Latchmer House

During the First World War (1914-1918), the Latchmer House was used as a hospital for the treatment of officers suffering from the effects of shell shock.

During the Second World War, Latchmer House was used as a center for the conclusion and removal of interrogations (known as camp 020) of enemy agents captured by MI5 . In 1948, Latchmer House became a prison, an institution for young criminals, a detention center, and a prison for exiles. In 1992, the prison became a transit prison for category D prisoners.

In a report of the Chief Inspector of the Prison Service of Her Royal Majesty in December 2003, the prison was praised for her rehabilitation center, employment opportunities for prisoners and good relations between prison staff and prisoners, but it was noted that the prison can no longer prepare prisoners for release and sometimes I can’t quickly get down to business with new arrivals who sit idle for several months ^[1] .

According to the annual report of the prison service in August 2004, the number of working hours of a prisoner per week was 57.6 “purposeful activity”, which made the prison “the best in the country for providing useful work for its prisoners” ^[2] . The prison also looked good as the racial equality of prisoners and the education of prisoners, but not as successful in terms of relocating prisoners or preventing drug use.

In July 2011, the Department of Justice announced plans to close the Latchmer House in September 2011. The closure of the prison is part of a widespread cost-saving plan by the ministry. ^[3]

Latchmer House was a male D-category prison, mainly containing prisoners transferred from other prisons, awaiting the end of their sentence and about to settle in Greater London after release. Thus, prison activity was mainly focused on the integration of former criminals into society.

The prisoners were expected to work in prison before being released on temporary permission. Prison internal training was available with access to external resources. Inmates who completed restorative justice programs were allowed to seek full employment outside the prison during the final part of their detention.

In September 2011, by order of the Ministry of Justice, the prison at Latchmer House was closed ^{[4]. The} remaining prisoners were transferred to other prisons. The closure of the prison took place according to the plan of the ministry on saving funds ^[3] .

Latchmer House is expected to be sold by the Department of Justice for revenue. The building is a premier property with views of London's Richmond Park ^[5] and can be rebuilt for residential, commercial and leisure purposes. However, the Richmond County Council decided to add the building (Victorian architecture) to the list of buildings of architectural or historical value. ^[6] This may affect the future use of the building. Requests may be made for the use of the building by the local community.

• HM Prison Service pages on Latchmere house