Norwich opened as a prison in 1887 on the site of the Britannia Barracks the former home of the Royal Norfolk Regiment.

[2] At around this time Norwich became the only prison in England and Wales to have a unit exclusively for elderly males, mainly serving life sentences.

Other courses offered include ESOL, Food Hygiene, First Aid, Health and Safety, NVQ Catering, Art and Craft and pre-release work programmes.

Workshops offer printing, textiles, contract packing services and gardens.

There is also a Prison Visitor Centre which is operated by the Ormiston Children and Families Trust.