Inmate 62763

What are the small yellow circular things that you see in cell doors in a lot of British prisons? Saw a photo on one of your blog posts.

Hi. Thanks for your question. I actually get asked this quite regularly.

It's called a INUNDATION POINT. It's a round metal or plastic plug in the cell door that can be removed with a special slot type of key and once the plug is removed then a water hose or other device can be aimed through the small hole where the plug was. It's main function is if there is disorder, riot or for instance maybe a arson attempt in the cell then officers can spray water or other controlling substance into the cell.

You tend to find inundation point plugs in the older style cell doors which you still have in lots of UK prisons whereby the cell doors are locked and unlocked manually with keys rather than from a central control point. The older design cell doors usually open inwards so it's possible for a prisoner to attempt to barricade themselves in the cell so the inundation point is useful if officers can't open or don't want to open the cell door but still need to spray a substance into the cell. That is the main function of it and thinking back to my time in prison i actually do not remember them needing to be used very often. Hope that answer helps. I will attach a photo of the usual type of cell door in UK prisons you find them on.