HM Prison Dartmoor: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox HM Prison |
{{Infobox HM Prison |
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| name = HMP Dartmoor |
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| image = Dartmoor Prison and North Hessary.jpg |
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| size = 200px |
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| caption = |
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| opened = 1809 |
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| type = Adult Male/Category C |
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| figures = 646 (December 2007) |
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| location = [[Princetown, England|Princetown]], [[Devon]] |
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| governor = Tony Corcoran |
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| prisonid = 322 |
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}} |
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'''HM Prison Dartmoor''' is a [[Prison security categories in the United Kingdom|Category C]] men's [[prison]], located in [[Princetown, England|Princetown]], high on [[Dartmoor]] in the [[England|English]] [[county]] of [[Devon]]. Its high [[granite]] walls dominate this area of the [[moorland|moor]]. The prison is owned by the [[Duchy of Cornwall]], and is operated by [[Her Majesty's Prison Service]]. |
'''HM Prison Dartmoor''' is a [[Prison security categories in the United Kingdom|Category C]] men's [[prison]], located in [[Princetown, England|Princetown]], high on [[Dartmoor]] in the [[England|English]] [[county]] of [[Devon]]. Its high [[granite]] walls dominate this area of the [[moorland|moor]]. The prison is owned by the [[Duchy of Cornwall]], and is operated by [[Her Majesty's Prison Service]]. |
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* ''[[Dressed to Kill (1946 film)|Dressed to Kill]]'', A 1946 [[Sherlock Holmes]] film uses Dartmoor Prison in the plot as the supposed location where three music boxes were made that contain a secret code for a criminal gang.<ref>[http://www.bfronline.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=225&Itemid=9 - Paul Spiring at BFRonline.biz]</ref> |
* ''[[Dressed to Kill (1946 film)|Dressed to Kill]]'', A 1946 [[Sherlock Holmes]] film uses Dartmoor Prison in the plot as the supposed location where three music boxes were made that contain a secret code for a criminal gang.<ref>[http://www.bfronline.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=225&Itemid=9 - Paul Spiring at BFRonline.biz]</ref> |
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* The [[Goon Show]] episode, ''Tales of Old Dartmoor'' has the prison put to sea for a holiday in France, visiting the Chateau D'Ief, and replaced by a cardboard replica after it goes down with all hands after Moriarty and Grytpype-Thinne attempt to find a clue to the Treasure of Monte-Christo. |
* The [[Goon Show]] episode, ''Tales of Old Dartmoor'' has the prison put to sea for a holiday in France, visiting the Chateau D'Ief, and replaced by a cardboard replica after it goes down with all hands after Moriarty and Grytpype-Thinne attempt to find a clue to the Treasure of Monte-Christo. |
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*Comedy Band [[The Barron Knights]]' 1978 UK #3 hit single ''A Taste Of Aggro'', a [[medley]] of parodies, included a version of ''The Smurf Song'' featuring, in place of the [[Smurfs]], a group of bank robbers from [[Catford]] who have escaped from Dartmoor Prison.<ref>http://www.lyricsondemand.com/b/barronknightslyrics/atasteofaggrolyrics.html</ref> |
* Comedy Band [[The Barron Knights]]' 1978 UK #3 hit single ''A Taste Of Aggro'', a [[medley]] of parodies, included a version of ''The Smurf Song'' featuring, in place of the [[Smurfs]], a group of bank robbers from [[Catford]] who have escaped from Dartmoor Prison.<ref>http://www.lyricsondemand.com/b/barronknightslyrics/atasteofaggrolyrics.html</ref> |
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* In 1988, the prison played host to a storyline in ''[[EastEnders]]'', where [[Den Watts]] (played by [[Leslie Grantham]]) was being held on remand for [[arson]]. He was also joined for some of the storyline by [[Nick Cotton]] (played by [[John Altman (actor)|John Altman]]), who was imprisoned for a different offence. The prison was called [[Dickens Hill]]. |
* In 1988, the prison played host to a storyline in ''[[EastEnders]]'', where [[Den Watts]] (played by [[Leslie Grantham]]) was being held on remand for [[arson]]. He was also joined for some of the storyline by [[Nick Cotton]] (played by [[John Altman (actor)|John Altman]]), who was imprisoned for a different offence. The prison was called [[Dickens Hill]]. |
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* Dartmoor is frequently mentioned in the ''[[Agent Z]]'' series of comical children’s books written by [[Mark Haddon]]. |
* Dartmoor is frequently mentioned in the ''[[Agent Z]]'' series of comical children’s books written by [[Mark Haddon]]. |
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Revision as of 01:09, 26 October 2010
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| Location | Princetown, Devon |
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| Opened | 1809 |
| Governor | Tony Corcoran |
HM Prison Dartmoor is a Category C men's prison, located in Princetown, high on Dartmoor in the English county of Devon. Its high granite walls dominate this area of the moor. The prison is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, and is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service.
The prison today
Dartmoor still has a misplaced reputation for being a high-security prison that is escape-proof. Now a Category C prison, Dartmoor houses mainly non-violent offenders and white-collar criminals.
Dartmoor offers cellular accommodation on 6 wings. Education is available at the prison (full and part time), and ranges from basic educational skills to Open University courses. Vocational training includes electronics, brickwork and carpentry courses up to City & Guilds and NVQ level, Painting and Decorating courses, industrial cleaning and Desk Top Publishing. Full time employment is also available in catering, farming, gardening, laundry, textiles, Braille, contract services, furniture manufacturing and polishing. Employment is supported with NVQ or City & Guilds vocational qualifications. All courses and qualifications at Dartmoor are operated by Stroud College and Cornwall College.
The 'Dartmoor Jailbreak' is a yearly charity event, where civilians (not prisoners) 'escape' from the prison and must travel as far as possible in 4 days, whilst in convict clothing and without directly paying for transport.[1]
Dartmoor Prison Museum
The Dartmoor Prison Museum, located in the old dairy buildings, focuses on the history of HMP Dartmoor. Exhibits include the prison's role in housing prisoners of war from the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812, manacles and weapons, memorabilia, clothing and uniforms, famous prisoners, and the changed focus of the prison.
Notable former inmates
- Michael Davitt
- Peter Hammond, founder of Hammond, Louisiana, USA
- Fred Longden
- John Rodker
- Moondyne Joe
- Thomas William Jones, Baron Maelor
- Arthur Owens
- Selden
- Éamon de Valera
- John Williams
- Frank Mitchell
In popular culture
 | This april 2010 contains a list of miscellaneous information. (April 2010) |
- Decline and Fall, a novel by Evelyn Waugh, first published in 1928 makes thinly disguised references to Dartmoor Prison.
- Dartmoor Prison is mentioned in The Thirteen Problems, a short story collection written by Agatha Christie, and first published in 1932.
- Arthur Conan Doyle made reference to 'Princetown Prison' in four stories that he wrote between 1890 and 1903.[2]
- Dressed to Kill, A 1946 Sherlock Holmes film uses Dartmoor Prison in the plot as the supposed location where three music boxes were made that contain a secret code for a criminal gang.[3]
- The Goon Show episode, Tales of Old Dartmoor has the prison put to sea for a holiday in France, visiting the Chateau D'Ief, and replaced by a cardboard replica after it goes down with all hands after Moriarty and Grytpype-Thinne attempt to find a clue to the Treasure of Monte-Christo.
- Comedy Band The Barron Knights' 1978 UK #3 hit single A Taste Of Aggro, a medley of parodies, included a version of The Smurf Song featuring, in place of the Smurfs, a group of bank robbers from Catford who have escaped from Dartmoor Prison.[4]
- In 1988, the prison played host to a storyline in EastEnders, where Den Watts (played by Leslie Grantham) was being held on remand for arson. He was also joined for some of the storyline by Nick Cotton (played by John Altman), who was imprisoned for a different offence. The prison was called Dickens Hill.
- Dartmoor is frequently mentioned in the Agent Z series of comical children’s books written by Mark Haddon.
- Dartmoor prison is implicated in the local Dartmoor 'Hairy hands' ghost story/legend.
- Dartmoor prison plays a central role in "The Lively Lady," American author Kenneth Roberts' 1931 historical novel taking place during The War of 1812
