Dartmoor (HM Prison)

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HM Prison Dartmoor is located in Princetown, England, high on Dartmoor, and presents a bleak and formidable sight. Its high granite walls dominate this area of the moor. Easily distinguished at night by the bright red light, which gives the impression of descending into hell.

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. Although the war ended with the Treaty of Ghent in December 1814, many American prisoners of war still remained in Dartmoor. On April 6, 1815, 70 of them were massacred at the behest of the allegedly drunk British officer in charge, who thought that they were attempting to escape. A memorial to the 271 POWs (mostly seamen) who are buried in the prison grounds has been erected.

Dartmoor Prison was reopened in 1851 as a civilian prison, and has contained some of Britain's most serious offenders ever since. It has a misplaced reputation for being escape-proof.

There was a major riot in January 1932, which left much of the prison in ruins.

There is a small museum of prison life, which is open to the public at some times of the year.

There is also a yearly charity 'Dartmoor Jailbreak', where civilians (not prisoners) 'escape' from the prison and must travel as far as possible in 4 days, whilst in convict clothing and without directly paying for transport.

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