After multiple expansions and rebuilds, Victoria Prison now comprises buildings completed in different eras, demonstrating a variety of styles. During the construction phase in 1860, the Prison was modelled after the Pentonville Prison in London. It comprised 6 halls: the central administration building and Halls at five different wings, which were spread out in a fan. The guards stood guard at high points, overlooking the entire prison. This was an efficient use of manpower and satisfied the needs of a tight security. Each hall also received sunlight and air flow.
During rebuilding in 1895, the arrangement of the Halls was turned into a T shape. In the 1910s, 3 more Halls were built to alleviate the overcrowding. From the ground plans of the CPS Compound of 1914, the T arrangement comprised A Wing, B Wing, and C Wing; E wing was then under construction. Beside the B Wing is C Hall (at a location different from the present C Hall); D Hall at the time has since been renamed B Hall.
During WWII, most of the buildings in the prison were bombarded and suffered damages in various degrees. After the War, Halls B and C of the T arrangement suffered the greatest damage and were demolished; the remaining A Hall was renamed D Hall and integrated with the neighbouring women’s prison hall to form the eastern and western wings of the present D Hall. The old C Hall has been demolished.
The prison cells are small and originally designed to accommodate one prisoner. Later, the number of prisoners exploded and at its height 3 inmates occupied one cell. Besides a double-layer bunk bed, a single plastic bed was added. There was no remaining space.
