The prison is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, and is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service. ==History== In 1805, the United Kingdom was at war with Napoleonic France, a conflict during which thousands of prisoners were taken and confined in prison "hulks" or derelict ships.
Construction started in 1806, taking three years to complete.
After originally being buried on the moor, due to the establishment of the prison farm in about 1852, all the prisoners' remains were exhumed and re-interred in two cemeteries behind the prison. ===Early history=== Designed by Daniel Asher Alexander and constructed originally between 1806 and 1809 by local labour, to hold prisoners of the Napoleonic Wars, it was also used to hold American prisoners from the War of 1812.
In 1809, the first French prisoners arrived and were joined by American POWs taken in the War of 1812.
After originally being buried on the moor, due to the establishment of the prison farm in about 1852, all the prisoners' remains were exhumed and re-interred in two cemeteries behind the prison. ===Early history=== Designed by Daniel Asher Alexander and constructed originally between 1806 and 1809 by local labour, to hold prisoners of the Napoleonic Wars, it was also used to hold American prisoners from the War of 1812.
In 1809, the first French prisoners arrived and were joined by American POWs taken in the War of 1812.
After originally being buried on the moor, due to the establishment of the prison farm in about 1852, all the prisoners' remains were exhumed and re-interred in two cemeteries behind the prison. ===Early history=== Designed by Daniel Asher Alexander and constructed originally between 1806 and 1809 by local labour, to hold prisoners of the Napoleonic Wars, it was also used to hold American prisoners from the War of 1812.
Exhibits include the prison's role in housing prisoners of war from the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812, manacles and weapons, memorabilia, clothing and uniforms, famous prisoners, and the changed focus of the prison.
Although the war ended with the Treaty of Ghent in December 1814, many American prisoners of war still remained in Dartmoor. From the spring of 1813 until March 1815, about 6,500 American sailors were imprisoned at Dartmoor.
Although the war ended with the Treaty of Ghent in December 1814, many American prisoners of war still remained in Dartmoor. From the spring of 1813 until March 1815, about 6,500 American sailors were imprisoned at Dartmoor.
About 1,000 of the prisoners were Black. After the prisoners heard of the Treaty of Ghent, signed on 24 December 1814, they expected immediate release, but the British government refused to let them go on parole or take any steps until the treaty was ratified by the United States Senate, 17 February 1815.
By July 1815 at least 270 Americans and 1,200 French prisoners had died.
Both French and North American wars were concluded in 1815, and repatriations began.
Although the war ended with the Treaty of Ghent in December 1814, many American prisoners of war still remained in Dartmoor. From the spring of 1813 until March 1815, about 6,500 American sailors were imprisoned at Dartmoor.
About 1,000 of the prisoners were Black. After the prisoners heard of the Treaty of Ghent, signed on 24 December 1814, they expected immediate release, but the British government refused to let them go on parole or take any steps until the treaty was ratified by the United States Senate, 17 February 1815.
The prison then lay empty until 1850, when it was largely rebuilt and commissioned as a convict gaol.
After originally being buried on the moor, due to the establishment of the prison farm in about 1852, all the prisoners' remains were exhumed and re-interred in two cemeteries behind the prison. ===Early history=== Designed by Daniel Asher Alexander and constructed originally between 1806 and 1809 by local labour, to hold prisoners of the Napoleonic Wars, it was also used to hold American prisoners from the War of 1812.
Christie's The Sittaford Mystery (1931) is set on Dartmoor and features an escaped prisoner. Arthur Conan Doyle made reference to 'Princetown Prison' in four stories that he wrote between 1890 and 1903.
Christie's The Sittaford Mystery (1931) is set on Dartmoor and features an escaped prisoner. Arthur Conan Doyle made reference to 'Princetown Prison' in four stories that he wrote between 1890 and 1903.
It was re-opened as a prison in 1920 and has contained some of Britain's most serious offenders. ===Dartmoor mutiny=== On 24 January 1932, there was a major disturbance at the prison.
It was re-opened as a prison in 1920 and has contained some of Britain's most serious offenders. ===Dartmoor mutiny=== On 24 January 1932, there was a major disturbance at the prison.
"A Balada do Cárcere" (1996) is a poetic recollection of the time spent in Dartmoor. Fahad Mihyi, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine terrorist behind the 1978 London bus attack ==In popular culture== In the 1963 James Bond movie From Russia with Love, the main villainous henchman, SPECTRE assassin Red Grant (played by Robert Shaw) is described as a psychopathic paranoid and a convicted murderer, who once escaped from Dartmoor Prison. The adventure story A Rogue by Compulsion.
"A Balada do Cárcere" (1996) is a poetic recollection of the time spent in Dartmoor. Fahad Mihyi, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine terrorist behind the 1978 London bus attack ==In popular culture== In the 1963 James Bond movie From Russia with Love, the main villainous henchman, SPECTRE assassin Red Grant (played by Robert Shaw) is described as a psychopathic paranoid and a convicted murderer, who once escaped from Dartmoor Prison. The adventure story A Rogue by Compulsion.
A cardboard replica is left in its place, which is left standing after the original Dartmoor Prison sinks with all hands at the end of the episode. In an episode of The Saint television series entitled "Escape Route" (1966), Simon Templar (Roger Moore) is sent to Dartmoor to uncover a planned escape. Comedy band The Barron Knights' 1978 UK No.
According to Fitzgerald (1977), "Reinforcements arrived, and within fifteen minutes these 'vicious brutes', who for some two hours had terrorized well-armed prison staff, and effectively controlled the prison, had surrendered and been locked up again". ===Post-2000 history=== Dartmoor Prison received a Grade II heritage listing in 1987. In 2001, a Board of Visitors report condemned sanitation, as well as highlighting a list of urgent repairs needed.
A year later, the prison was converted to a Category C prison for less violent offenders. In 2002, the Prison Reform Trust warned that the prison may be breaching the Human Rights Act 1998 due to severe overcrowding at the jail.
According to Fitzgerald (1977), "Reinforcements arrived, and within fifteen minutes these 'vicious brutes', who for some two hours had terrorized well-armed prison staff, and effectively controlled the prison, had surrendered and been locked up again". ===Post-2000 history=== Dartmoor Prison received a Grade II heritage listing in 1987. In 2001, a Board of Visitors report condemned sanitation, as well as highlighting a list of urgent repairs needed.
A year later, the prison was converted to a Category C prison for less violent offenders. In 2002, the Prison Reform Trust warned that the prison may be breaching the Human Rights Act 1998 due to severe overcrowding at the jail.
By doing so they raise money for charity. ==Future== In September 2013, it was announced that discussions would commence with the Duchy of Cornwall about the long-term future of HMP Dartmoor.
In January 2014 it was stated on the BBC news website that the notice period with the Duchy for closing is 10 years.
In November 2015 the Ministry of Justice confirmed that, as part of a major programme to replace older prisons, it would not renew its lease on the prison. It was announced on 25 October 2019 that HMP Dartmoor will close in 2023. ==Dartmoor Prison Museum== The Dartmoor Prison Museum, located in the old dairy buildings, focuses on the history of HMP Dartmoor.
In November 2015 the Ministry of Justice confirmed that, as part of a major programme to replace older prisons, it would not renew its lease on the prison. It was announced on 25 October 2019 that HMP Dartmoor will close in 2023. ==Dartmoor Prison Museum== The Dartmoor Prison Museum, located in the old dairy buildings, focuses on the history of HMP Dartmoor.
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