Radon gas keeps Dartmoor prison closed indefinitely

Dartmoor Prison will remain shut indefinitely after ongoing safety concerns, including the discovery of radioactive gas, prompted the authorities to move prisoners out.

A report from ITV recently suggested that the closure could last for up to three years due to these findings, but the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has insisted in a statement to The Moorlander that they did not issue this timeline.

A Prison Service spokesperson stated: “After close monitoring of the situation at HMP Dartmoor, we took the decision to temporarily close the site. We continue to take advice from specialists to explore how it can be reopened as quickly as possible.”

The MoJ stated that there is no official timeline for reopening, though efforts are being made to address the issues and resume operations as soon as feasible, it said. 

All prisoners and staff were moved out of the 200-year-old jail in August 2024 due to high levels of radon gas. 

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep from the ground and accumulate in enclosed spaces.

Long-term exposure to radon can increase the risk of lung cancer, making it a serious health hazard for those inside the prison.

The presence of high radon levels has raised significant safety concerns about the viability of the prison, leading to its temporary closure. 

Although the MoJ has confirmed that the timeline suggested by ITV is not official, the issue of radon contamination remains a critical factor in the closure.

The extended closure of the prison is expected to have a major impact on the local community. 

The prison has long been a significant employer and contributor to the local economy. 

The closure raises questions about job security for those employed at the site and the wider effects on small businesses that rely on the prison's operations.

The Moorlander will continue to follow the situation closely and provide updates as they arise.