RECLAIM HOLLOWAY
The opportunity of a generation to reimagine
women’s services and spaces in the UK
Our Story
Holloway, the largest women's prison in Western Europe, was closed in 2016 and sold for redevelopment
Reclaim Holloway are campaigning for a Women's Building to be built on the site.
Visually striking, inclusive, accessible and welcoming, the Holloway Women’s Building will provide a positive and lasting legacy for the tens of thousands held in the prison over its 160-year history, while helping women to stay out of the criminal justice system. It will deliver a range of much-needed services for women and the local community. The Building will also feature working and meeting space for women’s projects that support social change, and for creative and cultural activities.
In early March 2019, three years after prison was closed, the site was sold to the Peabody housing association, backed by a £42 million loan from the Mayor of London. Peabody has committed to constructing genuinely affordable housing, green space, and a Women’s Building. Our activism paid off: these three major objectives of the Reclaim Holloway campaign were adopted by Islington Council’s 2018 planning guidance for the site.
Reclaim Holloway is continuing its campaign to ensure that three commitments are honoured, and in particular that the Holloway Women’s Building achieves its vision. Reclaim Holloway is working with architects, artists, women’s organisations and charities, academics, and women with experience of imprisonment to develop a detailed vision.
Peabody's public consultation process is underway. Find out more on Peabody's website.
Our work is inspired by the stories of women who were imprisoned in Holloway. Visit the Holloway Prison Stories site to read realistic and recognisable stories of Holloway, to explore the heritage of the prison, and to be inspired by a vision for the future.
All sketches by Niki Gibbs.
Pledge Your Support
Sign up to our mailing list below to show your support and keep updated with the campaign
Join the Women’s Building Working Group at Community Plan 4 Holloway
Do you have 2 hours per week to support the Working Group to take concrete actions
around the Women’s Building? Do you like to get hands-on and work with a group of local
residents with similar passions? If yes, please join the Working Group.
Fund us to conduct a feasibility study
Are you a funder who shares our vision for the Women’s Building, and passion for making
London an inclusive place for all women to thrive?
We are looking for funding to produce the feasibility study and business plan, in order to
bring more community voices into the planning of the Women’s Building.
Share with us your insights
Do you work to advance women’s rights in this country? Have you been active in feminist
activism? If yes, please share with us your insights on what you want for the Women’s Building
by emailing us or connecting on twitter at @reclaimholloway.
Latest News
Keep up to date with the campaign and how to take action
CONTACT US
For press inquiries or if you are interested in joining Reclaim Holloway, please fill in the form below.
Or email us at reclaimhollowaymail@gmail.com
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© 2016