The former prison site was bought by Canterbury Christ Church University in April 2014.

The prison originated as a county gaol in 1808 and served as a Home Office archive during the First World War.

[1] Two years later the Howard League for Penal Reform criticised the prison for its high rates of suicides amongst inmates.

[3] In 2008 the Princess Royal visited Canterbury as part of celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the prison.

[4] On 10 January 2013, the Ministry of Justice announced that Canterbury was one of six prisons that would close.