. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
