PICTURES: Rare glimpse inside Doncaster Prison as jail celebrates 22nd anniversary

Here's a a rare glimpse inside Doncaster Prison - as the jail marks its 22nd birthday today.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Jun 2016, 10:53 BST
Updated 20th Jun 2016, 10:58 BST
An aerial view of Doncaster Prison.An aerial view of Doncaster Prison.
An aerial view of Doncaster Prison.

The jail, in Marshgate and just outside Doncaster town centre, first opened to inmates on June 20, 1994.

Many of us will never set foot inside, but since its opening more than two decades ago, Doncaster Prison has welcomed thousands of 'guests.'

The jail boasts an all-weather sports field.The jail boasts an all-weather sports field.
The jail boasts an all-weather sports field.
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In the summer of 1994, HMP Doncaster, built on the site of the former Doncaster Power Station, opened to prisoners for the first time.

It attracted much media interest early on as one of the first privately run jails in the country.

And with its position between the Rivers Don and Cheswold, it was nicknamed Doncatraz in reference to the famed American island prison Alcatraz.

Running of the jail was contracted out by the Home Office, with Premier Prison Services, a joint operation between Serco and US firm Wackenhut, in charge of the 1,100 capacity jail.

Prisoners are able to play pool inside the jail in recreational areas.Prisoners are able to play pool inside the jail in recreational areas.
Prisoners are able to play pool inside the jail in recreational areas.
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First governor was Kevin Rogers and early visitors included Princess Anne and former Beirut hostage Terry Waite. TV chef Gordon Ramsay filmed an episode of his hit TV cookery show The F-Word there.

Celebrity prisoners have included former boxing champion Prince’ Naseem Hamed and Baron Ahmed, both of whom spent time behind bars after being convicted of dangerous driving