HM Prison Peterhead facts for kids
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| Location | Peterhead, Scotland, UK |
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| Coordinates | 57°29′24″N 1°47′14″W / 57.49000°N 1.78722°W |
| Status | Historical museum |
| Capacity | 152 (February 2012) |
| Opened | 1888 |
| Closed | 2013 |
| Managed by | Scottish Prison Service |
| Governor | Michael Hebden |
HMP Peterhead was a prison located in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It operated for many years, from 1888 until 2013. Today, the old prison building has a new purpose. Since June 2016, it has been open to the public as the Peterhead Prison Museum.
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History of Peterhead Prison
Peterhead Convict Prison was built around 1888. It was designed to hold about 208 prisoners. This prison was special because it was Scotland's only "convict prison." This meant it was for prisoners who had been sentenced to "hard labour," which involved difficult physical work.
Over the years, the number of prisoners often went above the planned capacity. For example, in 1911, it held 455 people. New buildings were added in 1909, 1960, and 1962 to help with space. By 2012, the prison could hold up to 142 prisoners.
The prison closed its doors in 2013. A new prison, called HMP Grampian, took its place. HMP Grampian was the first prison in Scotland to house young people, men, and women all together. The first prisoners moved into the new facility on March 2, 2014.
Before Peterhead Convict Prison opened, Scottish prisoners who were sentenced to hard labour were sent to England. Peterhead Prison changed this by providing a place for them in Scotland.
Prisoners at Peterhead helped with important construction work. They worked in Stirlinghill Quarry and at the Admiralty Yard, which was connected to the prison. Their work supported a team of civilian workers who were building a large breakwater for a harbour. This project was unique because it had Scotland's only state-owned railway that carried passengers at the time.
The 1987 Prison Incident
On September 28, 1987, a serious incident happened in one part of the prison, called D wing. Prisoners took control of the building and held a prison officer, Jackie Stuart, hostage. Mr. Stuart was 56 years old.
The prisoners involved had been sentenced for very serious crimes. They held the officer up in the high parts of the building. When talks to resolve the situation failed, the government sent in a special military unit called the SAS. This elite team was sent by the Home Secretary, Douglas Hurd, to end the incident.
The SAS operation took place on October 3. It was successful. The prison officer was safely released without harm, and order was brought back to the prison.
Life at Peterhead Prison
Peterhead Prison was known for having tough conditions for prisoners. Some people even called it "a prison of no hope." An inspection in 2005 noted that electricity had only recently been installed in all the cells. Also, a practice called "slopping out," where prisoners had to empty their waste buckets, was still happening.
Discussions about building a new prison to replace Peterhead started in 2006. Parts of the old prison began to be taken down on February 13, 2012. The new HMP Grampian was planned to open in late 2013 or early 2014. Peterhead Prison officially closed on December 6, 2013. The new HMP Grampian can hold about 500 prisoners, including both adults and young people, from the northern part of Scotland.
Filming at the Prison
The historic Peterhead Prison has become a popular spot for filming movies and TV shows. In 2016, it was used as a location for the British action film Redcon-1, which was released in 2018.
In January 2022, the prison was again used for filming. It became a set for the Channel 4 TV series Screw. This prison drama was produced by STV Studios and starred actresses Jamie-Lee O'Donnell and Nina Sosanya. The show was so popular that it was confirmed for a second season.
Peterhead Prison Museum
Today, the old prison building has been transformed into the Peterhead Prison Museum. Visitors can take an audio-guided tour to explore many parts of the former prison. You can see the cells where prisoners lived, the exercise areas, the kitchens, the laundry, and even the hospital and other rooms. There is also a small cafeteria on the first floor for visitors.
