WESTMINSTER.

Tothill Fields Prison.

Jan. 1824.

ALTHOUGH this very defective prison has been under presentment for six years, the disgraceful evils so long complained of (the particulars of which have been detailed in the previous Reports of the Society) have not been removed. As the present state of the gaol, in regard to classification, is in direct violation of the statute of 4 Geo. 4, it is expected that the magistrates cannot much longer delay the important duty of altering and improving the prison, so as to render it a proper place of confinement for the large number of offenders committed, annually, from that portion of the metropolis, comprised within the city and liberties of Westminster.

There are only five divisions, (three for males and two for females) for the great variety of persons committed to this prison, as a common gaol and bridewell (including debtors.) But the construction of the buildings is so imperfect, that the different classes have the means of communicating with each other, and the inspection is in like manner very defective. The male felons, tried and untried, old and young, without distinction of crime or character, are placed in the same yard, which has but one small day-room attached. This yard is at the entrance of the prison, and the other prisoners have to pass through it: persons who come to see the prisoners of the other classes, are also admitted into this yard, during the hours of visiting. The second yard is occupied by debtors and persons confined for assaults; the other yard is occupied by male vagrants.

The number of commitments during the last year was 2308; and the greatest number of prisoners at one time, in the year, was 197.

At Michaelmas the following persons were in confinement.

Debtors, males.

females

Misdemeanants, males

females.

Felons, males..

females

Total....

10

2

69

39

19

4

143

In the Parliamentary Return, it is stated that no account has

hitherto been kept of the number of re-committals. In the last year, three deaths occurred. The greatest number of persons, at one time in the sick-wards, was seven; but it is stated that about 900 applications were made to the surgeon during the year, in cases of sickness, of which forty only were admitted into the sick-wards.

COLDBATH FIELDS.

County House of Correction.

July 1824.

The

THE commitments to this prison, for the last year, have been as follows:-males, 3123; females, 1376; total, 4499. numbers of vagrants (included in the foregoing) were-males, 1299; females, 134; total 1433. The number of deaths, during the same period, was 23.

The state of the prison continues much the same as when reported last year. Although there are about sixteen separate yards, yet the classification required by the new Gaol Act is not strictly observed. On the present visit, debtors and criminals were associating together in the same yard; and, on inquiry, it was ascertained that several prisoners of these two classes were in the habit of sleeping in the same rooms, in companies of about twelve each, on barrack beds, having a board about twenty inches high between each individual. The prison contains about 200 separate sleeping cells; but as the number of inmates varies from 400 to 600, a considerable portion of the prisoners sleep two and three in the same cell, (originally intended for one person only) on bedding laid on the floor. This practice, which is highly objectionable, will, it is hoped, be speedily abolished, by the entire appropriation of this house of correction to male offenders.

Most of the day-rooms may now be inspected through loopholes in the walls, covered by a small iron plate, which permits the officer to look in upon the prisoners suddenly, and without their knowledge. This is so much an annoyance to the prisoners, that many of them prefer their cells, without fires, on account of being out of inspection, to the day-rooms, which are properly warmed. Many of the night-cells open into the yards; and, on this visit, several of them were observed to be left open to the prisoners, in the day-time, which is on many accounts very improper. Much advantage would probably arise, if these cells were made to open into the internal passages.

The tread-wheels continue to afford employment to the male and female prisoners. Both descriptions of prisoners are under the constant superintendence of officers of their own sex. No particular accident has occurred to the machinery for the last twelve months, nor has any case arisen of injury from it to prisoners of either sex. The power, arising from the combined labour of upwards of 300 prisoners, remains unapplied to any profitable purpose. Could not the machinery of a corn-mill be set up, and applied to the grinding of flour for the daily consumption of this prison, as well as that of Clerkenwell, including together a population of about 800 persons?

It is highly satisfactory to state, that the magistrates have it in contemplation to erect a separate prison for all female offenders usually confined in the county house of correction; and Designs have been advertised for. A spacious plot of ground is to be appropriated for this purpose, in the rear of the present prison: the erection of a boundary wall, to enclose the same, has already been commenced. The prison is intended to contain 240 women, in six classes; each prisoner is to have a separate sleeping-cell. It has been proposed that the buildings should be on the radiating principle, so as to afford complete inspection over the prisoners, from a central situation, to be occupied by the matron and female officers, who will have the entire superintendence of the women.

CLERKENWELL.

New Prison.

No material alteration has taken place either in the construction or management of this prison, since the publication of the last Report.

The number of commitments during the last year was 4736, and the greatest number of persons in confinement at one time was 288.

This prison, although not very long erected, is most defective in the principle of its construction. There is no inspection into the yards or day-rooms, and the classification is necessarily very imperfect; a circumstance greatly to be deplored, considering the great number and various descriptions of persons annually committed.

MONMOUTHSHIRE.

MONMOUTH.

County Gaol and House of Correction.

July 1824. THREE day-rooms, with airing-courts, have recently been added to this prison, which will now accommodate ten separate classes of prisoners, including debtors.

The chapel is to be altered for a similar division of classes. The chaplain reads prayers, and preaches a sermon in the morning, and reads prayers in the evening on Sundays. He also reads prayers on Wednesdays, and attends the prisoners in their classes on Fridays. Prayers are read every morning by the keeper. Those prisoners who cannot read are instructed by others of the

same class.

A matron has been appointed to superintend the females.

The male prisoners are occasionally employed in breaking stones for the area and the courts, also in whitewashing and cleaning the prison, and digging in the garden. When there are shoemakers and tailors in the gaol, they work at their trades. The females are employed in spinning, washing, and mending the prisoners' clothes.

Prisoners are allowed half their earnings: the other half is reserved as a fund, from which they may be furnished, when discharged, with a few necessaries and a little money.

The amount of earnings, in the year 1823, was £21. 19s. 1d. A hand-mill has been ordered to be put up, and a mill-house to be built. Bread, and twopence per day, is the allowance to each prisoner. The quantity of bread has lately been increased for the males from 1 to 2lbs. and from 1 to 13 lb. for the females.

The general average of re-committals is three per cent., and consists principally of persons on charge of felony.

Irons are only used as a punishment for refractory prisoners. The gaol is more quiet, from the extended classification of the prisoners, who, from their numbers being fewer, appear more disposed to work than when there were many together.

Sixty-three males and twelve females were committed to this prison in the year 1822, on criminal charges; also 39 males, and eleven females, in the year 1823. Crime is on the diminution in

H

this district, employment being of late more readily obtained than it used to be, four or five years ago.

At present there is only one turnkey, but an additional assistant to the keeper has been ordered.

NORFOLK.

NORWICH.

The Castle, County Gaol, and House of Correction.

March 1824.

THE erection of the new county prison has proceeded without any other interruption than what has been occasioned by the seasons. The outward wall is now receiving the battlements. The keeper's house is ready for habitation. The east radiating wing is completed, and also part of the buildings adjoining to it. The north radiating wing is in a very forward state, and will in a few weeks be ready for the roof. The other wing, which, with the old castle, completes the plan, will be covered in, in the course of the year.

The buildings for the tread-mill are not yet ready for the roof, but will be so, in a few weeks. Mr. Bramah is employed in constructing the machinery.

No part of the prison is inhabited; but as soon as the Midsummer sessions are over, prisoners will be received into the buildings which were covered in last autumn, and which, with the old castle, will contain 100 prisoners, allowing a separate cell to each prisoner.

In consequence of a considerable portion of the old gaol having been taken down, no criminals have for some time been 'committed to it, and only a few debtors were confined therein during the last year. No employment is carried on.

The chaplain performs Divine service on Sundays, and reads prayers twice a week. Suitable books are provided for the prisoners.

CONSIDERABLE progress has been made in the erection of the new gaol for this city, which will probably be completed in