HM Prison Frankland

Frankland opened in 1983 with four wings, each holding 108 in single cells. A further two wings opened in 1998 to an open gallery design to hold an additional 206. A specialist Dangerous and Severe Personality Disorder (DSPD) unit opened at the prison in May 2004.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/3691725.stm |title=Unit for dangerous inmates opens |access-date=2007-07-22 |work=BBC News Online |date=6 May 2004}}

The prison has increased in size in recent years following major redevelopment including the construction of the new DSPD "Westgate Unit". In March 2008, the Ministry of Justice announced that Frankland would be expanded again, with planning permission being granted for an additional 120 places at the prison.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/7302189.stm |work=BBC News |title=Prison set for 120 more inmates |date=18 March 2008 |access-date=2010-05-02}}

In 2011, two convicted prisoners, Nathan Mann and Michael Parr, disemboweled fellow inmate Mitchell Harrison in order to eat his liver.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/jul/12/pair-killed-disembowelled-inmate |title=Pair who killed and disembowelled inmate given life sentences|author=Press Association |date=12 July 2012 |newspaper=The Guardian}}

In 2025, a The Times investigation revealed that prisoners who refused to convert to Islam and join Islamic gangs operating in Frankland were placed into isolation units for their own safety. Measures designed to stop imprisoned Islamist terrorists from radicalising other inmates had become obsolete due to the sheer number involved in Islamic gangs.{{cite news |last1=Dathan |first1=Matt |title=Prisoners ‘held in isolation to keep them safe from Islamists’ |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/prisoners-isolation-islamist-gangs-jc2kvtkrn |work=The Times |date=3 April 2025 |language=en}} Attempts to exert authority by prison staff had been hampered due to fears of being labelled racist and cultural sensitivities.{{cite news |title=Islamist control of a high-security prison must be tackled |url=https://www.thetimes.com/comment/the-times-view/article/islamist-control-of-a-high-security-prison-must-be-tackled-00097fccp |work=The Times |date=3 April 2025 |language=en}} In 2024, Steve Gallant, a former inmate of Frankland who intervened to stop the London Bridge attack in 2019, also claimed that the balance of power in Frankland had been ceded to Islamist gangs with prison staff failing to sufficiently intervene due to fears of being called racist.{{cite news |last1=Acheson |first1=Ian |title=Islamist gangs are filling the void in our prisons |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/03/too-many-prisons-are-appeasing-islamist-gangs/ |work=The Telegraph |date=3 April 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Hymas |first1=Charles |title=Muslims have won power battle between prison gangs, says hero of London Bridge attack |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/02/muslims-won-battle-prison-gangs-says-london-bridge-hero/ |work=The Telegraph |date=2 April 2024}} A prison service spokesman denied the findings reported by The Times.

On 12 April 2025, inmate Hashem Abedi, brother of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi, attacked three prison officers using hot cooking oil and homemade weapons. The officers suffered burns, scalds and stab wounds and were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-12 |title=Hashem Abedi, Manchester Arena bomber's brother, attacks prison officers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz95kggw7nxo |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

Frankland is a Dispersal prison that holds male prisoners over 21 years of age, and whose sentence is usually four years or more,{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/hmp-franklands-brutal-regime-ndash-the-inside-story-1925392.html |title=HMP Frankland's brutal regime – the inside story|first=Mark|last=Hughes |date=23 March 2010 |work=The Independent |access-date=2017-04-03 |language=en-GB}} including life sentences and high-risk remand prisoners. The prison has been dubbed the "Monster Mansion" due to many of its inmates being murderers, high-risk sex offenders and those convicted of terrorism-related offences.{{cite web | url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/life-inside-hmp-frankland-durham-23646443.amp | title=Violence, terrorists and PlayStations: Life inside Britain's 'Monster Mansion'|first=Ian|last=Johnson|author2= Sophie Brownson |website=Chronicle Live| date=10 April 2022 }} Prison accommodation is divided between wings, with wings A to D holding 108 inmates each, wings F and G holding an additional 208, with J holding 120.{{Cite web |url=http://www.justice.gov.uk/contacts/prison-finder/frankland |title=Frankland Prison information |website=Ministry of Justice |language=en|access-date=2017-04-03}} All cells are single occupancy.

The Healthcare Centre at the prison consists of a four bedded ward and ten furnished rooms, a dental suite, X-ray and a Suicide Crisis Suite. A number of clinics are held, many conducted by visiting specialists. There are also telehealth services and wing-based treatment rooms. Primary care is contracted to the Spectrum Community Health.

Education at the prison is provided by The Manchester College,{{cite web |url=http://www.justice.gov.uk/contacts/prison-finder/frankland/regime |title=Regime information for Frankland Prison |website=Ministry of Justice |access-date=3 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329080358/http://www.justice.gov.uk/contacts/prison-finder/frankland/regime |archive-date=29 March 2016}} with a range of courses provided - from basic skills to higher education level. Frankland also runs workshops in furniture production, a charity workshop and a sight-and-sound workshop. The prison has a library and gym to support inmates' learning and recreation.

Frankland Prison has a visitors' centre. Facilities include a canteen and children's play area, all with disabled access.

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• Michael Adebolajo, one of two terrorists convicted of murdering British Army soldier Lee Rigby{{Cite news |url=http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2017-03-31/extremists-prisoners-to-be-separated-at-durham-jail/ |title=Extremists prisoners to be separated at Durham jail |work=ITV News|date=31 March 2017 |access-date=2017-04-03 |language=en}}
• Dhiren Barot, convicted terrorist
• Levi Bellfield, convicted serial killer who murdered at least three young women and teenage girls, including Milly Dowler{{Cite web |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/hmp-frankland-life-inside-prison-16881630 |title=Dirty protests and jihadi terrorists – inside 'Monster Mansion' HMP Frankland |website=Chronicle Live |date=7 September 2019}}
• Damien Bendall, convicted mass murderer and child rapist{{Cite news |date=13 May 2024 |title=Quadruple killer Damien Bendall allegedly attacks inmate with hammer at Frankland Prison |url=https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2024-05-13/quadruple-killer-allegedly-attacks-inmate-with-hammer-at-high-security-prison |access-date=14 May 2024}}
• David Bieber, American convicted murderer
• Peter Chapman, convicted kidnapper, rapist, and murderer of 17-year-old Ashleigh Hall
• David Copeland, convicted bomber and murderer who committed the 1999 London nail bombings
• Wayne Couzens, former police constable and convicted kidnapper, rapist, and murderer of 33-year-old Sarah Everard{{Cite news |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19787322.wayne-couzens-moved-hmp-frankland-durham/ |title=Wayne Couzens moved to HMP Frankland in Durham |first=Gavin |last=Havery |date=15 December 2021 |newspaper=The Northern Echo}}
• Mark Dixie, British serial rapist and convicted murderer of 18-year-old Sally Anne Bowman
• John Duffy, British serial rapist and killer
• David Fuller, English double-murderer and prolific necrophiliac
• Benjamin Geen, nurse convicted of killing two patients and causing grevious bodily harm to 15 others{{cite news |title=Ben Geen: Statisticians back former nurse's in last chance to clear name |url=https://www.thejusticegap.com/ben-geen-statisticians-back-former-nurses-in-last-chance-to-clear-name/ |access-date=10 July 2022 |work=The Justice Gap|first=Jon|last=Robins |date=10 April 2020}}
• Delroy Grant, serial rapist and burglar
• Ian Huntley, murdered two 10-year-old girls in August 2002
• Daniel Khalife, former British Armed Forces soldier convicted of spying for Iran and escaped HMP Wandsworth in September 2023{{Cite web |last=Cardy |first=Phil |last2=Bagdi |first2=Annabal |date=23 March 2025 |title=Spy Daniel Khalife 'given hero's welcome' after being moved to Monster Mansion |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/spy-daniel-khalife-given-heros-31262993 |access-date=25 March 2025 |website=Birmingham Live |language=en}}
• Thomas Mair, murdered Labour MP Jo Cox in June 2016{{Cite web |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/thomas_alexander_mair |title=Thomas Alexander Mair – a Freedom of Information request to Ministry of Justice |website=whatdotheyknow.com|first=John |last=Aspray |date=3 December 2018}}
• Stuart Morgan, raped and murdered French woman Céline Figard in 1995{{cite web |title=Morgan v Secretary of State for Justice |url=https://www.casemine.com/judgement/uk/5a8ff73760d03e7f57ea9bbd |website=Casemine |date=26 January 2016|access-date=10 July 2022}}
• Colin Norris, nurse who murdered four elderley patients and attempted to murder two others in 2002
• Hussain Osman, Islamic terrorist who placed an explosive at a tube station in London in 2005
• Muzzaker Shah, murdered police officer Sharon Beshenivsky during an armed robbery in 2005
• Urfan Sharif, convicted of murdering his 10-year-old daughter following a campaign of physical and psychological abuse{{Cite web |last=Fiorillo |first=Chiara |date=2025-01-28 |title=Sara Sharif's dad moved to 'Monster Mansion' and is 'terrified' to leave cell |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/sara-sharifs-evil-dad-moved-34569397 |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=The Mirror |language=en}}
• Michael Stone, convicted of murdering Lin and Megan Russell and attempting to murder Josie Russell in 1996
• Charles Taylor, sentenced by the Special Court for Sierra Leone and transferred to the UK.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/liberia/10412158/Ex-warlord-Charles-Taylors-family-say-he-is-being-ill-treated-in-British-jail.html |title=Ex-warlord Charles Taylor's family say he is being 'ill-treated' in British jail |date=29 October 2013 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |access-date=2014-04-11}}

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• Hashem Abedi, convicted on 22 counts of murder after aiding his brother, Salman Abedi, source explosives used in the Manchester Arena bombing.{{Cite web |first=Daniel |last=De Simone |first2=Sima |last2=Kotecha |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz95kggw7nxo |title=Hashem Abedi, Manchester Arena bomber, attacks prison officers |date=12 April 2025 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=12 April 2025}} Transferred to the prison in 2020, but moved to HMP Belmarsh in 2025 following an attack on three prison guards.{{Cite web |first=Daniel |last=De Simone |first2=Tom |last2=Symonds |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg5qe6j01g6o |title=Prison unit where Manchester Arena bomber Hashem Abedi attacked guards emptied |date=16 April 2025 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |accessdate=16 April 2025}}
• Kamel Bourgass{{Cite web |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/islamic-terrorist-frankland-prison-claims-8657864 |title=Islamic terrorist in Frankland Prison claims human rights were violated at Durham jail |first=Sophie |last=Doughty |date=16 February 2015 |website=Chronicle Live}}
• Charles Bronson{{Cite web |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/hmp-frankland-most-notorious-prisoners-11805646 |title=HMP Frankland: The most notorious prisoners to spend time behind bars at the County Durham jail |first=Keiran |last=Southern |author2=Laura Hill |name-list-style=amp |date=27 August 2016 |website=Chronicle Live |access-date=2017-04-03}}
• Paul John Ferris
• Adam Johnson
• Kieran Patrick Kelly{{Cite web |url=https://www.rte.ie/culture/2020/1205/1182481-going-underground-with-the-nobody-zone/ |title=The Nobody Zone finale: Everything we learned |first=Anna |last=Joyce |website=RTÉ |date=5 December 2020}}
• Andrzej Kunowski
• Andrew Malkinson{{Cite news |date=28 July 2023 |title=Andrew Malkinson hopes to leave UK after 17 years in prison for crime he didn't commit |work=ITV News |url=https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2023-07-28/man-wrongly-jailed-for-17-years-wants-to-quit-uk-but-cant-because-of-brexit |access-date=2 August 2023}}
• Dominic Noonan
• Colin Pitchfork
• Harold Shipman
• John Straffen
• Peter Sutcliffe
• Curtis Warren{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/feb/07/prison-guard-jailed-sexual-relationship-curtis-warren-stephanie-smithwhite |title=Prison guard jailed over sexual relationship with notorious inmate|author=PA Media |date=7 February 2020 |newspaper=The Guardian}}

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{{Reflist}}

{{Portal|England}}

• [http://www.justice.gov.uk/global/contacts/noms/prison-finder/frankland/ Ministry of Justice pages on Frankland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028035708/http://www.justice.gov.uk/global/contacts/noms/prison-finder/frankland/ |date=28 October 2011 }}
• [http://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/inspections/?s&location=frankland HMP Frankland - HM Inspectorate of Prisons Reports]

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{{Prisons in North East England}}

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Category:1980 establishments in England

Category:Buildings and structures in Durham, England

Category:Dispersal prisons

Category:Prisons in County Durham

Frankland

Frankland