If you’re curious about how many prisons are in London, then you’ve come to the right place. As of 2021, there are currently ten prisons operating in London.
Each one of these facilities serves a specific purpose and has its own unique history. Let’s take a closer look at each one of them.
Pentonville Prison
Pentonville Prison is one of the most well-known prisons in London. It was established in 1842 and is located on Caledonian Road in the borough of Islington. This facility is a Category B prison, which means it’s designed for inmates who need a high degree of security but aren’t considered to be the most dangerous or difficult to manage.
Wormwood Scrubs
Wormwood Scrubs is another famous prison in London. It’s located on Du Cane Road in the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and was established in 1874. This facility is also a Category B prison that primarily houses adult males.
Brixton Prison
Brixton Prison is located on Jebb Avenue in the borough of Lambeth. It was established in 1820 and is a Category C prison that primarily houses adult males.
Belmarsh
Belmarsh is a high-security prison located on Western Way in the borough of Greenwich. It was established in 1991 and is designed to hold some of the most dangerous and high-profile offenders, including those convicted of terrorism-related offenses.
Wandsworth Prison
Wandsworth Prison is one of the largest prisons in London and was established way back in 1851. It’s located on Heathfield Road in the borough of Wandsworth and primarily houses adult males.
Bullingdon Prison
Bullingdon Prison isn’t technically located within London, but it’s included in this list because it’s close enough and houses a significant number of inmates from the city. This facility is located in Bicester, Oxfordshire and is a Category B/C prison for adult males.
Brixton Women’s Prison
Brixton Women’s Prison is located on Jebb Avenue in the borough of Lambeth. It was established in 1820 and is designed to hold female prisoners.
Downview Prison
Downview Prison is another facility that primarily houses female prisoners. It’s located on Sutton Lane in the borough of Sutton and was established in 2008.
Feltham Young Offenders Institution
Feltham Young Offenders Institution is located on Bedfont Road in the borough of Hounslow. As its name suggests, this facility primarily houses young offenders aged between 15-21 years old.
ISIS Training Centre
The ISIS Training Centre isn’t technically a prison, but it’s included in this list because it functions as a detention center for those who have been convicted or suspected of terrorism-related offenses. It’s located on HMP Belmarsh grounds.
- In conclusion,
So there you have it – ten prisons currently operating within London. Each facility serves a specific purpose and plays an important role within the criminal justice system. While being incarcerated is never an ideal situation, knowing what to expect can help make things a bit less daunting if you or someone you know ever finds themselves facing time behind bars.