Nine new prisons are to be built in an effort to combat high levels of re-offending and modernise ageing facilities, the government has announced.
Victorian-era jails, some of which have been in operation for over 150 years, are to be replaced with newly-designed buildings more able to provide crucial rehabilitation facilities.
The proposals are to be included in the government's Autumn spending review, with George Osborne hailing the opportunity to free-up land in city centres to provide additional housing.
Victorian diagrams of two of London's oldest jails contrast with modern-day photographs to show just how little things have changed since their construction.
Except for additional buildings built on the prison grounds, Wandsworth Prison in south west London and Pentonville Prison in north London retain their Victorian masterplans - designed and built in the 1800s.
Victorian Era Prisons
Wandsworth Prison, 1860.(01 of04)
Open Image ModalA diagram made as a part of Victorian record keeping shows the original layout of Wandsworth Prison, with four wings surrounding a central hall. (credit:Alamy)
Wandsworth Prison, 2000s.(02 of04)
Open Image ModalAnd this image of the modern-day Wandsworth shows how little the prison has changed since its construction. The complex is still formed around a central core, with newer additions occupying former green spaces within the prison walls. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Archive)
Pentonville Prison, 1844.(03 of04)
Open Image ModalThis 1844 diagram of Pentonville - known as "the Ville" - shows the four main wings revolved around a central main building. Copious outdoor space includes fitness facilities such as running tracks. (credit:Alamy)
Pentonville Prison, 2014.(04 of04)
Open Image ModalAs this modern-day photograph shows, Pentonville retains its 160-year-old Victorian masterplan, although much of the outdoors has been developed into facilities and accommodation, reducing recreational space. (credit:Sky News/Film Image Partner via Getty Images)
Prisons at Wandsworth, Brixton, Pentonville and Leeds are thought to be being considered for closure and relocation under the scheme.
These views from inside Victorian-era jails portray the realities of living in century-old quarters, how life inside them appears little changed through the decades, and why the government is finally planning to replace them.
Views Of Britain's Victorian Prisons
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Open Image ModalWandsworth Prison, south west London, c. 1970s. (credit:PA Archive/PA Archive)
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Open Image ModalWandsworth Prison, south west London, 2003. (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalWandsworth Prison, south west London, 2003. (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalWandsworth Prison, south west London, 2003. (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalPentonville Prison, north London. (credit:Ian Waldie via Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalPentonville Prison, north London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Archive)
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Open Image ModalPentonville Prison, north London. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Archive)
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Open Image ModalPentonville Prison, north London, 1999. (credit:Anthony Devlin/PA Archive)
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Open Image ModalA guard lights an inmates cigarette in this photograph at Pentonville Prison, in the 1970s. (credit:© Mike Abrahams / Alamy)
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Open Image ModalA prisoner washes his face in a cell at Pentonville Prison, pictured in the 1970s. (credit:© Mike Abrahams / Alamy)
Unchanged Since 1820(11 of21)
Open Image ModalBrixton Prison in south west London has been largely unchanged since its construction in the 19th century.
The prison has adapted its aging building many times, but as with other Victorian-era prisons, the main design remains the same.
(credit:© Mike Abrahams / Alamy)
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Open Image ModalA window with bars at Brixton Prison, photographed the 70s. (credit:© Mike Abrahams / Alamy)
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Open Image ModalThe size of cells at Wandsworth prison were highlighted in this 2008 photograph of a visit by then Opposition Leader David Cameron. (credit:Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP)
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Open Image ModalWandsworth Prison, south west London, 1999. (credit:© BRIAN HARRIS / Alamy)
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Open Image ModalWandsworth Prison, south west London, 1999. (credit:© Brian Harris Editorial Photographer / Alamy)
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Open Image ModalDilapidation in a courtyard at Wandsworth Prison, photographed in 1999. (credit:© BRIAN HARRIS / Alamy)
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Open Image ModalAn undated image of one of Wandsworth's oldest prison wings, built in 1851. (credit:PA Archive/PA Archive)
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Open Image ModalWandsworth Prison, south west London, date unknown. (credit:PA Archive/PA Archive)
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Open Image ModalThis cell at Brixton prison, pictured in 1965, retains its Victorian design - and changed little throughout the 20th century.
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Open Image Modal(21 of21)
Open Image ModalA guard stands watch over landings at Pentonville Prison, largely unchanged since their original construction, save the more modern addition of suicide prevention nets. (credit:Alamy)
George Osborne said: "This spending review is about reform as much as it is about making savings.
One important step will be to modernise the prison estate. So many of our jails are relics from Victorian times on prime real estate in our inner cities.
“So we are going to reform the infrastructure of our prison system, building new institutions which are modern, suitable and rehabilitative. And we will close old, outdated prisons in city centres, and sell the sites to build thousands of much-needed new homes."
The Justice Secretary Michael Gove said the new prisons would "design out dark corners" which enable illegal activity.
In July, Britain's chief prisons inspector, Nick Hardwick, wrote (PDF): "More prisoners were murdered, killed themselves, self-harmed and were victims of assaults than five years ago." He concluded that efforts to increase rehabilitation of prisoners were failing in too many prisons.