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Crumlin Road (HM Prison)

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HMP Belfast, also known as Crumlin Road Gaol is a former prison situated in north Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is the only Victorian era prison remaining in Northern Ireland and has been derelict since 1996.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency has given it a grade A listed building status because of its architectural and historical significance. The Crumlin Road Courthouse, also derelict, stands opposite the Gaol. A tunnel under the main road connects the two buildings.

Contents

[edit] History

Designed by Sir Charles Lanyon, the Gaol was built between 1843 and 1845. Partly based on HM Prison Pentonville, it was one of the most advanced prisons of its day. Comprising four wings which are up to four stories in height, the gaol had 640 cells. The first inmates, who were forced to walk from Carrickfergus Prison in chains, arrived in 1846. Seventeen prisoners were executed there, the last being hanged in 1961. Two further bodies were removed from the burial site in Crumlin Road Gaol and re-buried in Miltown Cemetery. The remaining 15 prison graves are not accessible by the public.

For the last thirty years of its working life until it closed on 31 March 1996, Crumlin Road prison served as a remand centre for suspected terrorist and paramilitary prisoners awaiting trial.

During The Troubles several prison officers from HMP Belfast were killed by prisoners from both the republican and loyalist sides.[citation needed]


In 1941, 6 men escaped from "The Crum", as it was also known. These men were IRA volunteers. Their names were: Phil McTaggart, Joe Watson, Eddie "i was there" Keenan, Liam Burke, and the mastermind Gerry "the bird" Docherty.

The plan was made by Gerry "the bird" who had decided from the day he was interned (arrested without with charge) that he would escape. The plan was simple. They took part of the bed to make a grappling hook and some braces to brace the hook. The first hook failed by falling apart; it was quickly repaired but it was too soon a few nights later they tried again. They sneaked out and when the hook was secure they started to climb. The last man would not have made it had it not been for two other volunteers, as the warder came on the scene. He grabbed the last man's foot but these two men held him back and give the fleeing man time to climb.

Eddie Keenan also did time in the Curragh. Before he was moved he was held in Mountjoy with famed Irish writer, Brenden Behan when the poet was arrested and detained for 3 weeks. The two sang songs through the night in protest of their arrests, then later met face to face in the Curragh.

[edit] Past inmates

The following individuals have been imprisoned at the prison for offences relating to the Troubles:

[edit] Future plans

There are plans to develop the prison as a museum and film set. It is opened to the public now daily for tours which have to be pre booked]]. It is used for cultural events from time to time, including the screening of Frank Darabont's The Shawshank Redemption in 2001.

The North Belfast Community Action Unit has been charged with developing the site. £3.8m has been allocated from the sale of a former British Army base on the Malone Road.

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crumlin_Road_(HM_Prison)"
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