Gartree Prison
This
picture of H.M. Gartree by floodlight was taken around 1969. It was built
on a disused aerodrome on high ground just north of Market Harborough in
the late 50's / early 60's. After opening in 1965 as category C prison, it was soon upgraded to the status of 'maximum security' and was heavily floodlit at night, which meant that it could be seen from miles around.Today it is a category B training prison for adult males, and most of the lighting is unused.
The Prison hit the news headlines in 1987 with a daring helicopter escape, and in 1983 with a roof top protest by Michael Hickey.