Final chance to experience life behind bars at Blundeston Prison near Lowestoft ahead of demolition

Outside of Blundeston Prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

It is the place where notorious criminals spent their time behind bars. For 50 years Blundeston Prison, near Lowestoft, was home to more than 500 inmates.

A sneak preview of Blundeston Prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Among the criminals at the category C men's jail were East End gangster Reggie Kray – one half of the Kray twins, who was an inmate at HMP Blundeston in the 1990s and the so-called 'Lotto Lout' Michael Carroll, who was jailed in 2006 for nine months for affray and breaking a drug testing order.

Exterior shot of Blundeston Prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Richard Reid, who became known as the 'Shoe Bomber' after trying to blow up and kill 197 people on board a transatlantic jet in December 2001, is believed to have served time in HMP Blundeston for criminal offences when he was younger. But after the Ministry of Justice decided to close the site – with the loss of 230 jobs – in 2013, it was sold to Lowestoft-based Badger Building for £3m.

Through the window at Blundeston Prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Over the past few months the developer has allowed Stradbroke Masonic Lodge to organise a series of guided tours and raise money for their charitable work. Thousands of inquisitive people have already been shown what life was really like inside, with former prison officers acting as guides on tours of the prison site and the cell blocks. For most of the visitors, the most popular cell has been 116 – where Reggie Kray was imprisoned.

A little look at Blundeston Prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Ahead of the demolition, photographer NICK BUTCHER was granted special access as the prison prepared to open its gates for a final time.

Alarm displays in Blundeston Prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Looking out of Blundeston Prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Inside one of the spaces at Blundeston Prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Brian Everitt looking around the former prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

One of the cells at Blundeston Prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Last look inside the hallways of Blundeston Prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Courtyard of former prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Peaking into one of the cells at the former prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Inside view of one of the cells at Blundeston Prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Drug dispensing room inside the former prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

The Laundry room at the former prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Road into Blundeston Prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

General View of Blundeston Prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Photographer gets last shots of former prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Interior shot of the former prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Looking into one of the rooms at Blundeston Prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Taking a last look inside Blundeston Prison. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

Developer Badger Building has been given permission to build up to 140 houses on Blundeston Prison, which is located near Lowestoft. PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)