 Long Lartin was opened as a Category C training prison in 1971, with additional security features and systems being added in 1972 to enable it to operate as a dispersal prison.In April 1990, inmates at Long Lartin Prison attempted a mass breakout, and about 30 prisoners barricaded themselves on a landing after guards foiled their escape bid.As a consequence of this and other security breaches, such as when inmate Gareth Connett was suspected of making a homemade handgun in the metal workshop in August 1992 which resulted in a full stand down search of Long Lartin, prison officers were drafted in from all around the country and many homemade weapons were found that had been manufactured in the metal workshop.