County Bridewell, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

This house, given, as I was informed, to the county for a bridewell, was built in 1614. For men, a room or cellar 17 feet square under the keeper's house; down 8 steps; but level with the ground behind it: provision generally put through a hole in the floor, 6 inches square. A room for women up stairs. No straw. Nothing allowed by the county for conveyance to quarter actions. Keeper's salary, now £30. No fees: no allowance: no employment. Clauses against spirituous liquors not hung up. A court is now made from one of the keeper's gardens; and there is a cellar for the women, of the same dimensions as that for the men, in which I saw a sick object. committed for bastardy.

Keeper, Daniel Glossop, a Cabinet-Maker. Salary, 30l. Fees, 28. Garnish, 1s. for Coals.

Chaplain, none; nor any religious attentions.

Surgeon, Mr. John Cartledge.

Number of Prisoners, 1805, Oct. 11th, Four. The average number annually confined here is Twelve.

Allowance, a four-penny loaf per day each; except when they work, so as to supply themselves from their earnings.

This Bridewell, by the date in front, appears to have been built in 1614. It has three court-yards, one for the Men, and one for Women, of 45 feet by 15 each: the third a small one for the Women also, of 10 yards by 5,with a room in it about 12 feet square, in which I found a woman employed in stocking weaving.

Here are likewise two day rooms- with fire-places, 15 feet square. The Men Prisoners have one sleeping-cell upon the ground-floor, and two others above, each about 12 feet square; also a dark cell, of 9 feet square, set apart for Solitary Confinement. Half a guinea per annum is allowed for coals, to heat flues for warming the cells.

The Women-Prisoners both sleep and work in their day-room, where spinning wheels are provided for them by the County; and whatever they earn is their own. They have wooden bedsteads, with loose straw, two blankets, and a rug each.

The Gaol is well supplied with water, to which all the Prisoners have access.

A room in the Keeper's House was appropriated to two French Prisoners in October 1805. Its size, 14 feet by 12, with fire-place,furniture,featherbed ,&c.

The Act for Preservation of Health, and Clauses against the use of Spirituous Liquors, not hung up.