The UK features several “extraordinary” prison buildings, notable either for their historic and often imposing Victorian architecture, or for their contrastingly modern, purpose-built, and rehabilitative designs.
Historic & Architectural Landmarks
Many older prisons are significant for their unique historical architecture, often rooted in 18th and 19th-century penal reform theories like the “separate system”.
- Lincoln Castle Victorian Prison. (Lincolnshire) A significant example of 19th-century penal architecture, it features the world’s only surviving original “separate system” chapel, where prisoners were segregated in individual stalls to prevent communication. The site is now a museum where visitors can explore the restored cells.
- HMP Dartmoor. (Devon) One of Britain’s most notorious and imposing prisons, it has been an operational prison for centuries, with a rich history of housing famous criminals. Its granite construction and remote location on Dartmoor make it visually striking.
- Bodmin Jail. (Cornwall) Originally built for King George III in 1779, this historic building is now a luxury hotel and visitor attraction. Its architectural history provides insight into Cornish penal life, and the conversion has preserved many original features, blending them with modern luxury.
Modern & Innovative Designs
More recent prison architecture in the UK has moved away from the Victorian model, aiming for designs that support rehabilitation and reduce reoffending.
- HMP Millsike. (Yorkshire) Opened in early 2025, this is the UK’s first all-electric prison, designed with modern methods of construction and state-of-the-art technology to use approximately 68% less energy than previous prison builds.
- HMP Fosse Way and HMP Five Wells. (Leicestershire/Northamptonshire) These new “mega-prisons” (both open) feature designs that dispense with the traditional Victorian-style gallery cell blocks, instead arranging cells in smaller, more social groups around landscaped courtyards to encourage better staff-prisoner relationships and aid rehabilitation.
PTSG provides a mixture of testing and inspection services for the UK Prison Service spanning several business divisions. They include:
- Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)
- Electrical Installation Condition Reporting (EICR)
- Lightning Protection Testing
- Chimney and Flagpole Testing
One of the main advantages PTSG offers is its ability to offer bundled services solutions to customers in all industry sectors. In doing so, the Group can often meet their full specialist services requirements – simplifying the process and saving them money.
