[2][3] It was rebuilt by Bishop Thomas Langley in the early 15th century to provide custodial facilities, which became known as the Northgate Prison or the County Gaol, and was enlarged in 1773.

[5] In the early 19th century, the two institutions were consolidated at the current site, just south of the new Durham Courthouse: the new prison, consisting of some 600 cells, opened in 1819.

He was hanged amid heightened security of 50 mounted Hussars and 50 infantrymen to protect the gallows.

[6] On 17 December 1958, the final execution at Durham took place when Private Brian Chandler (aged 20) was hanged for the murder of Martha Dodd in the course of theft.

[16] In 2011 it was announced that, along with several other prisons, HMP Durham would be put up for market testing as part of a Ministry of Justice plan to make savings of almost 25%.

[20] The prison offers part-time education to all inmates, including courses on data input, bricklaying, woodwork, painting and decorating, waste management and gardening.