HM Prison Dartmoor facts for kids
 |
|
| Location | Princetown, Devon |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 50°32′59″N 3°59′46″W / 50.54972°N 3.99611°W |
| Security class | Adult Male/Category C |
| Population | 640 (as of January 2016) |
| Opened | 1809 |
| Managed by | HM Prison Services |
| Website | Dartmoor at justice.gov.uk |
HM Prison Dartmoor is a special kind of prison for men, known as a Category C prison. This means it holds prisoners who are not considered the most dangerous. It's located in Princetown, high up on Dartmoor in Devon, England. The prison's tall granite walls stand out in the wild moorland area. It is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, which is a private estate belonging to the British royal family, and is run by His Majesty's Prison Service.
Dartmoor Prison is also a historic building, given a Grade II heritage listing in 1987.
A Look Back: Dartmoor Prison's Story
Early Days: A Prison for War Captives
Back in 1805, the United Kingdom was fighting the Napoleonic Wars against France. Thousands of captured soldiers were held in old ships called "hulks." These ships were not safe and had terrible living conditions. So, a new prison was planned in the quiet, isolated area of Dartmoor.
The prison was designed by Daniel Asher Alexander. Building started in 1806 and took three years. In 1809, the first French prisoners arrived, and the prison was soon full.
From 1813 to 1815, about 6,500 American sailors from the War of 1812 were also held at Dartmoor. Conditions were tough, with bad food and leaky roofs. Even though the British were in charge, the American prisoners created their own community inside. They had their own courts, a market, a theatre, and even a gambling room. About 1,000 of these prisoners were Black sailors.
Daring Escapes and Unrest
Dartmoor Prison was built to be very secure. It was in a remote spot, surrounded by high stone walls, and guarded by many armed soldiers. A rope with bells ran around the prison to quickly raise an alarm if someone tried to escape. Even if a prisoner got past the walls, they would have to travel ten miles across wild, foggy, and windy moorland to reach the nearest town. Local people could even get a reward for turning in an escapee. Despite these challenges, about 24 American prisoners managed to escape successfully.
The Dartmoor Incident
The War of 1812 officially ended in December 1814, but American prisoners stayed at Dartmoor for a few more months. They became very impatient to go home. On April 4, 1815, there was an argument over bad food, and the prisoners refused it. The prison's leader, Captain T. G. Shortland, worried they might try to break out.
On April 6, a hole was found in one of the prison walls. Some prisoners were outside the fence, and many more were near the hole. Captain Shortland sounded the alarm. A group of prisoners then broke a gate chain and moved into the prison market square. After attempts to calm them failed, soldiers fired shots over their heads. When the crowd yelled and threw stones, the soldiers fired directly into the crowd. Many prisoners were hurt, and seven were killed.
A special investigation looked into what happened. It found that Captain Shortland was not to blame for the initial shooting. The British government later paid money to the families of those who died and helped those who were injured.
A memorial stands at the prison for the 271 American prisoners who died there. By July 1815, at least 270 Americans and 1,200 French prisoners had died at Dartmoor.
From Old to New: Reopening and Changes
After all the French and American prisoners were sent home, the prison was empty for 35 years. Then, in 1850, work began to fix it up and reopen it for regular criminals. It opened again in 1851. The remains of the war prisoners, who had been buried on the moor, were moved to two cemeteries behind the prison around 1852.
During World War I in 1917, regular criminals were moved out. The prison was used as a work center for conscientious objectors. These were people who refused to fight in the war for moral or religious reasons. Their cells were left unlocked, they wore their own clothes, and could even visit the nearby village when they weren't working.
A Prison's Reputation: Famous Inmates and Challenges
In 1920, Dartmoor Prison started housing criminals from the UK. It became known for holding some of Britain's most serious offenders. These included people involved in organized crime and other serious offenses. Many prisoners tried to escape onto the moors, leading to big searches by the police and prison staff.
The 1932 Mutiny
The tough conditions at the prison led to a major riot on January 24, 1932. Prisoners were unhappy with the quality of the food. During a daily check, about 50 prisoners refused orders. The rest were sent back to their cells but would not go inside. The prison governor and his staff had to hide in a safe part of the prison. Prisoners then freed those held in solitary confinement. There was a lot of damage to the prison property. One prisoner was shot, but no prison staff were seriously hurt. Reinforcements arrived quickly, and the prisoners soon surrendered.
Notable People Held at Dartmoor
Over the years, many well-known people were held at Dartmoor, including:
- Michael Davitt, an Irish political leader.
- Moondyne Joe, a famous Australian bush ranger.
- Éamon de Valera, who later became a very important political leader in Ireland.
- Frank Mitchell, a well-known criminal.
- John George Haigh, a famous criminal.
Modern Operations
.jpg)
Dartmoor Prison is an old building, and its age has caused some problems. In 2001, a report criticized the sanitation and listed many urgent repairs needed. A year later, the prison changed to a Category C prison, meaning it holds less violent offenders. In 2002, a group called the Prison Reform Trust warned that the prison might be too crowded. However, a year later, the Chief Inspector of Prisons said the prison had greatly improved how it was run.
In 2008, prison staff voted that they had no confidence in the governor, saying they felt unsafe and bullied.
Today, Dartmoor is still a Category C prison. It mostly houses people who have committed non-violent crimes or white-collar crimes (crimes related to business or money).
The prison has cells across six wings. Prisoners can take full-time or part-time education courses, from basic skills to Open University courses. They can also learn job skills like electronics, brickwork, carpentry, Painting and Decorating, and desktop publishing. There are also full-time jobs available in areas like cooking, farming, gardening, and laundry. These jobs often come with official qualifications. All courses and qualifications at Dartmoor are run by South Gloucestershire and Stroud College and Cornwall College.
The "Dartmoor Jailbreak" is a fun event held every year. People "escape" from the prison and try to travel as far as they can in four days without paying for transport. They do this to raise money for charity.
In 2013, discussions began about the future of HMP Dartmoor. It was announced in 2019 that the prison would close in 2023. However, in December 2021, it was confirmed that Dartmoor Prison would stay open for the foreseeable future after new agreements were made.
In 2023, nearly 100 prisoners had to be moved because of radon gas in the prison. Radon is a natural gas that comes from uranium in the ground and rocks. Luckily, no health problems from radon have been reported at the prison.
Dartmoor Prison Museum
The Dartmoor Prison Museum is located in the old dairy buildings. It tells the story of HMP Dartmoor. You can see exhibits about its role in holding prisoners from the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812. There are also displays of manacles (old handcuffs) and weapons, uniforms, and information about famous prisoners. The museum also shows how the prison's focus has changed over time.
You can also learn about less known parts of the prison's history, such as when it held conscientious objectors during World War One. The museum sometimes sells items made by prisoners in their workshops, like garden ornaments.
