Constructed on the western part of the site which was previously RAF Market Harborough Gartree Prison opened in 1965, and was originally a Category C training centre, but its status was quickly upgraded to a maximum security prison.

On 10 December 1987 at 3.15 pm, John Kendall and Sydney Draper were sprung from Gartree's exercise yard with the aid of a hijacked Bell 206 JetRanger helicopter.

[2][3] The escape caused great controversy at the time and led to a tightening of security at the jail.

Kendall was recaptured 10 days later, but Draper remained on the run for another 13 months.

In a 2003 report the Board of Visitors criticised Gartree Prison for a serious shortage of staff, and budget cuts which were having a significant impact on services at the jail.