The Jailhouse Gift & Plant Shop

 The Jailhouse Gift and Plant Shop is located in The Governor’s Garden at the rear of the Jailhouse Diner and opposite HMP Portland.

Opening hours 10:00 to 14:00 Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Plus bank holidays 


Please see our Facebook page for activities taking place

 What we offer

Our aim is to bring both fresh food and farming closer to people and we offer a range of seasonal vegetables that have been grown in our own allotments and in the prison to the highest standards. In addition, we grow a wide range of ornamental bedding plants that are available throughout the season.

The Gift and Plant Shop also has Tea, Coffee, Cold Drinks and Snacks available to purchase and an outdoor seating area.

We have two large greenhouses and grow a variety of plants an flowers as well as peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers. 

The shop is selling a range of products: 
  • Prisoner made Portland stone and wooden products with all sales reinvested into the rehabilitation programme 
  • Hanging baskets and flowers are for sale
  • Wooden Pots
  • Garden accessories
  • Jams and Chutneys
  • Jailhouse branded merchandise

Our Mission

Our mission is for risk-assessed prisoners from HMP Portland and Young Offenders Institute to work alongside Expia staff and volunteers so they are able to gain work experience in retail and customer care, health and safety and hygiene.

The Gift and Plant Shop enables us to engage ex-offenders in real work and training, which develops routes to successful employment, rehabilitation and resettlement safely back into the community.

The training that’s provided helps prisoners have an opportunity to experience realistic work, gain qualifications with the aim to make a real difference to people’s lives and if someone gets employment when released it is statistically proven that they’re less likely to reoffend.

Expia offers different work opportunities and qualifications for eligible risk-assessed prisoners and at the same time provides a valuable service for the Portland community and visitors to the Island.