A to Z of HMP Larkhall
H
H-Wing
Another of Larkhall’s wings. Di was originally a H-Wing PO.
Halfway House
A type of boarding house used to provide short-term accommodation for homeless inmates upon their release from prison. Monica opened a halfway house after her release and provided a place for Julie S when she was briefly released on electronic tag (s3ep3). Barbara later provided Monica with the funds to open another house (s3ep4).
Hamad, Janan
Softly spoken Muslim woman who was sent to Larkhall after being convicted of the murder of her husband’s uncle. The crime was committed in self-defence, but Janan’s husband and his relatives testified that it had been committed in cold blood. Determined to prove her innocence, Janan climbed on to the prison roof where she was later joined by Darlene, Tina and the Julies. The media storm that followed convinced Janan’s mother-in-law, Ishrat, to come forward and support her story. Janan was later released on bail in preparation for her appeal (s6ep4).
Hamper
A luxury food hamper was sent to Larkhall for Tanya and allowed onto G-Wing by media-phobic Neil. Hollamby confiscated the pick of the hamper’s contents and then delivered it to the dorm where Al and Darlene fell on it like a pair of hyenas (s6ep6). The hamper was thought to be the source of the oxalic acid responsible for poisoning the whole wing and for killing Al. Tanya was the police’s prime suspect until she was cleared by the discovery of the rhubarb hooch in the servery (s6ep8).
Phyl and Bev received a hamper of fresh fruit at Christmas from Oliver, their man on the outside. All of the festive satsumas had been hollowed out and filled with alcohol (s7ep13).
Handcuffs
Shell and Denny found a pair of handcuffs stashed away in Bobby and Sylvia Hollamby’s bedroom (s3ep8). Frances used a pair to tie Colin down to her bed for a spot of nocturnal naughtiness (s6ep5), and Selena handcuffed herself to Kris during her protest on top of the Wellington Arch (s6ep12).
Colin tried to handcuff himself to Laura Canning when she was taken out of Larkhall to show the police where she had left her sister Emily. She panicked and refused to leave the prison unless the handcuffs were left off. Colin’s decision not to force the issue ended in tragedy when he was then unable to stop Laura throwing herself off a balcony (s7ep4).
It Natalie thought Kevin was going to be a soft touch when he escorted her to a hotel on an outside visit, she was sorely mistaken – he even kept her shackled to him when they were having sex. Afterwards, she persuaded him to remove the cuffs so that she could use the bathroom. Even when she emerged with a can of mace, sprayed him in the face and then cuffed him to a piece of furniture, Kevin proved to be more than a match for her – he had a spare handcuff key taped to his leg (s7ep12).
Hanging Cell
When capital punishment was abolished in the UK, Larkhall’s hanging cell was more or less forgotten... until Kris discovered a set of plans that dated back to Victorian times. Kris planned to make her escape through the hanging cell and then up through the metal grate that covered a secret entrance into the yard. However, a Fenner-induced injury forced her to postpone her attempt. After being clued up to the plan, Yvonne decided to make a break for it after Barbara’s wedding, unaware that Fenner had sussed her out. He followed her down to the cell and managed to trap her in the now blocked off tunnel with no means of escape (s5ep16). Her body was discovered by Kris during her own escape attempt six weeks later (s6ep1).
Yvonne’s death was avenged in the hanging cell on the first anniversary of her death. Julie J stabbed Fenner in the neck with an ice dagger and the evil one breathed his last whilst face-to-face with a picture of Yvonne (s7ep10).
Harding, Baxter
Tragic tot who was born HIV positive to a heroin-addicted mother, Spike. Buki developed a close bond with him when she worked as an assistant on the MBU, caring for him whenever Spike, was ill. She was understandably devastated when he died (s4ep10).
Harding, Spike
Baxter’s mother, a HIV positive heroin addict who passed both her addiction and the disease on to her son. At first, Buki was convinced that Spike was a bad mother, especially when she caught her dissolving drugs into his milk. Then she learnt that both mother and son were dying (s4ep9).
Harley Davidson
An highly desirable, American make of motorbike. Yvonne arranged for a Harley to be delivered to Larkhall as a birthday present for Dominic (s1ep10). Many viewers wondered what happened to the bike, but all was revealed when the Series 2 DVD box-set was released. In one of the deleted scenes, Dominic informs Yvonne that he sold the bike and donated the money to the PO’s Benevolent Fund, but not before indulging in “a good burn up the Old Kent Road first”.
Hayes, Alan Detective Inspector
The police detective who, along with his sidekick DS Caroline Hook, was put in charge of the hunt for Fenner’s killer. Although he was spoilt for choice when it came to suspects – “finding a killer in here is like looking for a tart in Soho; you’re spoilt for choice” – he chose to trust his initial gut instinct and focussed the investigation on his prime suspect, Di (s7ep11). See Hook, Caroline Detective Sergeant.
Hearse
When Bobby Hollamby wasn’t using his hearse to ferry coffins about, he used it to take Bodybag shopping! After a night of terrorising the Hollambys, Shell and Denny used the hearse as an unlikely getaway car (s3ep8). Later, Bobby committed suicide by gassing himself to death with the hearse’s exhaust fumes (s5ep2).
Hedges, Colin
During his time walking the G-Wing landings, Colin underwent a drastic transformation – a seedy heroin addict, despised because of the part he played in Shell’s transfer to a secure psychiatric unit, eventually turned well-liked goody-two-shoes. Colin was deeply affected by the death of Laura Canning (s7ep4) and it was then only a matter of time before he snapped. After head butting evil Catholic Priest Father Kelly, he was suspended from duty (s7ep6).
Read Colin’s character profile.
Hennessey, Ben
The real name of Ben Phillips, the Larkhall maintenance man who actually turned out to be a driver for a laundry company. Ben would sneak into the prison to take advantage of all of the lonely and sexually frustrated inmates and was eventually caught out by Neil after he was tipped off by the Julies. Ben was subsequently remanded in custody and placed on the VPU at HMP Holdengate – where Fenner was also banged up. Fenner immediately spotted an opportunity to frame Ben for the crime he had committed and was released soon after (s7ep1). See Phillips, Ben.
Herceptin
The trade name for Trastuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that is used to treat breast cancer. Clinical trials have found that Herceptin can also reduce the risk of breast cancer patients by 50%, and so when she heard about it, Julie S asked about the possibility of treatment. Herceptin is extremely expensive and because of how much it costs the NHS to prescribe it, it is difficult enough for women on the outside to get it, let alone prison inmates. However, Rowan saw Julie as a perfect chance to raise his profile and promised to do everything he could to help. Rowan didn’t actually care whether Julie got the drug or not, but this became a moot point when Lou put him in a hospital bed (s8ep9).
Heroin
Also known as brown, skag, horse and smack, heroin is an opiate that can be smoked, snorted or dissolved in water and then injected. Zandra was addicted to heroin when she first arrived on G-Wing and nothing, not even pregnancy, could stop her from injecting herself into oblivion on regular occasions.
Phyl and Bev dabbled in heroin when their alcohol supply dried up (s5ep16). Bev later became addicted and nearly killed herself by accidentally overdosing (s6ep2). Roisin also tried heroin and ended up on the Muppet Wing as a result (s4ep13). It’s not only G-Wing’s inmates who indulge. Colin’s addiction was so severe that he used to inject himself whilst on duty.
Hicks, Mrs
Rachel’s mother. Rachel asked her to collect a package on Shell’s orders, but she refused (s1ep4). After Rachel’s suicide, she very nearly dropped Shell in it by telling Helen about the package. Shell had to resort to some very quick thinking to explain her way out of trouble (s1ep5).
Hicks, Rachel
Rachel was only seventeen when she was sent to Larkhall and much too vulnerable and naive to cope with prison life. She was seduced by Fenner and bullied unmercifully by Shell and Denny. After receiving the news that her baby daughter Maddie had been taken into care, Rachel decided that she had nothing more to live for and committed suicide (s1ep4).
Read Rachel’s character profile.
Hit Man
Yvonne was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder after she hired a hit man to bump off one of Charlie’s business rivals. She later discovered that Charlie and his mistress Renee Williams had set her up (s2ep13). Hiring hit men is definitely an Atkins family trait. Although it has never been conclusively proved, it is assumed that Lauren Atkins hired the hit man who shot her father dead (s3ep5). Yvonne later arranged with Lauren for another hit man to pay Fenner a visit, but the attempt failed (s3ep15).
Holdengate, HMP
The prison where Fenner was remanded in custody for a short time. As an ex-screw, he was viciously bullied by his fellow inmates and was eventually forced to ask for a transfer to the prison’s Vulnerable Prisoners Unit (s7ep1).
Hole Punch
Hollamby was too E’d up to care when she opened up her 30th wedding anniversary present and found a hole punch in the presentation box. The real present – a gold carriage clock – had been stolen by Crystal (s2ep13). See Carriage Clock.
Hollamby, Bobby
Bodybag’s late husband and her ballroom dancing partner. Along with his wife, he was tortured unmercifully by escapees Shell and Denny and very nearly ended up burnt to a crisp (s3ep8). Bobby ran his own undertaking business until crippling debts and impending bankruptcy drove him to suicide (s5ep2).
Hollamby, Bobby Darren
Bodybag’s son. He gave his mother away at her wedding to Dr Nicholson and then ended up in bed with Neil (s7ep6). Bobby Darren’s sexuality disgusted his mother and so their relationship was always on the fragile side. Things came to a head when he invited Hollamby to spend Christmas with him and his partner Brian. She refused and a vicious argument ensued. After a nightmare visit from Natalie’s ghost, Hollamby saw the error of her ways and made amends (s8ep11).
Hollamby, Sylvia
Aka Bodybag. Evil old trout who believes that all of Larkhall’s inmates should be locked up in their cells 24-7 and fed nothing but bread and water. She’s hated by the inmates because of her nasty streak and despised by her fellow screws because of her archaic attitude and chronic laziness. However, despite her ineptitude, she has twice been promoted to Acting G-Wing Governor (s4ep11 & s8ep9).
Read Hollamby’s character profile.
Hook, Caroline Detective Sergeant
One of the police detectives who investigated Fenner’s murder. Affectionately known as ‘Hooky’ by her guv’nor DI Hayes, Hook remained the voice of reason when his gut instinct blinkered him to potential suspects other than Di. Even she was unable to come up with a credible explanation when Di was caught trying to dispose of a uniform covered in Fenner’s blood (s7ep11). See Hayes, Alan Detective Inspector.
Hospital Wing
Where Larkhall’s inmates are taken for medical treatment. It has been the scene of many a drama, including: Fenner’s near-death experience after being stabbed by Shell (s3ep1), Denny nearly choking to death on her own blood (s3ep5), Snowball’s bout of self-inflicted salmonella (s5ep4) and practically the whole of G-Wing suffering the effects of oxalic poisoning (s6ep7-ep8).
Bev was confined to the hospital wing after she was mistakenly shot by the police. Rowan saw right through her sudden attack of paranoia and so she blackmailed him into giving her a temporary transfer to a cushy private hospital (s8ep2).
Howe, Sally Ann
Incredibly brave ex-police officer who was raped by DC Gossard, the man Nikki killed. Sally Ann came forward to testify at Nikki’s appeal and her evidence was instrumental in the court’s decision to reduce her murder conviction to one of manslaughter (s3ep16).
Hunger Strike
Crystal went on hunger strike after a sample of her urine tested positive for drugs. It later transpired that Di had swapped Crystal’s clean sample with Charlotte Myddleton’s positive sample (s3ep9). After a second test proved that the samples had been swapped, Crystal was exonerated and started eating again (s3ep10).
Hunt, Amanda & Greg
Barbara’s evil stepchildren. They were furious when their father Peter left his millions to Barbara, his second wife. With the help of a private detective, they discovered that Barbara had bigamously married Peter and became convinced that she’d murdered him for his money. The police were called and Barbara was left with hell of a lot of explaining to do, not least to her friends on G-Wing, all of whom felt betrayed (s3ep4).
Hunt, Barbara
Prison was a huge shock to Barbara, and for a while, it looked like she would sink rather than swim. However, a violent confrontation with Shell saw her come into her own (s2ep9), and she eventually became a trusted member of ‘the gang’. Her new friends flocked to help when her stepchildren accused her of murdering their father, but when the bigamous state of this marriage was revealed; even those closest to her began to suspect her guilt (s3ep4). Barbara won her friends over by pledging a huge sum of money to build a new halfway house and was later vindicated when the police dropped all the charges against her (s3ep15). A devout Christian, Barbara was a regular fixture in the chapel where she met the man who became her third husband, Chaplain Henry Mills.
Read Barbara’s character profile.
Hunt, Peter
Barbara’s second husband, a multi-millionaire who developed lung cancer. After helping Peter to commit suicide, Barbara was charged with and later convicted of manslaughter. It later transpired that Barbara had married Peter bigamously after her first husband refused to give her a divorce.