Kingston Prison in Portsmouth WE RING THE TOWER BELL

Kingston Prison was originally built in 1877 as a Victorian radial design prison. Kingston has had a varied history. At one point the building was used for a boys' borstal, and then became a police station during World War II.
In 1965 capital punishment for murder was abolished in Britain and, as a result, Kingston began exclusively to hold inmates serving life sentences. Kingston became the only prison in England and Wales to have a unit exclusively for elderly male prisoners serving life sentences. In April 2003 a report from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons stated that the elderly prisoner unit at Kingston provided unacceptable conditions for its inmates. The report detailed that movement in the unit was severely restricted, there was insufficient privacy and the rooms had too little natural light, poor ventilation and in some cases no power points.[1]
Soon afterwards Kingston was redesignated as a more general category B and C prison, the elderly prisoner unit moving to HMP Norwich. From April 2012 Kingston became mainly a Category C prison, holding a high percentage of inmates serving life sentences.
On 10 January 2013 it was announced that Kingston Prison would close "in the next few months", as part of a wider prisons closure programme established by the Ministry of Justice.The prison formally closed on 28 March 2013.The former prison site was put up for sale, though there was a campaign to retain the site for use by the local community.[4] On 24 December 2014 it was announced that Kingston Prison along with Dorchester Prison, Gloucester Prison and Shepton Mallet Prison had been sold to City and Country. There will be a community consultation on the development of all the sites, with plans including mixed-used schemes of assisted living units alongside retail and social amenity areas.
As of today, the complex is being used to host airsoft games.
Notable former inmates
Archibald Hall
Anthony Sawoniuk
The M25 Three
Leslie Grantham
My Instagram: / mattswilli
Facebook: / 1228424283971624
email me at [e-mail] or [e-mail]
Also present on this explore were
VACANT HAVEN - • EASTNEY BATTERY | Vict...
Exploring Within - / exploringwithin
Hidden History With Ray - / beale7125
Music:
P_C_II On_Axis
Prime by DJ Williams

[@djpaul146]

I've heard if breaking out of a prison but breaking in lol. 🤣😂great video guys keep safe😷

[@OxfordsFinestExplorer]

That’s what you call exploring ,great video pal 👍❤️

[@alexanderheard3157]

Before they started the building work they opened the prison up to for people to take alook at, it was pretty cool.

[@phillipross3530]

i worked at kingston, 122 milton road for a number of years.wow the place has changed,thanks for the revisit.the looked door was the entrance to the block, segregation

[@belindamoles9192]

If those walls could speak bet they would be able to tell some very interesting stories. Can't believe when you ring the bell so many times and nobody bothered to come and find you, were probably scared lol because I bet there is some very scarey goings on sometimes in there x

[@MonsLittleExplores]

What a great explore! You never fail to impress Mr William's 👍

[@BlytheWorld1972]

you knock new videos out nearly every day love it

[@kennethbarker852]

1st class video to watch thank you take care kind regards from me kenneth🌍🌎🌏🌐👍

[@VacantHaven]

Awesome explore was a pleasure to be part of it!

[@VacantHaven]

@WTW 142 as much as you think its ok to call people tossers.

[@VacantHaven]

@WTW 142 get off your high horse mate

[@wannabuyabridge]

I never thought I'd see inside Kingston Prison without murdering anyone. Been past it countless times and often wondered what was in there. Many thanks!

[@outandaboutwithsam1031]

Amazing work Matt that old prison is so cool thanks for sharing with use 👌👊

[@daniellablakemore1389]

Yuno what I love about this channel is the detail I love how long the vids are and you get every single shot in, you never miss a detail

[@nathanjones6501]

Matt was amazing to see inside that old prison and it was absolutely brilliant you got into the clock tower to winded the clock up and to see it work after so long what was also good was seeing those heavy oak wooden beams in the roof and the drone footage at the beginning and end was fantastic to see 👍

[@sharkbite5744]

You wanna see just go on a Sunday and ask its a airsoft site.

[@AdventuresWithJay]

Wow I wasn’t expecting that what a peach of a place to explore.

[@whuds1159]

The Secret Vault , This is one off the reasons i love your channel and subbed, Ringing that bell, after determination of finding the thing i would off Rang the bastard thing myself ! Love it What a chime and a surprise to anybody who heard it the bell made Itj

[@nickpetts8364]

Cracking video Matt. What a place, well enjoyed👍

[@louloubell7288]

This was a fantastic vid, thanks Matt. Also really appreciated the guys you were with, exploring quietly like you do. It's always ruined when the others are loud and constant idle chatter ❤️

[@g00clh]

Awesome explore as usual ... Love your work Matty

[@AFA-Sneaky]

Kingston prison, this place isn't abandoned, and is fully optional why didn't you just get owners permission

[@TheSecretVault]

Why risk being told no when we can just walk in from the street. If they say no theres a prolonged boring begging period and we would never be allowed in some places. Easier and quicker to just go. I agree with you permission is 100% optional ;-))) lol

[@johnway8913]

They’ve got 6 sites altogether prisons old police training grounds a ww2 bunker your arrogance has cost you a chance to explore some very cool locations Hopefully you haven’t damaged anything getting inside

[@TheSecretVault]

@@johnway8913 We will just have to get into all of those other places without asking as well then lol.

[@johnway8913]

@@TheSecretVault crack on mate lol

[@davidbeeson1178]

This was a great way to spend a Sunday evening relaxing. Excellent job as always brother.

[@ExploringWithin]

Such a cool place!

[@Tom-rh3lh]

My mums working on the building work

[@MetroTitanD78]

I love how your camera at the beginning has captured all the stars glistening

[@rossmadden3857]

Hi Matt again another loyal viewer of your I'm sure you'll get lots of people ask you this but I would love to come around the prisons and explore with you maybe give you some information and some insight. I spent 6 years of my life in prison some that you've already explored. A lot of my childhood crime caught up with me in my teens my last sentence was in 2014. I'm now single dad two children 6 and 4 and have been for the last 4 years. living proof you can turn your life around and like I said I've got lots of knowledge when it comes to prisons and their workings of a would love to come on and explore. Love the films and the channel majorly !

[@beedevonlife]

Fantastic explore, thank you for the insight, brilliant work 😁

[@jeffreycollins7297]

@1:37:12 Listen for the low end rumbles, it happens twice. Turn up your volume.

[@andrewcolemans]

amazing architecture - seeing the clock mechanics and bell was cool

[@fatblokes_ferguson]

Great bit of late night viewing

[@kurtovesen2975]

you always have very good drone footage. really like that. great video.

[@lexi9608]

What a wonderful job. You never disappoint me. I also enjoyed watching the cars travel backwards while watching the ending drone footage lol. Stay safe, hope the foot heals quickly!

[@TheSecretVault]

Nearly healed up completely.

[@jamespowell3056]

I heard of breaking out of jail - but in this case you breaking into a jail lol

[@Dinkum_Aussie]

The blue centres in the ironwork with a Sun 🌞 and moon 🌙 100% looks like Freemasonry. I am guessing who ever designed this prison was one, as they love to hide symbolism in plain sight. Thank you for another amazing explore clock master Matt! 😎👍

[@VacantHaven]

Its the badge for portsmouth, if you google Portsmouth Council or Portsmouth fc, you'll see it

[@Dinkum_Aussie]

@@VacantHaven ahh ok, thanks for the info. I wondered why it was in the centre of every iron railing, I was way off! LOL Loved watching the explore, cheers mate. 😎👍

[@VacantHaven]

@@Dinkum_Aussie no worries mate! Although trace back the symbolism far enough and it may have Masonic ties? Glad you enjoyed, it was an amazing place ✌

[@TheSecretVault]

@@VacantHaven any idea why they chose sun and moon as portsmouth emblem?

[@VacantHaven]

@@TheSecretVault its to do with connections with Richard I. He had a strong connection with Portsmouth and he had a logo with a star with six wavy lines (known as an estoile) above a crescent moon. Portsmouth s navy and royal connection goes back about 700 years or so. And only the council can allow this logo to be used for the right purposes

[@Stylingsid]

Nice one Matt 👍🏼😎

[@peterstacey3720]

The so called rooms were 2 man cells the wings had up to 3 00 men in. Plus the small window covers on the fell doors are so the guards are able to look at you up too 20 times per day. Other prisons had up to 4 layers of upper fells plus a downstairs. For under 18s.

[@belindamoles9192]

Cool explore x

[@jackdaw6873]

Really enjoyed it well done Lads.

[@richardarthur4024]

I have surveyed the whole site pre demolition and access all areas. Got loads of photos of stuff not there now and the tower/clock

[@carolinelee3537]

Interesting - point of interest. The welsh gentleman made an observation of "the landings even have the PLYMOUTH logo on them"....PLYMOUTH !!!! Not a mistake to make.

[@tonyhumber111]

The prison looks so exciting . It must be so interesting in what it is like as a prisoner and a prison officer. The people who worked there are amazing and need being praised. Only very special people could spend many years working there .Could you imagine anyone working there for 25 years.

[@exploringwithghost8744]

nice one matthew in joy wach thank you

[@MelJ44]

Thanks for that brilliant footage Matt places no one ever gets to see was interesting 👍 😀 As always Secret Vault simply the best Thanks Matt xxxx

[@sharkbite5744]

Not really a secret as its an airsoft site.

[@TheSecretVault]

@@sharkbite5744 Your not really a shark bite either but I dont get pedantic over it.

[@sharkbite5744]

@@TheSecretVault lol why didn’t you just go at the weekend like everyone else, could of had a look around while shooting ur mates and have a good day out, instead you make out like ur a bunch of SAS ops infiltrating some hostel target, deciding not to show how you got in for drama when the truth of the matter there’s a 50 foot hole in the wall with enough open doors and holes in the wall you could walk an airsoft team through. It’s a bit sad kinda thing maybe kids would do. For anyone who knows this place you just look like clowns 🤡

[@vickidianacoghlan8946]

You've been a naughty boy SV. In ya go in the prison cell. Ha Ha!!!

[@farralad734]

Ha ha brilliant as usual matty lad ya keep us durham lads entertained....ding dong... ✔ 👍

[@richardwarnock2789]

Nice under fence crawling Good save on the phone you had long Day get good shut eyes you and Angel!!!; )

[@ecostacey]

I live 10 minutes from this place and always wanted to see inside it.

[@tylergoble9017]

My dad used to work there!! He was a painter he painted all the walls and cells

[@brendandoyle8304]

Love the videos matt alway making me laugh 😂

[@adamwheeldon]

good Explore 👍🏻

[@steviebaby2857]

Matt cmon lads let break into a prison lol loving it sv

[@englishexplorer5985]

Bird means prison time do your bird.

[@TheSecretVault]

Ah big bird = long stay then i guess....

[@englishexplorer5985]

@@TheSecretVault yes mat long stay

[@lmostayoutuber]

Played there great site for airsoft,looks like the safe zone, those tables probably for the airsofters to put their bags of kit on,and the chairs obviously to plonk down on between games

[@chrisgray7257]

The basement was punishment cells, you missed it.

[@paulharvey9149]

The corridor of damp cells you discover at 1.44 may have been the punishment block, as only the central part of the first cell window is actually see-through. Having visited someone there just once, many years ago, for the life of me I can't remember how you got from the gatehouse to the wing [the elderly inmate I was visiting was sufficiently trusted and privileged to invite me there]; I've a feeling that as a visitor I was accompanied through the yard; whereas prisoners would have entered through an underground passage. I do remember that the wing had a surprisingly homely feel at that time. Your rooftop adventures had me on the edge of my seat incidentally - very good filming.

[@TheSecretVault]

Underground tunnel. I wonder if it was blocked up. We didnt see anything.

[@paulharvey9149]

@@TheSecretVault Well, l don't know what's been demolished, but there must have been some kind of reception department for prisoners, where they'd be strip searched, showered, medically assessed, etc. That may have been in some of those basement rooms; which means the vans must have driven through the gate house to a side entrance somewhere. Prisoners would be taken downstairs, processed and then entered the halls from below - if that was the case. It wasn't an especially high security prison, so they may simply have been walked around once inside the walls. There must also have been a hospital wing and kitchens, etc. Probably workshops too and maybe a dining hall too - though that could also have taken place within the halls themselves. Some prisons also had recreation rooms and even swimming pools - I'm not sure what was there!

[@Shane-mj9fz]

Holy shit, you lads are still in there??

[@ExploringWithin]

We managed to get out 😉

[@annettelacey7913]

Great video hi from Australia

[@HIDDENHISTORYWITHRAY]

Great video matt as always

[@87391492]

This prison was for prisoners doing life and preparing to be released. I believe it was a semi open prison for category 'c' and 'd'. When I was doing a prison sentence we stopped there to have lunch and to also drop off a life rand after lunch we'd proceed on our way to the Isle of Wight to Camp hill where I was going to do my 2 and a half years. According to a few cons I knew this was a great prison to do your bird ( sentence).

[@markperkins2738]

Hi matt another great video I belive them wooden frames with the red boxes on and the small white thing. Are actually wireless fire alarm system u activate 1 and rest sound automatically

[@Dj-Jon-E-C]

good explore I bet folk wondered why the bell was going

[@gregg3356]

Very cool. Are they refurbishing it for use? Or turning it into something other than a prison? Sorry if you answered this somewhere during the video. I didn't catch the beginning

[@MsWinnieWitch]

Apartments i think Greg

[@TheSecretVault]

Flats and apartments I think.

[@chrismcwilliams3552]

So glad that it is not going to waste like so many others!

[@johnway8913]

At the moment it’s used as an Airsoft site

[@exploringmetaldetecting5989]

good in joy watch take care

[@eightohmmedia]

What camera / gimbal setup did you use for this.? I am a newbie follower and loving your vids so far

[@TheSecretVault]

Sony a7s and zhiyun crane2

[@eightohmmedia]

​@@TheSecretVault Cool, I've got the Crane M2 and a Sony A5100. Would love an A7S though. Not yet managed to get out and use my kit yet. Keep up the great vids I really enjoy them.!

[@markhawkins7908]

Great exploration as always from yourselve I'm wondering if those moment censors are switched on for the air soft games rather than for security

[@TheSecretVault]

Interesting point.

[@carlyonbay45]

2:09 youve put Kingsdown prison on the film text , not kingston

[@alan1966ist]

The top room where you got out on the roof was the old church roof the prison had a church in it the rooms below it was added to get more prisoners in the prison for less dangerous inmates so thay removed the church i understand the beems r listed and can't b touched and yes thay r converting the prison in to apartments .

[@Urbanlad-Yorkshire]

wow wow another banger awesome video well done buddy

[@barbaradance3130]

Great vlog

[@benbaker2965]

Matt, the explore was 💯++++. I love to see old buildings repurposed. This building should be around for centuries. But I am wondering if executions ever took place here. And if so the period and method, and where did they take place. I know it would make me feel very uncomfortable to have a flat in it.

[@chubbyroyston3880]

Thats some camera even picking up stars which according to apollo astronauts don't exist

[@doncarlo6556]

Wow wish i could have got in on that looks awesome and local.

[@sharkbite5744]

Just go on a Sunday its a airsoft site

[@harmonie666]

Always wondered what that building look like inside

[@49cchris]

if you could unscrew all the brass of the doors would have nice bit weight!! money sat there!

[@ianwimbles1440]

Trust me that will have been first thing the contractors had off lad!

[@themightyimp08]

I was wondering where the prison was in Kingston.. turns out the title is slightly wrong.. great to see you still out and about.. :) From 2:15 (steadycam footage) you have a 2 stuck pixels/pixels out.. I'm guessing on the CCD or camera image sensor? Unless it's a bug in the editing software. Edit.. NVM, it's gone by 13:40... Must have been night mode only..

[@Pwills]

Kingston prison in Portsmouth

[@themightyimp08]

@@Crimetvuk @2:09 the title is kingsdown.. that's what I was referencing

[@themightyimp08]

@@Pwills @2:09 the title is kingsdown.. that's what I was referencing

[@Pwills]

@@themightyimp08 in your comment you asked “I was wondering where the prison was in Kingston” that was what I was replying to

[@themightyimp08]

@@Pwills indeed. Have a great day

[@ianwimbles1440]

The comment he made on the wing when he says I thought they’d have netting or something to stop people getting thrown over the answer to that question is on the ones which is the level you’re on it’s at the prison if they deem it necessary that is on the ones on the two’s,threes yes there’s netting and it’s not a comfortable fall cos the nets are intertwined metal about a quarter inch thick so no nice comfy stop some lads who have been dropped say they got more damage hitting the nets?

[@MrEddieG420]

The yellow room, Could have been a water storage tank using gravity for pressure looks like some pipes coming through the window above where the 3 I beams would have been.

[@greatestjourney6412]

Secret Vault!

[@pault6752]

Matt, you're putting your buddies (EWF & Co) to shame with this content, and the sea forts! Excellent and interesting viewing. Glad Mr Proving Demons wasn't on board - a sure way to cheapen the good work you're doing. Keep it up mate 👍

[@gail727]

Brilliant as always. Coukd you please name some of the music you use fir the drone footage. I've been mesmerised by the footage at drakes Island using pc choir. I'm sure fans would love to know. I love your choice of music. Except for the wobbly music! 🤣

[@TheSecretVault]

P_C_II On_Axis Prime by DJ Williams

[@gail727]

@@TheSecretVault thank you. Just love your choice in music. Stay safe xx

[@leedavies9309]

great video matt

[@bazmully]

Did you check the local paper to see if the residents around the prison heard the bell chime.sorry matt but ally laws laugh goes right through me,he's good at climbing.

[@greatestjourney6412]

48:14 And Rolf Harris!

[@richardwarnock2789]

Hey Matt that's not the prison Harrison Ford used in his movie not Patriot Games!? Might have the wrong movie !?

[@TheSecretVault]

I dont know.

[@49cchris]

how does the bloke know so much about the bell... he seems experienced... n is the bell made out of brass??

[@thesimulatorguy4248]

Is it a listed building

[@TheSecretVault]

I think so.

[@bakertam]

1:45 i just saw jimmy, rolph and garry in big bubbas pad

[@johnpearce1985]

kinston was a lifer prison and all single celled

[@jeff420sparky8]

in 🇨🇦ring it for inmates work

[@tedvicarri6153]

I can tell it wasn’t that long ago, Saturn and Jupiter are getting closer, before the conjunction on the 21st....👍

[@TheGardener54uk]

Mathew your on the F@kin moon lol lol that is one bright light , should be good for olight , bloody exspensive lol

[@peterstacey3720]

Those stripes are heart beats to help cheer visitors up. Does not work.

[@twoseventhree]

Kingston, or Kingsdown?

[@Pwills]

Kingston prison in Portsmouth

[@TheSecretVault]

Kingston

[@unclassified63]

37: 26 Plymouth logo? Its portsmouth Mike, Sorry I meant Matt lol.

[@DJDAVEDREAM]

Interestingly Gloucester prison was used for airsoft in 2019

[@tyrionlannister2876]

Wooo! Lol

[@jonathanguinan8248]

Mat In your description you mention about some of the notable prisoners kept in that prison If you don't mind explaining what exactly was the M25 three? Just seems strange name for a prisoner lol. I tried searching on Google and couldn't find anything

[@AFA-Sneaky]

Just Google m25 three and it comes straight up

[@jonathanguinan8248]

@@AFA-Sneaky I already did try that at first but nothing came up I've just tried again and this time it came up straight away, Nice 1 mate

[@phillipross3530]

if you guys want inside info about how the place really was message me

[@user-ip9ev1ct5c]

Hi Phillip, just a question I would like to know if you had an encounter with an inmate named Patrick Mackay?

[@peterbuckley265]

THIS PRISON CLOSED 28 MARCH 2013, SEE WIKOPEDIA.

[@UnderTheRadar1976]

Can some upload the cctv lol

[@jeff420sparky8]

i been in the🇨🇦one as a prisoner

[@dcmexplores]

Spelling edit ... kingsdown? Welcome to my home town.

[@Pwills]

Kingston prison in Portsmouth

[@TheSecretVault]

Oi you should know this as Kingston.... I googled it. Doh.

[@g7puw]

what is the 'ee bombay' about ?

[@TheSecretVault]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/baW1ipZsncekpMU