County Bridewell, Halstead, Essex

This house was rented of the trustees of Martin's charity. Men and women had a separate work-room, and a separate lodging-room. There was a room for the sick. All out of repair. A court which men used one part of the day, women another. No water. Keeper's salary, £32: no fees. Allowance, a pound and half of bread, and a quart of small beer, a day. The prisoners did spin, but were not allowed any part of what they earned.—This prison was burnt down in March 1781, and four prisoners perished in the flames. At my last visit, another prison was building on some ground purchased by the county.

Keeper, Oglethorpe Wakelin; now Robert Whinyeates. Salary, 40l. No Fees. Chaplain, Rev. John Houghton. Duty, once a week. Salary, 20l.

Surgeon, Mr. Gilson. Salary, 20l.

Number of Prisoners, 1801, Oct. 17th, 17; 1810, Sept. 24th, 12.

The court-yard of this Prison, 30 feet by 20, and paved with flag-stones, is used by the Men one part of the day, by the Women in the other; and has a pump in it, with a sewer in one corner.

Here is a day-room of 24 feet by 12, and an apartment, boarded, on the ground floor, used as an Infirmary. The five sleeping-rooms, which also have boarded floors, are 14 feet by 7 feet 6 inches, and contain each two barrack bedsteads, with straw-in-sacking beds, one blanket, and a rug. There is a cast-iron sewer in each room; and over every door an iron grating for light and ventilation, with an inside shutter to each grating.

The employment here is to pick oakum; but no Prisoner has any part of his earnings.

The Women's work-room (in which Prayers are read) is 24 feet by 12: Their sleeping-room, of the same size as those for the men, has three barrack-bedsteads, straw-in-sacking beds, a blanket, and a rug. There are four crib-bedsteads with bedding for sick Prisoners.

The Gaol is clean, and white-washed every year. The cells are well ventilated; and it was with pleasure I observed a religious book in each of them.

Site, Construction, &c.

This is a House of Correction for the county of Essex, and is appropriated chiefly to offenders summarily convicted, vagrants, and prisoners under examination. It is an old building on an irregular plan, having been erected in the year 1782. Some alterations were made about five years since. It stands very low, upon the bank of a stream running into the river Colne, and faces the public street of the town of Halstead. It adjoins the Angel public-house, from which one side of the prison can be overlooked. The boundary wall on the side towards the public-house is 10 feet high, but that on the other side towards the meadows is only eight feet high. The inner wall surrounding the wards varies from 12 to 20 feet in height. The prison is very insecure, not merely from the defects of the building, but from the staircases fixed up the sides of the walls, and from privies, &c. being fixed against them externally, the roofs of which form convenient landing-places for a descent. It is also quite easy to get over the boundary walls, and to escape round their abuttals on the side of the rivulet. No less than six prisoners have, in fact, escaped within the last three years, viz.

J. R, F. H., and R. G. — On 17th April, 1834, these three, who were sleeping in one cell in ward No. 4, broke through the wall into the day-room, and from thence got through the window into the yard, and then escaped by scaling the wall. P. H. was never recaptured, R. G. was afterwards taken, and J. P. was taken for another offence.

J. H. (for want of bail), on 25th Sept. 1834, escaped over the low wall in coming round from chapel to his ward No. 7. He was retaken.

J. D. (on charge of felony), on 5th Nov. 1834, escaped from yard No. 4. by climbing the wall from the Staircase, walking along the top, and then descending on the side by the river.

W. G. (on charge of felony), on 11th January, 1837, escaped in the same way from yard No. 7. He was, however, retaken on the 27th, and we found him in custody at Springfield.

The prison is not fire proof and not insured. From its construction there is no central inspection, but the yards Nos. 1, 2, and 3 can be partially seen from the back windows of the Keeper's house, and there are apertures in the walls surrounding the yards, through which they may be looked into from the passages behind. Some of the yards are approached through others, and the internal arrangements are in many respects inconvenient. The yards are eight in number, and contain five day-rooms and 35 sleeping cells. The number is insufficient for constant separation by night, the greatest number at one time in the last three years having been 64. The size of the cells, it will be seen, varies from 7½ feet by 5 to 13½ by 7½, and their height varies from 8 to 10 feet. None of the cells are sufficiently ventilated, and some of them have no ventilation at all but by a hole made through the door. Three sleeping cells in yard No. 2, whose dimensions are only 7½ by 5 feet, and also three cells in No. 3, the dimensions of which are 13 feet by 7½, and of one 7½ by 6 feet, have privies opening into each of them, which cast up an offensive smell, and completely poison the air in so small and close places. The prisoners stated that the smell is at times so bad that they can scarcely bear it and they are constantly, obliged to throw water down for purification. Yet, in these filthy holes, we learned that prisoners had been sleeping three in one cell for more than a fortnight together during the last winter. The drainage is very bad, and the sewer to the river can only be cleansed once a week, when the water has been allowed to run out. The whole prison, and especially the Keeper's house, is affected by damp, arising from the low and marshy soil on which the buildings stand. The site indeed appears ineligible in every respect.

2. Discipline, &c.

The classification is according to the Gaol Act, except that in one ward we found misdemeanants summarily convicted mixed with those committed for acts of vagrancy.

The untried, of whom the proportion is small, are allowed to associate. Prisoners remanded for further examination are, however, often ordered by the Magistrates to be kept separate. We found a boy, on charge of house-breaking, separated, under such circumstances, in ward No. 4. There was no other prisoner in the ward, but the boy was confined entirely to the day-room, it not being deemed safe to allow him to walk in the yard. The boy could not read or write: the solitude for a few days appeared to have made a considerable impression upon him, and he was crying bitterly. There were also two boys convicted of felony confined separately in their cells, and employed at the crank-wheel. One of them (J. E.) was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, and the last month in solitude. Before he was separated he had slept in a cell with two other prisoners. Whilst in separation, he took exercise in the passage, not in the yard; but he was in the habit of going down for his bread, and for other purposes, when he used to talk to other prisoners. He did not attend chapel; had no books whatever; and said that neither the Chaplain. nor Surgeon had visited him since he had been in separation.

The Rules require Silence, but it is in practice very little observed, there being only one Turnkey, who cannot be constantly in the yards; the inspection being imperfect, and the yardsmen not trustworthy. The convicted take their meals in their cells, and sleep separately when the number of cells suffices; but during the past winter they have slept three in a cell in many instances; sometimes in separate beds, and at others two or three in a bed. The testimony of several prisoners examined by us concurs in the fact, that they talk on the wheel; whilst walking the yard; at washing; in going to and from chapel; and from cell to cell. Swearing and bad language are occasionally heard. A yardsman told us, "that a prisoner (D.), who went out the Monday previous, used often to swear and talk indecently; that he was a blackguard sort of a fellow, and used to d—n him (the yardsman) when he spoke to him civilly; that D. was a very quarrelsome fellow, but he (the yardsman) never complained to the Turnkey till after D. was gone." The reason why he did not complain was evidently because he was afraid of the prisoner D. The Silent System may justly be called a farce in such prisons as this. Only twelve prisoners are stated to have been punished for disorderly conduct in the whole of the year 1836, and the frequent necessity of prisoners sleeping together would of course counteract any good effect of silence by day, even if rigidly enforced. On Sundays, the prisoners are locked up the whole day, except during divine service, and half-an-hour for exercise, mornings and evenings. On Saturdays, the treadwheels are stopped at three o'clock in the afternoon, in order that the prisoners may be shaved.

There are treadwheels in two yards. Nos. 2 and 3, and crank-wheels for labour in solitude. The hours of treadwheel labour vary from 7 to 10, and the number of feet of ascent from 8,960 to 12,800, according to the season; being a difference of 30 per cent. Prisoners are also employed as yardsmen, and in cleaning and menial services, and female prisoners in washing and cleaning, in the prison and Keeper's house.

Visitors are admitted at the gales of the yards, or in the Keeper's office, in the presence of the Turnkey, by Magistrates' orders. No list of visitors is kept, but the Keeper supposes that about 20 were admitted in the course of last year. All letters are inspected by the Keeper.

Prisoners for examination, or before trial, if they have money, are allowed to receive it by instalments of 2s. 6d. per week, or to receive provisions from visitors. All money taken away from prisoners on admittance is accounted for on their discharge.

Prisoners have occasionally been detected in using tobacco, but not very lately. It is prohibited by the Rules.

Newspapers do not appear to be introduced, nor any books without the Chaplain's authority.

The prisoners are for the most part very poor; there is no reason to suppose that gambling is practised.

The female ward is distinct from those of the males. The males, however, see the female prisoners as they go in and out of chapel, as the females pass the men's yards. No. 2 and 3, in their way to chapel. But it would be possible for them to go through the Keeper's house to the chapel, so as to avoid being seen by the men. The female ward is never appropriated to the use of males, even though there may be no female prisoners in custody.

3. Religious and other Instruction.

The Chaplain (Rev. G. M. Fowke) resides at Halstead, and has no other clerical duty. He reads daily prayers selected from the Liturgy, and on Sundays performs divine service twice, with one sermon. The hour of his attendance for daily prayers is uncertain, but not later than noon. The Holy Communion is never administered. The Chaplain keeps a journal of attendances — no character book. He goes round the prison once a-week, and converses with and instructs the prisoners as he finds occasion, remaining in the prison for about an hour. On his weekly inspection, he states that he visits the prisoners in solitary confinement. If unavoidably absent, he procures the assistance of another clergyman. A list of prisoners absent from chapel on account of sickness, or solitary confinement, is kept. The Keeper, Turnkey, Matron, usually attend. The prisoners occasionally talk in chapel, the arrangement of the pews being unfavourable for the officers' inspection. The women usually enter chapel after the men, who consequently can see them coming in. The chapel is in the front of the prison, under the same roof as the Keeper's house. It is close, and badly ventilated.

The prisoners are stated to be supplied with Bibles, prayer books, and tracts of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, selected by the Chaplain; but we found that, in more than one instance, prisoners who could read had not had the use of any book at all.

There is no schoolmaster, or systematic instruction; but the Chaplain gives casual instruction in reading to juvenile offenders, and some others. Considering that a prisoner is very rarely confined here for more than three months, and the great majority of them for less than two, it could not be expected that if even there were any regular instruction, any favourable moral effect would in general result from it.

4. Health.

The surgeon resides in Halstead, and attends occasionally, and when sent for, but he does not attend to examine prisoners on admission, before passed into the wards, nor does he regularly visit those in solitary confinement, unless reported sick. Silence is not required in the infirmary. At the time of our visit, there was only one prisoner sick, who had the itch. The proportion of sick to the total number confined in the year to Michaelmas 1836 was:— cases of slight indisposition 8 per cent, infirmary cases 5.44 percent; deaths none. The average number of days during which each invalid remained on the Sick list during the last year was fourteen. The dampness of the building has probably tended to produce ague, several cases of which have occurred, but scurvy has not appeared, the periods of confinement being in general too short to affect the constitution.

The diet is that prescribed by the Provisional Rules, which are publicly affixed in the prison. The cost appears high, being stated at £6 3s. 6d. per head per annum, or 2s. 4½d. per week.

Prisoners before trial, or under examination, receive provisions from friends, or buy to the amount of 2s. 6d. per week. They are allowed to purchase a pint of beer a day. The annual cost of clothing and bedding per head is stated at £1 13s. 6d. There is no prison dress; and the Keeper therefore buys second-hand clothes for such prisoners as require them, which he charges in his accounts. The prisoners sometimes destroy their clothes, and are punished when detected. The bedding appeared to be dirty, and out of order. It is aired in the yards in summer, but not in winter.

The whole of the prisoners' linen is washed within the prison. The rooms and cells are washed as the weather permits — not always daily. The building is lime-washed annually, but it wants painting in several places. It was not particularly clean: the prevalence of damp and the bad state of the drainage were very observable.

5. Prison Punishments.

The only Return of punishments for the last year which we could obtain from the Keeper was as follows:— "The number of punishments from 1st January to 31st December, 1836, was 12, for being disorderly." The punishments consist principally in locking up in dark cells. No prisoner has been whipped during the last year. Whipping, when performed, is in the presence of the surgeon, with a cat-of-nine-tails: the ordinary number of lashes being 24.

6. Officers.

The Governor and Matron are the only resident officers, the Turnkey residing in the town, and sleeping at his own house. He leaves the prison at 8 p.m., and comes in the morning at the time of unlocking.

The Keeper, Mr. George Wright, was appointed in 1827, and is 53 years of age. He states that he is daily in all parts of the prison, and occasionally visits at night. He is obliged to attend the magistrates' petty sessions, sometimes three or four times a week. He keeps a sort of journal, but few occurrences are entered in it.

The Matron is 70 years of age, and appears unfit for active duties. Her labours are, however, not heavy, for in the course of the three years ending 31st December, 1836, the number of female prisoners committed was only 52, and the greatest number at any one time five. At the time of our visit there wore not any female prisoners in custody.

The number of officers is, we think, insufficient for the preservation of discipline, especially considering the want of means of inspection, and the frequent unavoidable absence of the Keeper in attending prisoners.

7. Miscellaneous.

The number in custody at the following dates was:—

The greatest number at any one time in each of the three years to Michaelmas 1836 was:—

And the total number committed in each of those three years was:—

The proportion of recommittals to the number committed in tho year ending Michaelmas 1836 (230) appeal's to have been no less than 50 per cent. The Keeper said that he continually recognised his prisoners as old acquaintances besides those who had previously been confined elsewhere.

The proportion of offenders under the age of 17 upon the whole number confined in the last-mentioned year (257) was 12.45 per cent. The number of juvenile offenders in custody is sometimes 10 or 12; seldom more.

The Usual allowance of 6d. per diem is paid for deserters, but there are rarely any in custody, and scarcely ever any smugglers.

There is at present no visiting justice within seven miles of this prison; but there are four meetings of the visiting justices in the year to pass the accounts: one of the magistrates is stated to look in occasionally.

This House of Correction is only twelve miles distant from that of Colchester, and is one of six Houses of Correction for the County of Essex. The system is so lax, that it is idle to suppose it has any deterring effect, and the bad construction of the building renders it wholly inapplicable to the purpose of separate confinement, and scarcely to that of a rigid discipline of silence. The dampness and insecurity of the prison are also serious evils, and the filthy arrangement of the sleeping-cells, being also privies, deserves strong censure. The prison is improperly situated: either a new building should be erected on a more fit spot in the neighbourhood, or it should be abolished, and the prisoners transferred to some other House of Correction.