County Bridewell, Middlewich, Cheshire

This Prison has been lately much improved by the addition of a Work-room; a little Room at the end of it, which they call a Shop; and some Chambers over them. At one side of the Work-room is a strong brick Bench against the wall, long enough for several to sit on: and fronting the fire-place is another strong brick Seat, almost a semi-circle. Two of the old Rooms have now a window in each: the other have only perforations in the doors. I found at my last visit all the Prisoners, but two employed in picking Oakum; the other two were Shoe-makers, working at their own trade. The Yard is enlarged from the Keeper's Garden, and flagged with broad stones, which are very convenient, not only for cleanliness &c. but particularly for drying the Oakum. The Partition between this and the Garden , is a brick wall about one third of the height, and the rest strong palisades with tenter-hooks. This is a judicious contrivance for keeping the Yard and House airy and healthy.

1774, Nov. 8, Prisoners 3,
1776, Sep. 14, 9.

There are further improvements in this prison. The men's court enlarged, and a current of water: separation of the sexes: six cells added for solitary confinement (eight feet two inches by five feet) with courts (fifteen feet by seven): the prisoners in them should not be in irons. A chapel. Allowance to each prisoner 6 lb. of bread a week, and nearly all their earnings. Keeper's salary £75.

1788, Aug. 1, Prisoners 24.

Gaoler, William Harrison; now Samuel Whitaker.
Salary, 150l. Fees, none.

Chaplain, Rev. George Leigh.
Duty, Sermon on Sunday; Prayers on Wednesday, and Friday. Salary, 25/.

Surgeons, Messrs. Beckett and Son. They make a Bill.

Number of Prisoners, 1801, Nov. 20th, 21. 1805, Oct. 13th, 26.

Allowance, six pounds of best wheaten bread, sent from the Baker's in loaves of that weight every Thursday; and one sixth of the value in bread to be given each week in potatoes. Also 18/. per annum in coals, amongst the Prisoners, which in 1805 would purchase 29 tons.

The entrance to this Prison is from a narrow street, called Dog-Lane; and the small court in front, about 64 feet by 21, is well flagged with broad stones.

The Keeper's house is placed in the centre of the area, between the court-yards No. 1, and 2; having a window pointing to each yard, by which means he commands a full view, not only of all the Male Prisoners, but also of the cells, and of the Women's court-yard. No. 4, which is destined for old offenders.

I shall here describe them in their order.

No. I. On the North-West side of the Keeper's house is a yard for Male Prisoners, about 47 feet by 40, well flagged, on an inclined plane; in which are two working or day-rooms, with fire-places and glazed windows, and in one of them are four looms for the Prisoners to work at. Over these are two sleeping-rooms, with iron bedsteads, straw -in-sacking, a bolster, and three blankets, the upper one brown. In the centre of the yard is a pump, supplied from a spring.

No. II. On the South-East side of the Keeper's house is another yard, likewise for Male Prisoners, of 72 feet by 36; with three sleeping-rooms on the ground floor, which is paved with flag stone, and furnished with oaken barrack bedsteads, raised about 2 feet from the floor, and with loose straw, and four blankets for two persons. Each room is well ventilated by an iron grating, about 2 feet square, with inside shutters, and adapted to contain nine Prisoners. Over these sleeping-rooms is the Infirmary, lofty and airy, with opposite windows, for giving a free circulation.

At the upper end of the yard, near the Keeper's house, is a day or work-room, about 30 feet by 21; at the bottom of which is a Shop, or Store-room; and above these a lodging-room, for such Prisoners as are allowed a bed; and for which they pay two shillings per week each.

At the lower end of the same yard is an apartment, formerly used as the Chapel, but now a work-room; over which is a laundry for the Keeper's domestick use. There is also in this yard a leaden cistern, which is not only too small, but frequently without water in dry weather; and a pump near it, supplied, from a well of excellent water in Dog-Lane.

This last-mentioned yard is, about two thirds of it, partitioned off by a brick wall 7 feet high, with cast-metal palisades 9 feet long; at the top of which are iron spikes, projecting about 3 feet inwards. This is a judicious and well-executed contrivance, for keeping the court-yard and house both airy and healthy. The other part of the fence is of brick, 15 feet high, coped with stone, and surmounted with iron spikes.

No. III. On the other side of the last-mentioned yard are six solitary cells, with a well-flagged court, 43 feet by 21, and an excellent bath, lined with lead, 6" feet in length, 3 feet 6 inches wide, and 5 feet deep, supplied from the cistern. Each cell has a small area, of 15 feet by 7, and is itself 7 feet 10 by 6 feet 8, and 8 feet high; lined with strong oak planks 2 inches thick; and, by the same means, each bedstead is raised 18 inches from the floor.

No. IV. At the upper end of the court, and adjoining Nos. 2 and 3, is a yard for female veteran offenders, about 56 feet long by 18, with a day or work-room, 24 feet by 18; at the end of which is a Dungeon, or sleeping-cell, on the ground floor, with an iron-grated window and inside shutter. This contains three bedsteads, and will, upon occasion, accommodate nine Prisoners. Over these are three rooms, generally occupied by sick Women, with fire-places and glazed windows. In the court are a pump and sewer.

No. V. On the South side of the Prison is a court-yard for Women, 6l feet by 44, and a large working or day-room, over which are two sleeping-rooms with glazed windows; and in the centre of the court a pump, supplied with spring water by pipes, or wooden layers.

At the end of this court-yard is the Chapel, of about 14 feet by 22; with a gallery for the Women, very neat and airy. The Men sit at the bottom of the Chapel on forms or benches; but the sexes are not out of sight of each other during Divine Service,

The Chapel is likewise made use of at the Petty Sessions for the Hundred of Northwich.

The Employment of the Prisoners consists of weaving, shoemaking, picking of oakum, batting cotton, and spinning jersey; and all of them, who formerly had but one third, have now one half of their earnings; and the other half is accounted for to the County.

When a Prisoner comes in ragged and dirty, he is stripped, and undergoes ablution in the bath; the County clothing is then put on, his own clothes washed, boiled in alum and water, mended, and laid by for him till he goes out.

The whole Prison is whitewashed at least twice a year; the sleeping and dayrooms, oftener; and good water is accessible at all times. Every part of the building is consequently very clean: Scales and weights are provided by the County; and I found the loaves supplied to the Prison of full weight.

All the court-yards here are well paved with flag-stone; and being on an inclined plane, soon become dry after wet weather, and are easily kept clean.

The humane and very attentive Constable of Chester Castle was for many years the Keeper of this Gaol. His faithful conduct, at length, has raised him to the important trust which he now meritoriously discharges, as an excellent example to his successors. Its influence here remains. The present Keeper of this County Bridewell is both intelligent and active, and appears in all respects well calculated for his situation.

Every attention is here paid by the considerate Magistrates, which the sorrows and sufferings of wholesome confinement can require.

The average number of annual commitments to this Gaol appears to have been, From 1785 to 1795, 137.