Few British prisons are more iconic or imposing than the infamous Wormwood Scrubs. Still in service as part of Her Majesty’s Prison Service, Wormwood Scrubs or ‘The Scrubs’ as it is commonly known has a unique history dating back to the 12th Century.
The site, now home to the prison, was first called Wormeholte (Holt meaning woodland or forest and worm meaning snake) then Wormholtwode before eventually becoming Wormewood. The name, much like that of Borstal, was derived from Olde English and probably referred to a thicket of woodland infested by snakes [1]. The wasteland, exposed by the felling of trees at this site, revealed the poor quality of the soil; it could not be used for arable farming and became little more than grazing land. The word ‘scrubs’, meaning an area of stunted trees and brushwood, was added later to indicate the poor quality of the land [1].
The construction of Wormwood Scrubs Prison began in December 1874 and, like many of its contemporaries, was built with convict labour. The prison was originally a simple construction of corrugated iron with a temporary barn attached to serve as housing for warders. Nine prisoners, all within a year or two of release, completed these initial buildings after which an additional 50 prisoners were recruited to erect the second temporary wing. Bricks manufactured on-site were then used to construct the permanent prison [2]. Although work on the prison continued for the next 16 years, by the early 1880s enough of the site had been completed to allow certain classes of inmates to relocate there. Labourers required for the public works programs not assigned to the construction of the prison and those who were in segregation while completing their probation, were residents at Wormwood from the early 1880s [3]. Construction concluded on the 1st October 1890 under the supervision of penal reformer Edmund du Cane, who later gave his name to the street where Wormwood is located. Shortly after completion, the convict establishment was broken up and The Scrubs was converted into a local prison taking over from Millbank Penitentiary in Pimlico London. Millbank operated from 1816-1890 and was used to those serving penal sentences as well as those sentenced to be deportated to Australia under the ‘transportation’ punishment [4].
As with many prisons of its generation, Wormwood was considered a triumph in design and reform. Designed by Major du Cane who was an experienced military engineer, it featured parallel blocks laid out in what is now referred to as a ‘telegraph pole’ plan [4]. This layout ensured that every cell received sunlight which was recognised as improving the overall mood and happiness of the prisoners. The space also included workshops for meaningful activity, an on-site hospital, and areas for both spiritual and recreational use. The chapel was one of several buildings at Wormwood Scrubs Prison awarded ‘Grade II’ listed status in recognition of its architectural significance [5].
Wormwood Scrubs prison was also of great importance during World War 2 when part of the prison was evacuated so that MI5, the world-famous British intelligence agency, could establish its headquarters there in the first year of the war. Insufficient office space in London to accommodate the growing MI5 staff roster led to this unconventional choice of location. The prison was bombed during the London Blitz of 1940 and much of the staff were then relocated to either Woodstock near Oxford or Blenheim Palace, to carry on their work towards the war effort. It is uncertain as to whether the prison itself was a target for the bombing or the barracks situated nearby [6].
In recent times, Wormwood Scrubs has been at the centre of controversy and violence. In 1979 IRA protestors orchestrated a rooftop riot over visitation rights, overcrowding and poor living standards: this resulted in over 50 prisoners and several officers being injured. An inquiry held in 1982 blamed the incident on failings in the prison management. Later, in 1990, an investigation was held into alleged violence and physical abuse against inmates by staff. 27 officers were suspended and 6 of these were convicted of assault , although 3 of these 6 did win appeals against their convictions [8]. The Prison Service is reported to have handed out over 3 million pounds in out of court settlements to former prisoners who had alleged abuse against members of the prison staff. Amnesty International was so concerned with the allegations that it wrote a letter demanding a public judicial inquiry into the alleged systematic abuse at Wormwood Scrubs. The report, carried out by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, condemned the establishment stating that if it did not improve immediately, it would be closed [8]. In the march of 2004, a follow up report stated a significant improvement due to ‘fundamental changes’ with a marked improvement in staff/prisoner relationships. However, a third report 4 years later showed deterioration; concerns were raised about the level of gang activity and a fifth of the prison population failed their mandatory drugs test. Multiple reports since have shown little in the way of improvement with the prison being described as ‘filthy’. The Prison and Probation Ombudsman also noted a failure to combat the growing numbers of prisoners self-harming and committing suicide [9]. There were 5 deaths in the prison during 2013 alone. In 2018 a prisoner was stabbed to death; 3 inmates were charged and convicted of his murder.
The decline in quality and safety has been accredited to the major structural changes made to The Scrubs in 2013, which saw many experienced members of staff leave [9]. However, as with all prisons, the issue of funding means that many prisons are unable to carry out the work required to maintain healthy and safe environments for staff and prisoners. Overcrowding meant that cells at Wormwood designed to hold one prisoner now held two; increasing risk of violence and confrontation. It was also reported that there were damaged windows, extensive graffiti and the toileting areas were unclean and unsafe [9].
Wormwood Scrubs Cell Block [4]
During its chequered existence, Wormwood Scrubs has been home to some of the most infamous inmates in the British justice system including: Ian Brady, partner of Myra Hindley, found guilty of the Moors Murders; Charles Bronson, aka Charles Arthur Salvador, who spent time in The Scrubs and has been referred to by the press as ‘Britain’s most violent criminal’ (played by Tom Hardy in his popular biopic); Dennis Nilsen, Scottish serial killer and necrophile (recently portrayed by David Tennent in the ITV mini-series); Peter Sutcliffe, dubbed the ‘Yorkshire Ripper’ by the press, Paul Blackburn, given a life sentence at the age of 15 for an attempted murder, he was later found to have been wrongly convicted after serving almost 25 years and George Blake, MI6 agent who, with the help of 3 other men, managed to escape Wormwood Scrubs [10].
Several other notable guests have also spent time in The Scrubs including Lesley Grantham, former EastEnders star; Pete Doherty, on off partner to supermodel Kate Moss and frontman of the Libertines and Babyshambles; Mark Morris of ‘Return of the Mack’ fame and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones [11].
Wormwood Scrubs’ iconic image has also been recognised by the film and television industry and has made appearances in: The Italian Job, The Sweeny, The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Minder and Steptoe and Son to name a few.
Wormwood Scrubs is now a Category B prison for adult males either sentenced or on remand awaiting trial. There are 5 main wings and several other smaller dedicated units. All cells are equipped with electricity, TVs, basic furniture and sinks for sanitation.
A wing – remand and sentenced prisoners
B wing – induction wing for new arrivals
C wing – prisoners on detox and drug treatment programs
D wing – high risk prisoners including those with reports of violent conduct and those on suicide watch
E wing – prisoners attending education classes
Super enhanced wing – for prisoners who have earned additional privileges (trustees)
Conibree Unit – prisoners who require substance misuse stabilisation regimes
First night centre – for prisoners on their first night in custody before being assigned a hall and cell
[1] History of Borstal – Kent Past[2] Behind the gate – insidetime & insideinformation
[3] Borstal Prison – 19th Century Prison History
[4] Victorian Prison Conditions | Prisons and Transportation | Old Police Cells Museum
[5] Alexander Paterson, youth work and prison reform – infed.org:
[6] Borstal system | penology | Britannica
[7] Scum (1979) – IMDb
[8] Deviance, disorder and the self : Criminality (bbk.ac.uk)
Photos
[1] Borstal Institution, Rochester, Kent (childrenshomes.org.uk)
[2] Herbert Gladstone (spartacus-educational.com)
[3] HM Prison Rochester – Wikipedia
By Thomas Briggs