The jail and courthouse at Inveraray Jail opened in 1820. It finally closed on the 30th August 1889. The larger city prisons proved more efficient to run, and the smaller jails were classified as redundant.
The airing yards at the jail were added in 1843. The yards provided a secure place where prisoners could be exercised in the open air.
In 1848, the addition of the New Prison, or Men's Prison, was completed. It was a model prison for its day with twelve individual cells, accommodation for warders, a water closet on every floor, a store room and indoor exercise gallery. It was well-heated and lit by gas, a great improvement on the previous dark and damp original prison building.
You may visit the courthouse where over six thousand men, women and children were sentenced. The jail has records of every person who was imprisoned. The room has its high roof and a central podium for the Judge, but it is the lifelike models and soundtrack that bring the court to life. You can listen to the actual transcripts of court proceedings.
Opening Times
Every day except Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
April to October - 9.30am - 6pm The last admission is at 5pm
November to March - 10am - 5pm The last admission is at 4pm
Prices
Adult £6.25 Seniors £4.15 Child (4 -16) £3.15 Family Ticket £17.20
You are allowed to explore the cells of the old and new prisons. You could be locked up in the airing yards, not by warders,but in the company of the friendly guides. You may enjoy the many exhibitions and discover what day to day life was like for the men, women and children who were once locked up.
The jail has a shop that you can visit for interesting gifts, jail
souvenirs and an amazing range of books.
