The term ‘Nonce’ is said to have originated in the corridors of HMP Wakefield, also known as Monster Mansion. This prison is notorious for housing some of the most heinous criminals, including convicted child sex offenders and serial killers, all classified as Category A prisoners.
Among those who have served or are currently serving time there include ‘Hannibal the Cannibal’ Robert Maudsley, ‘Britain’s worst rapist’ Reynhard Sinaga and ‘Dr. Death’ Dr Harold Shipman, according to Yorkshire Live. The British slang word for paedophile, ‘nonce’, was reportedly coined within the walls of Wakefield prison, stemming from an acronym used by the staff.
The TV programme HMP Wakefield: Evil Behind Bars revealed that the acronym N. O. N. C. E. was marked on the cell card of any prisoner who might be at risk of violence from other inmates, indicating that their cell doors should not be opened when other prisoners were out. According to the documentary, NONCE stands for ‘not on normal courtyard exercise’ or ‘non-communal exercise’, and was first used in this context within the Yorkshire jail, reports Yorkshire Live.
This claim is supported by other online sources, lending credibility to the prison’s assertion of being the birthplace of the term. The phrase’s origins are documented in Urban Dictionary, and InsideTime, a digital and printed monthly newspaper for inmates, also confirms that it came from Wakefield prison. Twitter users expressed their surprise at this revelation.
@KCleobury tweeted: “So the word NONCE originated from Wakefield, makes you so proud. #Wakefield.”
Another user, @UKCNUT, said: “So Nonce stands for not on normal courtyard exercise , you learn something new everyday #Channel4 HMP Wakefield ; Evil behind Bars.”
@super_leeds70 also commented: “Wakefield Prison programme on C5 now and this popped up! Who knew! ! “.