Crumlin Road (HM Prison)
Coordinates: 54°36′32″N 5°56′31″W / 54.609°N 5.942°W / 54.609; -5.942
| Location | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Status | Undergoing renovation |
| Security class | High |
| Capacity | Variable |
| Opened | 1846 |
| Closed | 31 March 1996 |
HMP Belfast, also known as Crumlin Road Gaol, is a former prison situated on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is the only Victorian era prison remaining in Northern Ireland and has been derelict since 1996. It is popularly known as the Crum.
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 and was used to transport the prisoners to the courthouse. During the history of the prison between 1846 and 31 March 1996, when it was closed, an estimated 25,000 prisoners were held here.
Read more about Crumlin Road (HM Prison): Early History, Executions, Escapes and Later History
Famous quotes containing the word road:
“Telephone poles were matchsticks, put there to be snapped off at a whim. Dogs trotting across the road were suddenly big trucks. Old ladies turned into moving—vans. Everything was too bright, but very funny and made for my delight. And about half a mile from my long liquid breakfast I turned carefully down a side street and parked, and sat beaming happily through the tannic fog for about an hour, remembering how witty we all had been, how handsome and talented ... [ellipsis in original]”
—M.F.K. Fisher (1908–1992)