[8] Established in 1826 HMP Jamestown provides accommodation for convicted and remanded prisoners and also provides a police custody facility for arrested persons.

[11] While prison services on St. Helena adhere to the same high standards as other facilities in the UK, HMP Jamestown cannot fulfill this requirements in some aspects, mainly due to the old building offering only limited space.

It was criticised that the building did not offer modern (or hardly any at all) fire protection and is not barrier-free, making access for visiting wheelchair users impossible.

[13] The prison was widely condemned and deemed to be "unfit for purpose" following an inquiry by the St Helena Equality and Human Rights Commission.

[12] This is the Office in charge of all border control at the Sea & Air Port, passport issuing and nationality matters and is composed of:[14]