HM Prison Belmarsh

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His Majesty's Prison Belmarsh is a Category A men's prison located in Thamesmead, south-east London, England. Belmarsh Prison is run by His Majesty's Prison Service and is situated next to HMP Isis and HMP Thameside. The prison is used for high-profile prisoners, particularly those concerning national security. Within the grounds of the prison is the High Security Unit (HSU), consisting of 48 single cells.

Belmarsh is nicknamed "Hellmarsh", owing to the high number of physical and authority abuses reported by both the prison's inmates (including former politician Jeffrey Archer, who coined the name and was imprisoned there for four years for perjury), and human rights activists.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

History

Belmarsh Prison was built on part of the East site of the former Royal Arsenal in Woolwich and became operational on 2 April 1991. It adjoins Woolwich Crown Court.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 1991, the armed robber Ronnie Field, an associate of London gangland boss Joey Pyle, was the first person to be held in Belmarsh's High Security Unit, shortly followed by members of the Arifs, a south-east London-based Turkish Cypriot gang, and those convicted of the £10 million Heathrow airport diamond heist.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Between 2001 and 2002, Belmarsh Prison was used to detain a number of people indefinitely without charge or trial under the provisions of Part 4 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, leading it to be called the "British version of Guantanamo Bay".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Law Lords later ruled in A v Secretary of State for the Home Dept that such imprisonment was discriminatory and against the Human Rights Act 1998.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

It is often used for detention for terrorist-related offences. In September 2006, 51 such prisoners were held.<ref>Template:UK Parliament</ref>

In 2009, an archaeological dig on the site led to the discovery of a nearly 6,000-year-old wooden trackway, which, behind Sweet Track near Glastonbury is the second oldest discovered in the British Isles.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In November 2009, an inspection report from the Chief Inspector of Prisons criticised the "extremely high" amount of force used to control inmates.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The report also stated that an unusually high number of prisoners had reported being intimidated or victimised by staff.

In 2010, HMP Isis Young Offenders Institution opened within its perimeter wall.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Jenny Louis, when appointed governor, was Britain’s first female black prison governor.

The prison today

File:HMP Belmarsh, from carpark.jpg
Car park and main entrance

Belmarsh is a Category A Prison holding inmates from all over England and Wales. It also houses other categories of prisoners from primarily the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) and Magistrates' Courts in South East London, as well as Crown and Magistrates' Courts in South West Essex. Accommodation at the prison is a mixture of approximately 60% multi-occupancy cells and 40% single cells, distributed mainly across four residential units.<ref name="Belmarsh Prison">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Inmates at Belmarsh have access to education, workshops<ref name="Belmarsh Prison"/> and two gyms. The gym staff have a partnership with Charlton Athletic F.C. to deliver FA accredited coaching courses for prisoners.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

A listener scheme for prisoners at risk from suicide or self-harm is in operation, as well as a support group providing advice on immigration law for foreign national prisoners.<ref name="Belmarsh Prison"/>

Notable inmates

Current inmates

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|CitationClass=web }}</ref> rapist and killer who committed Hunt family murders in July 2024. Also known as the "Crossbow Killer."

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> sex offender who was convicted of the gross negligence manslaughter of his newborn daughter after going on the run in 2023.

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> the "Night Stalker", serial rapist and burglar.

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> murdered two men and attempted to dispose of their remains at Clifton Suspension Bridge in July 2024.

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> shot dead his mother, brother and sister and also plotted to carry out a school shooting.

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> convicted of possessing terrorist material and ricin; murdered 3 children and attempted to murder 10 others in the 2024 Southport stabbings.

Former inmates

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|CitationClass=web }}</ref> moved to HM Prison Full Sutton.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> moved to HM Prison Frankland<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> moved to HM Prison Long Lartin.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> moved to HM Prison Full Sutton.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> moved to HM Prison Frankland.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

References

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