About Verne (Hm Prison)
HM Prison The Verne was a Category C men's prison, located within the historic Verne Citadel, on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, England. It was operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service, and occupied the southern part of the citadel. The prison was converted into an Immigration Removal Centre, which opened in March 2014. However the Verne officially remained a prison until September 2014. HistoryThe Verne Prison opened in 1949 within a former military citadel, which had been built between 1857–81, and designed by Captain W Crossman of the Royal Engineers, enclosing 56 acres to defend Portland Harbour. The Verne Citadel became a prison in 1949, while HM Prison Portland had become a Borstal Institution by this time. On 1 February 1949 an advance party of 20 prisoners arrived. The prison largely occupied the southern part of the citadel. Since becoming established the interior of the prison was substantially rebuilt by prison labour, and the modern prison, a Category C prison for adult males, gained a considerable training programme for its prisoners who were serving either medium and long term sentences, including life sentences. Allowing a form of public access for the first time, in November 2011, the prison service, opened a cafe in an old officer's mess building within the citadel. The Jailhouse Cafe continues to operate to date, offering experience to prisoners in attempts to reduce reoffending. It today uses prisoners on day release from HM Prison Portland.
Verne (Hm Prison) Description
HM Prison The Verne was a Category C men's prison, located within the historic Verne Citadel, on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, England. It was operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service, and occupied the southern part of the citadel. The prison was converted into an Immigration Removal Centre, which opened in March 2014. However the Verne officially remained a prison until September 2014. HistoryThe Verne Prison opened in 1949 within a former military citadel, which had been built between 1857–81, and designed by Captain W Crossman of the Royal Engineers, enclosing 56 acres to defend Portland Harbour. The Verne Citadel became a prison in 1949, while HM Prison Portland had become a Borstal Institution by this time. On 1 February 1949 an advance party of 20 prisoners arrived. The prison largely occupied the southern part of the citadel. Since becoming established the interior of the prison was substantially rebuilt by prison labour, and the modern prison, a Category C prison for adult males, gained a considerable training programme for its prisoners who were serving either medium and long term sentences, including life sentences. Allowing a form of public access for the first time, in November 2011, the prison service, opened a cafe in an old officer's mess building within the citadel. The Jailhouse Cafe continues to operate to date, offering experience to prisoners in attempts to reduce reoffending. It today uses prisoners on day release from HM Prison Portland.