HMP Belmarsh (London)

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HM Prison Belmarsh is a high security prison in the Thamesmead area of the London Borough of Greenwich in south-east London. Operational since 2 April 1991, the facility can hold 915 prisoners.

It is often used for the detainment of prisoners for terrorist related offences. Between 2001 and 2004 the prison was used to detain a number of people indefinitely without trial under the provisions of the Part 4 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001.

It was built on part of the East site of the former Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. It is adjacent/adjoined to Woolwich Crown Court, which is therefore used for high profile cases (including those concerning national security).

On May 4, 2007, there was a violent disturbance in the prison, Sky News reported. At least four prison guards were injured.[citation needed]

Current inmates

Ali Harbi Ali, murdered MP David Amess
Paul 'Des' Ballard, television presenter, caused death by dangerous driving, and various other crimes including rape
David Carrick, serial rapist and former Metropolitan Police officer
David Copeland, neo-Nazi who bombed a gay pub, Brixton Market and Brick Lane
Louis De Zoysa, shot dead an on-duty police sergeant at Croydon police station in September 2020.
Delroy Grant, the "Night Stalker", a serial rapist and burglar, with perhaps over 100 offences
Danyal Hussein, murdered two sisters in a London park
Daniel Khalife, former UK Armed Forces soldier and prison escaper
Stephen Port, the "Grindr Killer", serial killer and serial rapist
Khairi Saadallah, stabbed three people to death in a Reading park, seriously injured others

Former inmates

Hashem Abedi (moved to HM Prison Frankland)
Michael Adebowale (moved to Broadmoor Hospital)
Jonathan Aitken
Abu Hamza al-Masri (sentenced to life imprisonment in the United States. Incarcerated at ADX Florence)
Sudesh Amman
Jeffrey Archer
Julian Assange, accused by the United States of espionage.
Ronnie Biggs
Charles Bronson
Anjem Choudary
Wayne Couzens (moved to HM Prison Frankland)
Richard Huckle (later moved to HM Prison Full Sutton, where he was murdered)
Ian Huntley (moved to HM Prison Frankland in 2008)
Usman Khan
Denis MacShane
Thomas Mair (moved to HM Prison Frankland)
Jordan McSweeney (moved to HM Prison Long Lartin)
Darren Osborne, murdered one person and attempted murder of others by driving into them (moved to HM Prison Full Sutton)
Maurice Robinson (moved to HM Prison Lowdham Grange)
Tommy Robinson
Richard Tomlinson
John Worboys (moved to HM Prison Wakefield)