Living near a prison

[Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain]

So my boyfriend is working in construction near a prison (Pentonville). We’ve been out a few times near there and walked past houses that were opposite the side wall of the prison. The area seems a bit student residences and maybe council flats opposite.

Anyway, would you live near a prison or not? If not why not? Would it be cheaper to live here?

the only other prisons I’ve seen are Wandsworth (a bit bleak area), and Brixton, ok part of Brixton not the nicest part.

For reasons we needn't go into I had to meet a friend in a cafe in Brixton in the late 80s. It was quite early, and I briefly thought it was a hangout for musicians as the word "record" seemed to pop up a lot ....

I live just round the corner from one. No issues. Occasional absconders but they never hang around.

Wandsworth is hella expensive! Even round the back of the prison! Ex council going for £750 +!

No they don't

Lewes is incredibly pricey!!!

I remember hearing that siren when my parents lived in the area. Terrifying as they were near the woods where I always imagined prisoners would head.
Apparently they were decommissioned and last used in 1993.

They are released from prison and sometimes left to make their own way….

Yes and some of the visitors.

It’s not really a selling point is it when you come to sell? The fact that you’re asking the question.

There are some prisons in the countryside of course.

Escapees wouldn’t worry me, they’re trying to get away.

How rude! Brixton Hill is pretty nice… I used to live there and barely noticed the prison, other than to go to the restaurant in it. Didn’t affect my house price when I sold either…

I was just curious. Near the prison there’s an industrial estate and some houses, then it borders Islington so gets naicer. I’m not saying it would make it hard to sell a property but as I live in a very quiet naice area I’m biased. Boyfriend is similar area.

Brixton hill is pretty nice but the houses round there to my mind aren’t as nice as some of the other Brixton houses. I could well be snobby about this though.

I live near an open prison - about 2 miles away. You regularly see the prisoners out and about doing community service and other jobs - it's never bothered me and they've always been perfectly civil when you see them. I've never felt unsafe.

An industrial estate doesn’t sound very nice either. You’re not selling it to me OP

Maybe go back to the drawing board with your search.

No, these days everyone in the area would get an alert on their phone if anyone were to escape (technically Broadmoor is actually an NHS hospital). My uncle and aunt lived in nearby Crowthorne, and I remember staying their once when the test alarm went off. It was tested weekly at 10.00 on a Monday morning, I think. It was very loud!

Problem with some prisons is the visitors. Many are criminals themselves. Also the drones and their pilots. Not all prisons are like this though.

Also, when people get released they hang around and harass the locals - booze, drugs, sex, money

But I guess market forces will prevail and you probably get a better house for your money.

I lived very very close to Brixton prison for a long time, some years back, and never had any problem at all.

Many years ago my friend used to live on an estate backing onto an open prison and we used to walk through the prison to get to the main village road to the pub as it was the quickest route. Bizarre really when you think about it.

I’m not looking to buy!

Actually through the prison? How could you do that?

I used to live opposite Wandsworth Prison. It's not bleak at all! Right next to Wandsworth Common and the popular (at the time, might have changed) 'toast rack' streets where houses were £££. Not far from Wandsworth Town with lovely cafes and restaurants. I loved our little flat and really miss it! I never really gave the prison much thought!

I work with someone who used to work in the prison system. She said escapes rarely happen from within the prison, they usually happen on transfers so living nearby is quite safe.

Wandsworth Town is quite nice. My bus to college used to go by the common years ago to Wandsworth Town.

Or let out accidentally. They go aim to get as far away as quickly as possible.

Haha every Monday or something 10am? I remember hearing it the first time 😂

😂

I live a few miles from cornton vale womans prison (scotland) and read that when they built the new prison the neighbours in the surrounding houses were not happy, said they were hearing screaming and shouting at night. Not sure how things are now in the area mind you.