Sessions Square & Maidstone Prison

Sessions Square and Maidstone Prison. . Sessions square is dominated by the neo-Baroque façade of County Hall, designed by F.W. Ruck and built 1910-1913 with further extensions in the 1930's. Behind it and glimpsed through the arch is the original Sessions House dating from 1826-7. It was designed by Sir Robert Smirke (architect of the British Museum)., Maidstone Gaol , Behind Sessions House is Maidstone Prison, designed by Daniel Alexander in 1810. It replaced the original County Prison, which in the 17th Century had been situated in the High Street, but had moved to a new building in King Street in 1746., Designs were produced by 1811 for a symmetrical model prison layout. This included a central circular keeper's house and chapel. There were also three small circular turnkey's houses linked by long straight wings and three short wings., The building of the prison entailed alterations to the street pattern. This, plus the building of the massive perimeter wall was completed by 1812 The rest of the prison buildings, built of brick with Kentish Ragstone facings and cast iron roof structures, was complete by 1819., The cost was £200,000 making it one of the most expensive and ambitious prisons of its time. The finished prison provided 452 night cells for prisoners Maidstone prison has been used in TV and film productions because of its classical prison design.