Concrete Perimeter Walls

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

A 5.2m high reinforced concrete security wall extending around the entire perimeter of Zones F and J. The wall consist of pre-cast elements with footings extending within the prison. The wall consists of modular blocks stacked two high, The wall is strengthened or Reinforced on one side (external to perimeter wall) by buttresses at the junction of each pre-cast element. The external face of some elements retains a spayed render finish. The only difference between the perimeter walls and the internal walls (i.e. that to the east and south of Zone F) is that the internal wall is capped with razor wire and not the tubular copping present on the external walls.

Within the perimeter wall and offset from it are weldmesh fences supported on timber and steel posts which are set into small concrete strip foundations forming sterile areas or inertias. These had been fitted with movement sensors however they have been removed. Inertias are present along the inside of perimeter walls and the dividing walls between Zone F and Zone J.

Within the east wall defining Zone F2 and the South wall between Zone F and Zone J are the main vehicular ‘airlock’ entrances between Zones (G4&8). These are characterised by weldmesh vehicular and pedestrian fences and doors, controlled hydraulically. Both entrances have movement control towers from where the gates were operated. The towers form Secondary NIPS observation towers comprising steel frame clad in profiled metal sheets with internal ladder access to viewing platform. The walls offer 360 degree views and part cantilever the walls. The towers have lower lean-to’s housing the hydraulics. Four similar secondary NIPS towers are located in Zone F2. One retains an earlier corrugated sheet cladding.

The only vehicular entrance into Maze Cellular is located in the north perimeter wall of Zone F1. This comprises a hydraulically operated sliding steel door flanked by a pedestrian gate. To the east of this is a similar gate which provides access to the visitors block only.

Primary army manned watch towers are located on the outside of the perimeter wall. There are four abutting or immediately adjacent to the perimeter wall of Zones F and J. These comprise tall steel framed towers of square plan surmounted by observation platforms with a smaller square plan. The platforms are reached by a steel staircase via a floor hatch. Steel frame windows, with central sliding elements, are present on all four sides with gun mounting points on sills of all aspects.

Historical information

For a general history of the Prison site see HB19/04/030.

The outer perimeter walls range in date according to the Phases of construction of Maze Cellular. The earliest section of wall is that to the east of Zone J, forming a Phase 1 Cellular wall (c.1975). The northern section of wall to the east of Zones F1 and F2 date from the Phase 2 Cellular construction (c.1976) and the north and west wall of Zone F2, together with the west and south wall of Zone J and the wall dividing Zones J and F2, all date from the Phase 3 Cellular construction (c.1976/7). The towers associated with each wall are understood to be contemporary with the walls to which they relate. The main entrances to Zone F1 are attributable to c.1985/6 forming replacement entrances to a single, now blocked, entrance in the north perimeter wall of Zone F2. The airlocks, inertia and inter zone gates are attributable to the Phases of the prison to which they relate.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Representative sections of perimeter wall retaining sense of enclosure and security and a physical definition between the ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ of the prison. The entire length of the western perimeter wall (460m) together with a substantial section of the southern wall (469m) and the northern perimeter wall (172m). These form a considerable physical element (1.1km or 36%). The sections enclose all of zones F and J in the former prison providing a context for the main protected structures. Following statutory consultation it was decided to restrict statutory protection of perimeter walling to a minimum representative area- this is outlined in record HB 19/04/030 E.