Report - HMP Kingston, August 2021

[Dragon_Urbex]

HMP Kingston is a former Category B/C men’s prison in Kingston, Portsmouth. The building was originally built in 1877, designed by George Rake and built in the radial plan, with a central block in the middle used by guards to observe prisoners from a 360 view. The prison was closed in 2013 as part of the government’s planned closures of older prisons. Between then and 2020, the site sat almost virtually unused. However now, it is being developed by Homes England into around 100 houses and flats.

The Explore:

My friends @Landie_Man and Robin and I ventured to this site after a previous explore. The access was really surprisingly easy, given that this was a prison. There are holes everywhere now! However, once inside it was sadly evident that conversion work was well underway inside, with many of the cells broken up into larger rooms to be converted into flats. However, saying that, there were still some rather nice remaining features, such as the wrought iron stairs and railings and a few cell doors still intact. Overall, it was a slight letdown but nevertheless an interesting explore. Enjoy the photographs.

Thanks for readin'!

 

[Bikin Glynn]

Despite the work that is still rather lovely

 

[Mikeymutt]

Still some really nice features in there though..

 

[KPUrban_]

Considering how far it is under demolition that cell block is lovely

 

[Calamity Jane]

Still got the features of a prison. Just main corridors and workshops/gym, I couldn't see. Well worth an explore. Great shots there. The build is fab. But fuck buying a flat that was once a prison

 

[Dragon_Urbex]

Despite the work that is still rather lovely

There are some good things still left there but almost none of the cells were actually intact, hence no photos. A lot of them have walls that are punched through which is a shame.

 

[Dragon_Urbex]

Still some really nice features in there though..

Aye, definitely!

 

[Dragon_Urbex]

Considering how far it is under demolition that cell block is lovely

Yeah, it's a good example of a radial prison layout.

 

[Dragon_Urbex]

Still got the features of a prison. Just main corridors and workshops/gym, I couldn't see. Well worth an explore. Great shots there. The build is fab. But fuck buying a flat that was once a prison

Thank you very much! Yeah, stuck my head into one of the finished flats. So pokey and claustrophobic. Wouldn't like to stay in it long.

 

[HughieD]

Good work. Got in there just in the nick-of-time!

 

[Dragon_Urbex]

Good work. Got in there just in the nick-of-time!

Thanks. Yeah, I certainly think so. The main admin wing has been almost fully converted. Only a matter of time before the wings are as well.

 

[tumbles]

Lovely stuff, good that these old City/Castle style prisons are being documented as won't be long till they are all gone.

 

[Speed]

Shame really. Thought the prisons would be the new asylums when they started closing but not to be!

 

[Dragon_Urbex]

Lovely stuff, good that these old City/Castle style prisons are being documented as won't be long till they are all gone.

Thanks. Aye, the castellated prisons are interesting. Reading Prison used to have a huge battlemented wall with towers with decorative brickwork and stone dressings. I believe it was to strike fear into criminals or something psychological like that. Nevertheless not many exist anymore which is really sad!

 

[Dragon_Urbex]

Shame really. Thought the prisons would be the new asylums when they started closing but not to be!

Hah, got to find ways over the damn walls!!