Suffering, torment and death is deeply etched into the very fabric of this imposing prison
HMP Gloucester has a long and chilling history with many of the executed criminals remaining buried in the grounds of the prison. Some of the most infamous serial killers have been incarcerated within the walls of Gloucester Prison, one of these being Fred West who was held here before his horrific crimes of mass killings were uncovered. Said to have been incarcerated on what was once the Vulnerable Prisoners Unit, having been arrested for abuse towards his own daughter, Fred West became very familiar with Gloucester Prison. The charges were unfortunately later dropped which left him free to become the monster that he is infamous for today.
The prison formally closed on 31st March 2013 but the suffering and torment is deeply etched within the fabric of this forboding location.
Originally built as the County Gaol in 1700s at a cost of £34,000 with a capacity of 350 prisoners each in separate cells, there were also separate cells for debtors of both sexes. Between 1792 and 1864 at least 102 executions took place using the considered more humane ‘New Drop’ style gallows with many of the executed being buried in unmarked graves where they still remain today. The last prisoner to be hanged here was Ralph Smith who was hanged at 7pm on 4th March 1939. Smith was executed for the murder of his girlfriend, Beatrice Baxter. He slit her throat at the back of Argyle Street in Gloucester.
Gloucester Prison – Gloucester, Gloucestershire
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