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Ancestry UK

County Bridewell, Ashbourne, Derbyshire

A new House of Correction, or Bridewell, for the County of Derbyshire was erected in 1784 at Back Lane (now Union Street), Ashbourne (also spelled Ashborne in earlier times).

In 1812, James Neild wrote:

This structure was erected in 1784, and stands in Back-Lane. It is a neat square building, and consists of a room on the ground-floor for the Keeper, about 16 feet square, with a fire-place in it ,and two glazed windows. These command the two court-yards, which are 30 feet each by 16 , and have sewers at the farther ends. The wall being only 14 feet high, the court-yards are rather insecure.

Men-prisoners have a day-room, of 17 feet by 9 feet 6 inches, and seven feet high, which opens into their court-yard, and has a fire-place, and an iron-grated and glazed window. Into this room open two sleeping-cells, each 6½ feet long by 5½ feet, and 6½ feet high.

No bedding is here provided; and the straw in lieu of it is furnished by the Keeper: But I observed in the sleeping-cells, not only some loose straw, but two old blankets and a rug.

Above stairs are two rooms for Women-prisoners, with sleeping-cells attached, like those for the men. In one of them was a bedstead, intended for the Keeper: but, as he lives in the town, the more orderly prisoners have the use of it; and either furnish their own bedding, or pay the Keeper for the use of his.

A trap door in the flooring opens into a loathsome dungeon, nine steps down, which is about six feet square, and as many in height; dark and damp, with a bricked floor, but without even straw for bedding. I hope it is never used, and wish it were entirely bricked up.

No water: The Keeper told me he carried it to the Prisoners twice a-day. The whole Prison very dirty. No Rules and Orders. The Act for Preserving Health, and Clauses against Spirituous Liquors, are not hung up.

Gaoler, Thomas Lytton. Salary 25l. out of which he furnishes straw for the Prisoners. Fees, none.

Surgeon, when wanted, is ordered by the Magistrate.

Prisoners, 1802, Oct. 12th. Criminal, 1. Deserters, 2.

Allowance, to each four-pence a-day; but if work is procured, they have the produce of their labour only.

With the opening of new County Gaol and House of Correction at Derby in 1828, the Ashbourne establishment was closed and the building put up for sale.

Records

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Bibliography

  • Prison Oracle - resources those involved in present-day UK prisons.
  • GOV.UK - UK Government's information on sentencing, probation and support for families.

Except where indicated, this page () © Peter Higginbotham. Contents may not be reproduced without permission.