County Bridewell / HM Prison, Shepton Mallet, Somerset

The date over the door, 1625. One day-room for men and women. Men's night-room too close. The women's night-room, 16 feet by 7; the keeper has taken what seems to have been part of it, to make his malt loft. He told me his prison was some years ago so unhealthy, that he buried three or four a week: no infirmary. He is a sheriff's officer. Licence for beer: salary, £25: fees, 14s. 4d. no table. Allowance, two pence a day: no employment. Clauses against spirituous liquors not hung up. This prison is white-washed twice a year. Chaplain, now none.

The court is considerably enlarged, and there are four new cells. The chapel is now made a lodging-room for women. Keeper, a sheriff's officer; his salary £75 in lieu of the tap; many of the prisoners were heated with liquor, and smoking in his room. Prisoners of either sex, who pay the keeper 2s. a week for part of a bed,have the privilege of being in his house. No employment. Allowance 3d. in bread, 1788, July 1, Prisoners 35.

Keeper, Henry Shroll, Sheriff's Officer. Salary, 75l. Fees, 13s.4d.

Chaplain, none. Divine Service never performed.

Surgeon, Mr. W. A. Goldsborough; makes a Bill.

Number of Prisoners, 1801, Dec. 26th, Twenty-six. 1806, Sept. 20th,Twenty-one.

Allowance, sixpenny worth of standard wheaten bread per day; which in 1801 I found to weigh two pounds five ounces the loaf.

REMARKS.

The Keeper's house commands a view of this Bridewell, in every direction. Here are no Debtors.

The Male-Felons have a spacious court-yard, 116 feet by 90; a day-room, 23 feet by 16, and 10 feet high; also three lodging rooms; the first 16 feet square, and 10 feet high; but in which no one slept, it being made a depository of lime and rubbish. The second lodging-room is 24 feet by 12, of the same height as the former, and had eleven bedsteads in it. The third is of the same dimensions as the first, and contained ten bedsteads.

Here are likewise four cells for solitary confinement, each 12 feet by 10, and 8 feet high; in two of which a Man and a Woman were confined. These are sup plied now, by the County, with a wooden crib bedstead, straw-in-sacking bed, and one blanket. ' The bedstead and blanket were added a few years since, (I think at the Easter Sessions in 1801,) in consequence of several Prisoners having suffered fatally from there being none.

In the Women's department is a smaller court-yard, 59 feet by 19; a day-room, 13 feet by 12, and 8 feet high; a sleeping-room, 25 feet by 12, 7 feet 6 inches high, with nine bedsteads, &c. in it, as in the Men's Ward; and two small rooms used as cells, 12 feet by 10, and 8 feet high: and in these are three bedsteads.

The cells above mentioned have all stone-floors, but no fire-places: Their iron-grated windows, that formerly served as ventilators, were stopped up at the time of my visit.

There are two bathing-tubs here, but no oven. The Prisoners wear the County clothing from their first admission. The Male-Felons are washed and shaved once a week; and all have clean linen every week.

Fifteen shillings is allowed to the Keeper, for every Prisoner removed to Wells, four miles off; and the same also, if remanded hither, or conveyed on to the place of trial. At the Sessions in 1801, the number of Prisoners was 93.

Firing, for day-rooms, is allowed by the County, and straw, whenever wanted. Here is no Chapel: nor any Employment provided. The Men and Women, I was informed, are kept distinct perpetually. This is decorous, and indispensably needful. But, it is painful to add, that of the males, young beginners, in error or in vice, and old offenders, are here promiscuously mingled together in perilous association. Unruly Apprentices, with Felons of experience, must surely feel far worse than the mere pressure of personal seclusion from the world at large. Imprisonment is bad enough: But what is this, compared with a daily exposure, amidst evil communications, to principles of depravity, and the horrid, the almost certain chance of infamy, acquired in a receptacle intended for moral reformation!

In the Men's court, were large loose stones lying scattered about, that seemed to call loudly for a removal. The Prison is, in general, very damp; yet no Infirmary for the sick. Water is constantly accessible to the Prisoners. They are all let out, I understand, early in the morning, and locked up again at dusk. The Prison is white-washed at least twice in the year. The Act for Preservation of Health, and Clauses against Spirituous Liquors, are very properly and conspicuously hung up.

This prison, which is now capable of containing about 200 prisoners, has of late years been considerably enlarged; it has, at present, separate departments for about fifteen classes. The ancient part of the prison,containing the governor's apartments and two or three wards, is awkwardly constructed: the accommodations of the governor and officers, as well as the entrance of the prison itself, appear confined and very inconvenient. Two ranges of building, with intermediate yards, comprehending twelve departments, form the new part of the prison. These extensive additions, together with the erection of a large tread-mill building, have been completed, principally, if not entirely, by the employment of the prisoners as bricklayers, masons, carpenters, plumbers, &c.; a quarry of good stone has been opened within the premises, and at the time of this visit a scene of great activity presented itself. The saving to the county in consequence of this very praiseworthy application of prison labour cannot but be considerable, and few prisons in the country present a more striking example in this respect than-the one under notice. The tread-mill building was nearly ready for the reception of the machinery; there are to be six tread-wheels of different sizes, for six separate classes; they are to be erected in stalls or compartments of the building, which will consequently render it necessary to provide as free a circulation of air as possible. On the roof of the mill-house is a wind-vane, which is ingeniously cut out to represent a prisoner on a tread-wheel in the act of working it: as it is operated upon by the wind, the face of the little treading figure turns to the windward! Further improvements yet remain to be completed; the boundary wall will probably be rendered more secure; and an additional department provided for the females. A chapel also is very much wanted: two large sleeping wards (at this time filled with beds) are in use, in which the performance of divine service takes place once a week: in one room the females sit, in the other the males, the chaplain being placed near the doors. This inconvenience must be prejudicial; the attendance of the minister at divine service in the prison is probably on that account limited to the performance of it once only in the week: it should also be stated that it is the practice at this prison to select one prisoner (who can read well) out of each class, to read the morning and evening church service to the prisoners in the wards; Bibles and prayer-books are placed in each department. Most of the yards may be inspected from an elevated sentry-box placed in the centre of the prison; which is used at night by the watchman. The yards were in good order generally; the day-rooms also, and the sleeping-rooms, were very clean and airy; there were from eight to ten beds in each night room. A sick ward is set apart in case of illness, but the prison has no regular infirmary. The dietary is the same as that at Wilton bridewell. The prisoners are not ironed, except in refractory cases. A matron is appointed to attend the females, who are fully employed in washing, making up and mending the prison clothes, &c. There are two regular turnkeys and three assistants. A prison dress is provided to the convicted prisoners. No earnings are now allowed; but on their discharge prisoners have a small sum, according to the distance they have to go, or other circumstances, at the discretion of the magistrates. Boys are frequently committed, and they often return.

The number committed to this prison in 1821 was 616 males and 61 females. In 1822, 766 males and 52 females. In the former year 711 were convicted felons; and in the latter year only30: the increase being upon minor offences.

Construction.—The space which this prison occupies, and the accommodations which it affords, are scanty and deficient in relation to the number of prisoners who are sometimes confined here. At the time of my visit it was most inconveniently and, as far as regards the liabilities to disease, injuriously crowded. The following is the number of

There are besides two washing-rooms and an ironing-room for the use of the female prisoners. There is also a kitchen for the prison, in which a prisoner acts as cook.

The prison can contain 45 prisoners, sleeping in separate cells, and it is said to be capable of containing 255 when more than one prisoner sleeps in a cell. That number would be far too numerous for health and good discipline; but above 300 ave sometimes hero at the same time. On the whole, it is very desirable that some steps should be taken towards the enlargement of the building.

Management.—The complement of officers engaged here consists of the gaoler, the matron, one head turnkey, and 10 individuals who are denominated guards, and who, in fact, perform the functions of turnkeys. At the date of my visit two or three extra guards were engaged on account of the very crowded state of the establishment. The magistrates have not given any order to enjoin silence; but the gaoler preserves it in a slight degree. The prisoners associate in their respective yards and day-rooms. All the wards are patrolled at night by watchmen belonging to the establishment. The numbers admitted here are not on the decrease.

Suicides.—Twelve years ago a man committed suicide by hanging himself; and two years since another effected self-destruction by cutting his throat. These are the only attempts at suicide which the gaoler recollects to have happened during 30 years. During the above period a woman was guilty of child murder within the walls of the prison.

Escapes.—During 30 years no prisoner has made his escape. A year and a-half ago there was one attempt made, which proved unsuccessful.

Punishments.—The prisoners are locked up for three days in a solitary cell. Their allowance is restricted to bread and water daily. When prisoners are sentenced by the court to solitary confinement, they receive the ordinary allowance of food.

Religions and other Instruction.—The chaplain has held this office for 12 years; at present he has no other duties to attend to besides those of the prison. He performs Divine service twice on Sundays, and preaches a sermon at each service. He reads a selection from the Liturgy every morning to the prisoners, which occupies about 20 minutes. On week-days he visits the untried prisoners chiefly, when he takes the opportunity of lecturing and admonishing them upon the particular crimes for which they have entered the prison. The convicted prisoners he visits once a-week. On Sundays he visits the hard-labour prisoners in their wards, when he examines them in the Catechism, and gives them a lecture on certain points of the Catechism. There are a few prisoners here for heavy offences; such prisoners he takes into the chapel, where he converses with them in private. He has no room into which he can conduct the prisoners for the purpose of conference. There is no schoolmaster who receives a salary to instruct the prisoners; the boys are taught by a prisoner; there is no teaching in the other wards, except occasionally. There is not a very large supply of books for the use of the prisoners. The prisoners appear to be attentive to their pastor. The chaplain keeps a journal. His weekly visits are proportioned in number to the greater or less actual amount of prisoners. On Sundays the gaoler is generally present at chapel; the matron and all the turnkeys are also present, except on particular occasions; the same rule is also observed during the service performed on week-days.

Account Books and Registration.—The chaplain’s journal; the visiting magistrates’ book; the surgeon’s journal; occurrence-book; the prisoners’ property-book; the cash-book of the sums paid to the prisoners on their departure; cash-book of general accounts; the general register; the washing-book; the surgeon’s extra-allowance book; turnkey’s book.

Diet.—Dietary now established and in use at Shepton-Mallet Prison, under orders of the Court of Quarter Sessions:—

To prisoners above 14 years of age,

Breakfast: one pound of seconds bread per day, and one pint and half of oatmeal gruel.

Dinner: one pound and half of potatoes, with sufficient salt.

Supper: one pint of oatmeal gruel.

On Sundays,—

Breakfast: one pound or bread per day, one pint and hall of oatmeal gruel.

Dinner: six ounces of meat, one pound of potatoes.

Prisoners under 14 years of age to be allowed,—

Breakfast: three-quarters of a pound of bread per day, one pint of oatmeal gruel.

Dinner: one pound of potatoes, with sufficient salt.

Supper, three-quarters of a pint of oatmeal gruel.

On Sundays,—

Breakfast: Three quarters of a pound of bread, one pint of oatmeal gruel.

For dinner, four ounces of meat (after cooking, and without bone), three quarters of a pound of potatoes.

Punishments.—Number of Punishments for Offences committed within the Prison during the year ending Michaelmas 1836:—

Care of the Sick, Disease, and Mortality.—The surgeon visits the prison daily, and sometimes twice or thrice in the day. The surgeon has been in office 16 years, and the average number of deaths during that time has been four in the year. The prison did not experience any attack of the malignant epidemic cholera. Many cases of influenza have occurred here, but no death ensued from it. Diarrhoea is very common here; and the disposition to diarrhoea is supposed to have existed here ever since the introduction of brown bread. In 1836 three prisoners were recommended for pardon on the ground of extreme illness, and it was accordingly granted. The surgeon examines all male prisoners to ascertain their fitness for tread-wheel labour. A severe case of typhus fever occurred here lately. At the time of my visit, 20th June 1837, I found 15 prisoners in the male infirmary, and 23 suffering under itch. There were two females in the female infirmary. During the last quarter of a year, from the 3d of April to the 20th of June, 76 cases of severe illness have occurred, being the largest amount of the sick recollected in one quarter. There is no insane prisoner in confinement.

Labour.—Hard labour is afforded by the tread-wheels and by breaking stones. The male prisoners are also occupied in carpentry, shoemaking, tailoring, and cleansing. The women are employed in washing and the like.

Suggestions towards Improvement.

1. To appoint an assistant matron.

2. To try white bread for the diet of the prisoners instead of the second quality of bread,

which may, perhaps, be the cause of diarrhoea among the prisoners.

3. To remove the blinds, as a temporary means of bettor ventilation, during the present crowded state of the prison.

4. To enforce silence.

5. A water-closet to be made for the female infirmary.

6. Sheets to be used for the sick prisoners in (he infirmary wards.

7. The ticking of the mattresses requires to be more frequently cleaned.

8. When the prison is much crowded, the day-rooms should be used for sleeping-rooms.

9. More bedding and more bedsteads are required for (he use of (he prisoners.

10. A small room should be set apart for the use of the chaplain, in which he might take the prisoners to converse with them in private; and also another small room should be allotted for the use of the surgeon.

11. It would be advantageous probably to mix occasionally a few onions with the potatoes prepared for the prison diet.

12. As the sick are here sometimes very numerous, it would be very serviceable to devote one turnkey exclusively to the office of attendant on the male infirmary, and of nurse to the sick men; the same individual might also act as surgery-man to the surgeon, and might be subservient also to the chaplain during his interviews with the prisoners.