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UK: Prison ship sails in

01 March 1997

Dickensian England went on show with the arrival, at Portland Harbour, Dorset, of a US prison ship intended to alleviate chronic overcrowding in the UK's prisons. The floating anachronism, which will be known as HM prison Weare, arrived in March and will begin taking the first of nearly 500 prisoners in May, although delays are predicted. The ship has been almost universally condemned by local residents, businesses, the Tourist Board and campaigners. It has been staunchly defended by Prisons Minister, Ann Widdecombe, and also won the backing of the Labour Party shadow Home Secretary, Jack Straw, both of whom presumably see it as a sound return to Thatcherite "Victorian values".

In New York, American authorities expressed their delight as they have been trying to get rid of the "rotting hulk" for twelve years, but had been unable to find anyone gullible enough to buy it. Since its arrival concern has been expressed about its safety, particularly concerning fire risks and emergency access. It is also believed that the lower decks are so dark and claustrophobic that they will not be used to house inmates. Although prison ships have not been used since the nineteenth century, unconvicted Republican detainees were held on the HMS Maidstone in Belfast Harbour during the 1970s and in 1987 immigration detainees were held on board the Earl William off Harwich, Essex. It is perhaps worth noting that eight of the Republican detainees on HMS Maidstone made a legendary escape and the Earl William went adrift during a hurricane.