Prince William has announced that the £1.5 million annual rent paid by the Ministry of Justice for the former HMP Dartmoor site will now be redirected to support the local community of Princetown in Devon, rather than going into his personal Duchy of Cornwall accounts. The prison closed permanently in 2024 after dangerous levels of the radioactive gas radon were discovered inside its buildings.
Ghost Town Fears After Prison Closure
Princetown, located in Dartmoor National Park, has seen a dramatic decline in footfall since the prison shut. The facility had previously sustained local businesses through staff, visitors, and contractors. The National Parks Authority visitor centre also closed in 2025, compounding the economic blow. Locals describe the area as a “ghost town.”
Prince William inherited the Duchy of Cornwall upon the death of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, when his father became King. He has visited Princetown multiple times and has seen firsthand the impact of the prison’s closure.
Redirecting Income for Community Benefit
Until now, the £1.5 million annual rent from the Ministry of Justice went into the Duchy’s accounts, which fund the Prince’s official life. However, on Thursday, Prince William announced that the money will instead be used to revitalise Dartmoor and Princetown.
Prince William's private secretary Ian Patrick said: “The Duke has seen first-hand the impact that the prison’s continued closure is having on the local community and believes it is right that this money should be used to help the area build for the future while uncertainty remains.”
He added: “This decision reflects The Duke’s belief that the Duchy should be a force for positive impact in the communities it serves.”
Community Uncertainty Addressed
Patrick further noted: “Prince William knows that for many people in Princetown, the prison has long been part of the fabric of the community. Its closure has created genuine uncertainty, not just about jobs and businesses, but about the future of the town itself. The duke felt strongly that, while those questions remain unanswered, the benefit of this income should remain in the community, helping local people shape that future.”
The move has been widely welcomed as an honourable decision that supports a struggling rural community in the South West of England.
