distant from the widely-extended town of Liverpool, seldom remains a day without a visit from one or more of the members of this Committee; and the handsome manner with which their arduous undertaking has been patronized by the magistrates, is highly honourable to them. A matron resides in the prison, under whom there are five female officers; and upon them devolves the charge of maintaining, with full effect, the system of industry, order, and religious care established among the female prisoners. The influence of the character of those who have thus the oversight of the prisoners, must be of very great importance.

There were, at the time of this visit, about forty juvenile prisoners. A schoolmaster (a prisoner) is appointed to instruct them, as well as other prisoners, from four to six hours a day.

The dietary, which is given in the last year's Report, is expected to be somewhat increased, at the recommendation of the surgeon, for those prisoners who work at the tread-mill.

The average number of prisoners is about 330. The prison contains 384 sleeping-cells. The greatest number of prisoners at one time in the year was 582. The number of persons committed during the year was 1,864, and the number of re-committals 175. The amount of earnings, for the last year, was £962. 6s. of which the taskmaster receives onetwelfth; the felons are allowed one-fourth, the misdemeanants one-half, and the remainder goes to the county stock. The allowance of clothing, for male prisoners, costs 16s. per head, and for females 19s. 6d. The inferior officers, besides those over the females above mentioned, are a deputy governor and four turnkeys.*

spective families and friends. A number of young women, from this prison also, have been placed in the county-refuge, several of whom having conducted themselves well for six months and upwards, obtained situations as servants, and have given great satisfaction to their employers.

There have been three escapes since the prison was inhabited; one of which happened very lately: the man was recovered in a few days, and he thus described the manner in which he effected his escape. He had been employed during the day at the loom, from which he detached one or two pieces of iron, and concealing them about his person, he was shut up for the night in a cell on the third floor from the ground. He contrived to break through the outside wall (under the cell window,) which was nearly two feet and a half thick of brickwork; and having prepared a ladder with his bedding, he let himself down, from a very considerable height, to the pavement below. He then had to make his way through or over the workshop building of two stories; this building being completely screened, by the semicircular range, from the station most to be dreaded, viz. the officers' sleeping lodge in the centre. The prisoner, however, overcame this obstacle without giving alarm;

THIS prison, which is under the jurisdiction of the corporation, provides accommodation for fourteen classes, with day-rooms and airing yards. The buildings radiate from the centre, and the yards are under inspection. It is stated to contain 326 sleeping cells, but the greatest number of prisoners at one time has been only 101. At Michaelmas 1823, there were 80 prisoners in confinement, viz. debtors 54, misdemeanants 22, felons 4; of these nine were females, and 11 were untried prisoners. No employment is provided.

The dietary consists of a quart of water-gruel for breakfast, six ounces of beef for dinner, with a pound and a half of potatoes. On the following day the dinner consists of a quart of broth made from the meat of the preceding day, with suitable ingredients, and also a pound of bread daily. The weekly cost per head is two shillings.

Necessary clothing and bedding are allowed. A surgeon attends daily, and the sick prisoners have separate apartments.

The chaplain performs divine service on Sundays, and reads prayers on Thursdays. Bibles and Testaments are provided.

No prisoners were put in irons during the last year, and no re-committals have taken place, although the number of commitments in the year amounted to 950.

he then made his way, unimpeded, to the court-house, the windows of which look into the prison: these windows being near to the ground, and unprovided with external iron bars, must appear very accessible, from the central area of the prison through which the prisoners pass, and especially on their going to and from chapel. Having entered the court-house by one of the windows, he readily made his way out in front of the building.

It is presumed that the plan of this prison was taken from that of the New Bailey at Manchester, it being exactly similar to the newly-erected buildings in that prison. An escape was effected from that part of the New Bailey a few years ago, in the same manner as in the foregoing instance, although the obstacles were far more formidable to contend with than are to be found in this prison. These instances strongly illustrate the inferiority of designs on the circular plan, in regard to security, compared to those which are on the radiating principle, and which now so generally obtain the preference. • Included in Schedule to Act, 4 Geo. 4, cap. 64.

F

LEICESTERSHIRE.

LEICESTER.

County Gaol.

June 1824.

No alteration has taken place in this prison during the last twelve months, excepting that an additional allowance of seven ounces of bread, and a quarter of a pint of oatmeal daily, has been made to each prisoner.

The classification of this prison is very limited, and the buildings are badly arranged for the purpose of inspection. There are only four classes, having separate day-rooms and yards. There are 22 sleeping-rooms. Seventy-one prisoners have been in confinement at one time. No employment is provided for the male prisoners. The women make up the linen for the use of the prison, and wash and mend.

The chaplain performs service on Sundays, and reads prayers every Wednesday and Friday. The prisoners are supplied with Bibles and prayer-books, but there is no provision for instruction.

The weekly cost of food is 1s. 9d. per head, and that of the clothing and bedding is 1s. 8d.

The number of commitments in the last year was 101, and of recommitments two only.

The officers consist of a keeper, matron, two turnkeys and a night watchman. No irons have been used in the last year. Crime is said to be on the decrease, which is attributed to an increase of employment.

LEICESTER.

County House of Correction.

May 1824.

SINCE the passing of the new Act, arrangements have been made to improve this prison. A second ward is proposed to be added for females, in order to separate young from old offenders.

The prison contains six separate wards, with airing-yards and

work-rooms: the yards are under central inspection. There are only 38 sleeping cells, but as many as 104 prisoners have been confined at one time.

The prisoners have now an extra allowance of three pints of gruel and five ounces of bread daily; and those employed at the tread-wheel, have five ounces of bread, one pint of new milk, and two pints of gruel. In case of longer confinement than six months, although not sentenced to hard labour, a prisoner has milk for breakfast instead of gruel. One hundred weight and a half of coals are allowed for each day-room weekly.

Convicted prisoners are now furnished with a prison dress: their own clothes are marked and put by, and are returned to them on leaving the prison.

A chaplain performs service on Sundays, and reads prayers twice a week. A school-master instructs the prisoners four hours on Sundays, and two hours on every other day, and suitable books. are supplied.

Prisoners before trial are employed in pumping water, and cleaning the prison: the women seam stockings, spin flax, wash and mend, and make up the linen.

The tread-mill is employed to grind wheat, which is sold. The mill also grinds flour for the supply of the prisoners at the county gaol and house of correction, the bread being baked here. A profit of £243. 7s. 5d. was divided in the last year. The gross amount of earnings for the year was £311. 6s. 8d. The county receives the produce of the earnings of those who labour at the tread-wheel. The profits of prisoners who are not sentenced to hard labour, are divided thus: the county receives three-eighths, the governor one-eighth, the prisoner four-eighths. Of the earnings of prisoners sentenced to hard labour, but incapable of working at the tread-wheel, the county receives six-eighths, the governor one-eighth, the prisoner one-eighth. If prisoners are allowed to find their own food, the governor has one-eighth and the prisoner seven-eighths of their earnings.

The prisoners are divided into two classes on the wheel. Twenty prisoners work at a time, consisting of males convicted of felony, grand larceny, petty larceny, and misdemeanants sentenced to hard labour. They are ten minutes on the wheel and five minutes off. The cost of the mill was upwards of £1200.

The surgeon is of opinion that the labour of the tread-wheel is not injurious to the health of the prisoners. A dread of the punishment is thought to operate as a check to the commission of crime.

The number of commitments during the last year was 353,

and of re-committals six. The number of prisoners at Michaelmas 1822, was 73, and at Michaelmas 1823, 53. The officers are a governor, matron, and turnkey.

LEICESTER.

Borough Gaol.

May 1824. Ir is stated that the magistrates have it in contemplation to build a new gaol. The present one is exceedingly defective, having no proper classification, for want of sufficient room. With the exception of the hand corn-mill, no employment is carried on, but prisoners may work at their own trade, for the benefit of their families. Sufficient employment is generally found for the women, for whose superintendence a matron has been appointed.

The description of prisoners who return most freqently are those for minor offences. Crime is stated to be rather on the decrease, which is attributed to the vigilance of the police.

LINCOLNSHIRE.

LINCOLN CASTLE.

County Gaol.

Jan. 1824.

THIS is the common gaol for the three divisions of the county. Additional wards for females have been lately built, and the prison now contains eight wards or divisions. The greatest number of prisoners at one time last year was 43; the number of commitments, during the year, was 71 felons and 90 debtors; the number of re-committals, five.

The prisoners have been latterly much employed in a stone quarry within the Castle-yard, and in the erection of additional buildings. They generally work seven hours in the day. Every prisoner who works has an extra allowance of one pound and a half of beef weekly. Each prisoner is allowed a rug, three blankets, and a straw bed.

The chaplain reads prayers on Wednesday and Friday morn ings, also on Sundays, when he preaches a sermon.

Five