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Ancestry UK

County Bridewell, Hinckley, Leicestershire

A County Bridewell, or House of Correction, was in existence in Hinckley (then sometimes spelled 'Hinkley') by 1768. It adjoined the town workhouse on Stockwell Street.

In 1784, John Howard wrote:

This prison has a work-room; a vaulted lodging-room for men; another for women (10 feet by 8). Mats upon bedsteads: no water. Keeper's salary, £4: fees, 25. 6d. no table. He was also master of the work-house adjoining; in which the poor then looked healthy, were cheerful, clean, and at work; but at my last visit, it was far otherwise.

1776, Oct. 30, 1779, March 28, 1782, May 1, No prisoners.

In 1812, James Neild wrote:

Keeper, Joseph Bolesworth, now Richard Nutt; who keeps "The Chicken " Publick House. Salary, 4l. Fees, one shilling.

Prisoners, 1803, Aug. 23d, 1. 1807, July 29th, 3. 1809, Aug. 21st, 0.

Allowance, fourpence per day, in bread.

REMARKS.

This Prison has a work-room, in which are fixed the whipping stocks. Two sleeping-cells, one for the Men, the other for Women; each 10 feet by 8, with two wooden bedsteads in each, loose straw, and a rug. The doors open into a narrow passage. Both these rooms are dark, close, and offensive, being ventilated only by a small iron-grated aperture: damp brick floors. No water accessible to the Prisoners.

The only Prisoner, at my visit in 1803, was a boy in irons, employed in weaving stockings; and the Keeper told me he could earn 18d. a day. I found none of the three in 1807 employed.

The prison and workhouse closed in 1838, and the building was converted to residential us. SOP

Records

Note: many repositories impose a closure period of up to 100 years for records identifying individuals. Before travelling a long distance, always check that the records you want to consult will be available.

  • No individual records identified for this establishment — any information welcome.
  • The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU. Has a wide variety of crime and prison records going back to the 1770s, including calendars of prisoners, prison registers and criminal registers.
  • Find My Past has digitized many of the National Archives' prison records, including prisoner-of-war records, plus a variety of local records including Manchester, York and Plymouth. More information.
  • Prison-related records on Ancestry UK include Prison Commission Records, 1770-1951, and local records from London, Swansea, Gloucesterhire and West Yorkshire. More information.
  • The Genealogist also has a number of National Archives' prison records. More information.

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.