Created: Friday, 22 February 2013 09:57

GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND—A prison in southwestern England that's marked for closure and redevelopment could sit on top of more than 100 unmarked graves of former inmates that were executed over the years. Government officials admitted knowledge that at least 17 people were buried at the prison between 1874 and 1939. A local historian, Phil Moss, says, "Tradition was prisoners were always buried within the prison." The Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England, better known as English Heritage, is arguing that archaeological investigation needds to take place before the prison site is repurposed for apartments or a hotel. They add that remains of the Roman town that preceeded Gloucester might also be under the prison.