Autumn Statement: Europe's largest female prison, HMP Holloway, earmarked for closure

Inmates will be moved to Bronzefield women’s prison, close to Heathrow airport

(Reuters)

Europe’s largest women’s prison is set to close to make way for housing on valuable land in north London.

HMP Holloway, which can hold nearly 600 inmates and opened in 1852, is earmarked for closure next summer when inmates will be moved to two existing prisons on the outskirts of the capital. Prison inspectors have previously highlighted the prison’s location as being a “major strength” allowing women to be held close to their families. However, they said that the jail’s size and poor design made it difficult to run.

Inmates will be moved to Bronzefield women’s prison, close to Heathrow airport, which opened in 2004 and to the refurbished former men’s prison of Downview, near Banstead in Surrey.

The Justice Secretary Michael Gove said: “This will allow women to be held in an environment that is more appropriate for many of those currently sent to Holloway. Both provide a better setting for children visiting their mothers. Both are well located with good transport links.”

The announcement comes two years after prison inspectors praised reforms at the jail following years of criticisms over the treatment and care of often vulnerable women.

Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “Holloway is not a dilapidated Victorian prison but was itself built only 30 years ago. It was the future once. When will we understand that building new prisons is not the answer?”

George Osborne also announced that £700m would be spent on new technology to speed up criminal trials. Mr Gove called for the cash in June in his first speech as Justice Secretary when he criticised the “creaking and outdated” criminal justice system.