HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs

Have you ever wondered about the stories locked behind these walls? Here you are standing before HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs, a place where history and hardship have intertwined for over a century. Built in the 1870s, it started as a national prison for long-term convicts. The prison, constructed by the very prisoners it was meant to hold, was initially called “The Scrubs” because it was situated on the edge of a large area of open parkland. The design of Wormwood Scrubs is interesting. It was created according to what was called a ‘telegraph-pole’ plan. The prison consisted of detached pavilions connected by a covered passageway and looked like a pavilion-plan hospital. Prisoners spent their days doing various tasks, including boot-making, mat making, and even creating coal sacks for the Navy. Over time, HMP Wormwood Scrubs became a local prison, housing petty offenders. It also served as a Borstal, which is a special training center for young offenders, and is now a Category B prison, holding both remand and short-term prisoners. The prison was even used by the UK’s internal security service, MI5, during the Second World War. Now, just looking at this somber edifice, we can almost hear the whispers of stories untold, tales of redemption, despair, and resilience. The prison is a reminder of the complexities of justice and the enduring power of the human spirit. But, on a more cheerful note, a small section of the prison has become Grade II listed. So, even in this place of confinement, beauty can be found. The prison’s entrance gateway, in particular, has been designated as Grade II*, making it a building of special architectural interest.