H.M.P. Bullwood Hall was a former women’s prison in Hockley, built in the 1960’s initially as a women’s borstal. The site was opened to house minors, although went on to hold female prisoners of any age. In 2002, six-part series ‘The Real Bad Girls’ aired on ITV. The series was filmed at Bullwood Hall and showed what life was like for the inmates, showing the prison in a positive light. Contrary to this, a prison report in 2005 heavily criticised the hygiene, staffing numbers and the “disturbingly high” numbers of suicide attempts which occurred every month. The following year is was announced that the prison would change to a Category C male prison. It also later became an immigration detention centre and could hold up to around 250 prisoners.
In 2013 it was announced that it would be one of 7 “old and uneconomic” prisons to close as part of cost-cutting plans. Less than 3 months later, the prison had shut for good. Whilst derelict and awaiting demolition, we were given access to film and photograph the site for one last time. The adjacent Bullwood Hall House was the governors residence and is locally listed meaning that it won’t be demolished, despite it being in a poor condition internally. Since visiting in 2016, the entire prison has since been demolished.
Bullwood House
- Demolished
- Exclusive Access
- Military
- Miscellaneous
- Post-War & Cold War
- Wickford Rayleigh Hockley Woodham & Fambridge
I was at Bullwood Hall in 2002-2003 serving a 12 year sentence. I barely recognise it from the photographs.
We had so many good times here, sports days, I remember us making pom poms and dressing up in cute outfits to be cheerleaders for our teams.
Us girls had parties, festivals, we were always doing something fun to entertain ourselves; once they brought us all KFC for winning a competition for the best themed decorated wing! Our theme was ‘The Jungle Book’
Outside agencies used to come in and work with the girls and women to do performances and events. There was a lot of talented girls and women behind those walls.
We performed The Wizard of Oz full length play for the whole prison with hired costumes, lighting and smoke machines in the gym. I was Dorothy.
They even filmed the performance so we could send the videos to our children and families.
I mostly worked in David Foyles Garment Workshop doing piece work making the chequered boxer shorts for the men’s prisons. On a Friday we used to be able to design and make our own clothing and we completed City and Guilds Qualifications in dressmaking.
There was no toilets in cells in the main prison only the lifers unit had toilets. We had plastic potties and used to have to pee in them at night. Some girls used to shit in their teapack bags and throw it out of the window. That was called a ‘shit parcel’ Garden workers got paid 50p bonus per shit parcel they picked up.
I was serving the longest sentence out of anyone except for the lifers with 12 years.
I really sitting out in the sun by the swimming pool whilst girls swam and jumped in and out on a hot summer’s day.
I have so many stories I just wanted to post this comment. I only just found out today that the Prison had been demolished. It’s Wednesday 2nd July 2025.
I’m currently writing a memoir. I also served my sentence in HMP Holloway and HMP East Sutton Park
* it should read I REMEMBER sitting out in the sun by the swimming pool whilst girls swam and jumped in and out on a hot summer’s day.
excuse typos I’m on my phone.
Feel free to contact me x