AS CHELMSFORD prison celebrates its 190th anniversary two long-serving prison officers are trawling through the archives to compile a book on its past.
From mass breakout attempts, to executions and film shoots, the site on Springfield Road has seen a lot of action in the past 190 years.
But after coming to the end of their own research, the part-time historians are looking for anyone with their own stories of the prison to come forward.
Officer Colin Brown, who has worked at the jail for 24 years, and is one of the prison's historians, alongside Mick Tyler, said: "The original jail in Chelmsford was based where Burger King is now, right on the riverbank. They decided they needed a new jail because it started to sink.
"And after a man managed to escape by digging a tunnel with a stick and another man, who only had one hand, tunnelled out, they knew it wasn't secure enough.
"Work began on a new prison in Springfield and on October 25, 1825 the Convict Jail at Springfield welcomed 45 prisoners. It was still a building site and the jail wasn't declared officially open until 1828.
"In those days you left Chelmsford to get to Springfield, they were completely separate, and Springfield was countryside."
After it was completed in 1828 the prison accepted more convicts from thieves to rapists and crooks.
"It's funny that you do see things being repeated, added Mr Brown. "In those days someone would be sent to prison for stealing a handkerchief but now that would be the same as stealing a mobile phone.
"Once we started researching the prison you get so into it and involved, it's fascinating, but we've exhausted all our resources and are really looking for more people to come forward."
Fellow prison historian, Mick Tyler, added: "We're hoping former colleagues or relatives who might have pictures or stories can share them with us and then we'll have even more information.
"The prison has a vast history and it would be great to collect more information than what we've already tracked down."
If you'd like to share your story of the prison's past e-mail Mick and Colin on prisonarchive@virginmedia.com
