Manchester (HM Prison)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

HM Prison Manchester is a British prison, also known (now unofficially, since in the 1990s prisons were all renamed) as Strangeways Prison.

Contents 1 History 1.1 As a place of execution 1.1.1 Other executions 1.2 Strangeways riots 2 Notable inmates 3 Cultural references 4 References 5 External links

[edit] History

Construction of the grade II listed prison was completed in 1869 to replace the New Bailey prison in Salford, which closed in 1868. The prison was designed by Alfred Waterhouse in 1862, cost £170,000, had a capacity of 1000 inmates and its 234 ft high tower has become a local landmark.^[1] The prison buildings consist of two radial blocks with a total of nine wings (A, B, C, D, E in one block, and G, H, I, K in the second).^[2] It was built on the grounds of Strangeways Park and Gardens, which gave the prison its original name, and was officially opened on June 25, 1868.

The prison was open to both male and female prisoners until 1963, and in 1980 it began to accept remand prisoners.

[edit] As a place of execution

Originally, the prison sported an execution shed in B wing, however after the First World War a special execution room and cell for the condemned criminal were constructed. Strangeways was also one of the few prisons to have permanent gallows.^[3] The first execution was of twenty year old murderer Michael Johnson, hanged by William Calcraft on March 29, 1869.

Twenty-nine hangings took place in the next twenty years, with a further 71 taking place in the 20th century, bringing the total number of hangings at the prison to 100 people. However, during the later half of the century, the number of executions decreased, with no hangings taking place between 1954 and 1962. John Robson Walby (alias Gwynne Owen Evans), one of the final two people to be hanged in England, was executed at Strangeways on August 13, 1964. Out of the 100 total hangings, there were four double hangings, the rest were done individually. The infamous 'quickest hanging' of 7 seconds by Albert Pierrepoint took place at Strangeways.

[edit] Other executions

Mary Ann Britland (38) was executed on August 9, 1886, she was the first woman to be executed at Strangeways, for the murder of two family members and her neighbour. On August 7, 1879, John Jackson was also executed. Lieutenant Frederick Rothwell Holt was hanged on April 13, 1920 for the murder of twenty-six year old Kathleen Breaks, and Louie Calvert was hanged on June 24, 1926 (here is a link to the story of her case).

Doctor Buck Ruxton was executed on May 12, 1936 for the double murder of his wife and his house maid. The public was so sure of his innocence that a petition for clemency was signed by 10,000 people.^[4] Margaret Allen, for the murder of an elderly widower, was hanged on January 12, 1949 by Albert Pierrepoint. Her execution was the first of a woman in Britain for twelve years.^[5] and the third ever at Strangeways. After the infamous seven second hanging, Albert Pierrepoint executed Louisa May Merrifield (46), the fourth and last woman to be executed at the prison.mm

[edit] Strangeways riots

Between April 1 and the April 25, 1990, 147 staff and 47 prisoners were injured in a series of riots by prison inmates. There was one fatality among the prisoners, and one prison officer also died^[6]. Much of the original prison was damaged or destroyed during the riots. Several inmates were charged with various offences, and as a result, among others, Paul Taylor and Alan Lord faced a five month trial as its ringleaders. Both Taylor and Lord were acquitted of murder. The riots also resulted in the Woolfe Inquiry, and the prison was rebuilt and renamed as Her Majesty's Prison, Manchester.

The prison has been put out of tender on two occasions, and been reopened in 1994 and 2001.

[edit] Notable inmates

• Harold Shipman - held there on remand whilst awaiting trial.
• James Inglis - the world's fastest hanging
• Ian Brown - Rock Singer jailed for "air rage", released December 1999
• David Dickinson - TV "celeb" specialising in antiques - imprisoned for fraud in pre-celeb days
• Gordon Park - in 2005 convicted for the murder of his first wife, Carol Park, in 1976.

As of 2005, it holds just over 1,200 inmates.

[edit] Cultural references

• Strangeways, a track on the 1987 rock album The House of Blue Light by Deep Purple
• Strangeways, Here We Come, 1987 rock album by The Smiths.
• 'Mad' Frankie Fraser (1982) Held on 'A' Wing and excused boots for supposed fallen arches.
• Eric Allison (1970) Went on to be 'The Guardian' Prison Reporter and author of 'A Serious Disturbance' a book giving an account of Strangeways Riot.

[edit] References

1. ^ http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/strangeway.html
2. ^ http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/prisoninformation/locateaprison/prison.asp?id=618,15,2,15,618,0
3. ^ http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/strangeway.html
4. ^ http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/strangeway.html
5. ^ http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/strangeway.html
6. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/1/newsid_4215000/4215173.stm

• http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/strangeway.html
• http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/prisoninformation/locateaprison/prison.asp?id=618,15,2,15,618,0

[edit] External links

• In-depth history of Manchester Prison
• HM Prison Service site
• Images of England - details from listed building database - gatehouse
• Images of England - details from listed building database - main block
• Images of England - details from listed building database - central tower
• Images of England - details from listed building database - boys' block

Coordinates: 53°29′33″N, 2°14′47″W