County Bridewell, Huntingdon, Huntingdonshire

A new prison in a low situation, though a rising ground is at the back of it. Here are two work-rooms and two bed-rooms, with a court for each sex; but no night-rooms for solitary confinement. The bed-rooms are too low, only seven feet nine inches.

1788, Aug. 8, Prisoners 2.

Gaoler, William Nichols. Salary, 28l. from the County, and 2l. from the Borough.

Chaplain, (a new appointment since my visit in 1807,) the Rev. Daniel Williams.
Duty, Prayers and Sermon every Wednesday. Salary, 10l.

Surgeon, Mr. Desborough.

Number of Prisoners, 31st Aug. 1807, Fourteen. 30th Aug. 1810, Twelve.

Allowance, 1s. 6d. per week; and half their earnings.

This Prison would have been better situated on the rising ground at the back of it. The site on which it is built was the gift of his Grace the Duke of Manchester. At the edge of the Common its situation is low.

Here are four court-yards; two of them spacious and airy, and well supplied with water.

On the ground-floor are four work-rooms; two for men, the others for women. Also a day-room, or kitchen; and fire-places to each room.

Above stairs are eight sleeping-rooms, four of each for Men and Women, with straw-in-sacking to sleep on, which is furnished by the Keeper: and two dark rooms, set apart for the solitary confinement of two Prisoners in each.

No Infirmary, or other room appropriated to the sick.

The employment here consists in beating hemp, dressing flax, and spinning; and is furnished by the Keeper, who receives one half of the Prisoners' earnings.

No Rules and Orders. Neither the Act for Preserving Health, nor the Clauses against Spirituous Liquors, hung up. The Prison is clean.

Though comparatively a modern building, and encircled with a wall 18 feet high, the Bridewell like the Gaol, is an insecure and incomplete Prison. It is situated in the N. W. outskirts of the town, in a retired, but unfortunately low and damp situation, and is calculated to contain 48 prisoners. The average number, however, is 18. There are 10 Wards; 1 day-room and 1 airing yard for males and the same for females. The airing yards are spacious and open. The greatest number ever confined here at one time was 32. In August 1823, a Tread Mill made by Medlock, St. Neots, was established here, and has, we are informed by Mr. Bowker, the Keeper, been attended with the most beneficial effects. Out of 149 prisoners committed last year, two only have been re turned. The irksome and monotonous labour of the Mill is said to create the strongest disgust in the minds of the prisoners, and by bringing the bitter fruits of crime so "closely home to their business and bosoms, "must operate in deterring them from a renewal of their former offences. All harshness and severity in prisons cannot be too strongly deprecated, or too speedily removed; but there seems to be no foundation for the exceptions taken by some thin-skinned sensitive gentlemen against the discipline of the Tread Mill. If it be found to deter men from the commission of crime, and continues to be conducive to the health of the prisoners, these effusions of a spurious and sickly philanthropy must be disregarded by all "Men of the world, who know the world like men." No means of classification are practicable. The weekly allowance for each prisoner is 10½lb. of bread, 3 quarts of soup, ½peck of potatoes and ½lb. of salt.