Cell life...

Spent our stay in Oxford in a prison, happily now beautifully refurbished as the Oxford Malmaison. It is an interesting and unique place to stay, as the central area with its metal stair wells looks exactly like a prison fim set. Modelled on Pentonville prison, it had a central open space surrounded by 150 identical cells each intended to hold one prisoner. By the time the prison closed in 1996 up to 3 men were being held in each tiny space, which doesn't bear thinking about.
Our room was spacious and luxurious: this is what the cells used to be like! Even if you don't want to stay there it's worth going in for a drink or a meal and a look around. This cell is on the basement floor, along the corridor to the right and at the very end.