The pedestal of the Former Central Magistracy houses prison cells to hold suspects awaiting trial. The initial design, having considered matters of security, was extraordinarily sturdy. < Previous PhotoGo Next Photo >
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The pedestal of the Former Central Magistracy houses prison cells to hold suspects awaiting trial. The initial design, having considered matters of security, was extraordinarily sturdy. To ensure safety when prison guards escort prisoners in or out, multiple independent passageways and tunnels were built connecting the basement to Victoria Prison, CPS, and the dock. There was no need for prisoners to come out in the open air. After the Magistracy was decommissioned, the secret passages were closed down.
Six small circular windows punctured the outer walls of the pedestal, beneath which is a small, independent doorway originally providing access to judges and staff. Later, with the increasingly busy traffic at Arbuthnot Road, the doorway was barred and use was discontinued. The doorway is framed by fine granite blocks, topped by a royal family emblem and a carving of the year “1914”. The lintel of the arch is decorated by arcone designs. On the side of the pedestal is a large arch door, beyond which a long granite staircase leads to the public entrance of the court. It is an imposing design, but the door was rarely opened.
