Surrey County Bridewell, Southwark, London
The Surrey County House of Correction, or Bridewell, was established in the late sixteenth century and occupied part of the privately owned and operated White Lion Prison site on Angel Alley (later known as Angel Place) at the east side of Borough High Street, Southwark.
n 1654, the county bought the White Lion premises, together with land known as White Lion Acre, in St George's Fields from the owner, Anne Rich, for just over £600. The properties were then let by the county, with the prison and House of Correction continuing in operation and William Arthur being paid £ 50 a year as keeper.
In 1661, it was reported that a new workroom was needed for the House of Correction as the existing one was too small, dark and badly ventilated, and lacked sanitary facilities. The accommodation in the House of Correction then consisted of one little chamber, two large chambers, which had been reserved to William Arthur, two garrets, two "low large Cellars one of them used for a workehowse" and a little yard. The main occupation provided for the inmates at that time was beating hemp.
In 1772, with the existing building in need of major repairs, it was decided to remove the House of Correction to new, purpose-built premises at White Lion Acre in St George's Fields, Southwark, between Great Suffolk Street and the present-day Glasshill Street. John Millner was responsible for the building which was completed early in 1773.
The establishment was described in 1792 by John Howard:
Separate wards and courts for men and women. In the men's ward, two rooms, and a work-shop (about 20 feet square) below and three rooms above: in one of these were beds at 2s. 6d. a week. The women's ward had below, one room, and a work-shop (about 20 feet square) and three rooms above: in one of them beds at 2s. 6d. a week. There was a separate room for faulty apprentices. All the rooms were planked. Window shutters, and iron bars: no glass. There was no infirmary. In March 1776, 1 raw several sick on the floors: the county allows no bedding nor straw. In April, only one sick, on a bed which he paid for. In December, a woman sick on the floor. The rooms were dirty: in two or three of them were fowls. Prisoners allowance, three halfpence a day in bread (weight Dec. 1776, and Aug. 1779, 17oz.). No firing. The fines or convicts were with the other prisoners, and had the same allowance. They all were entirely without employment. Keeper a Sheriff's officer: salary, £25: licence for beer and wine. The clauses against Spirituous liquors, and the act for preserving the health of prisoners, were both hung up.
1776, March 14 | Prisoners 25 |
1776, April 30 | 24 |
1776, Dec. 25 | 29 |
1779, Aug. 9 | 44 |
Of the twenty-nine prisoners in Dec. 1776, were, four women sentenced for ten years, one woman for three years, three men for three years, four men for two years, three men for one year.
In 1792, Howard added:
This prison was burnt by the rioters in 1780, and (as appears by the inscription in front) rebuilt in 1781. It is nearly on the same plan. In the men's court there are. now added four rooms, planked round (9 feet 8 inches by 54. feet, and 7 feet 4 inches high), very proper for the separation of the drunken and riotous. In each of the workrooms (so called) there is a chimney. There are now two rooms for faulty apprentices. No bath.— Bread allowance, weight, Dec. 1782, 13 oz. Aug. 1783, 14oz. and Oct. 29th 14oz. Keeper now no licence. At my late visits the prison was very dirty, and the prisoners still without employment. At night they are. crowded into one or two rooms, as all the upper rooms are kept for the few that can pay for beds. — I released a young man for his fees (4s. 2d.). The clauses against spirituous liquors, and teh act for preserving the health of prisoners, and the table of fees not hung up.
1782, Dec. 16 | Prisoners 17 |
1783, Aug. 22 | 32 |
1782, Oct. 29 | 37 |
The site is shown on the 1792 map below.
In 1791, it was decided to erect a new County Gaol and House of Correction at a site in Horsemonger Lane (now Harper Road), Southwark. The St George's Fields House of Correction was then closed. The building was subsequently used as a soap manufactory. Vodafone's Speechmark building now covers the site.
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.
- The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU. Has a few records relating to the establishment.
- 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
- Higginbotham, Peter The Prison Cookbook: A History of the English Prison and its Food (2010, The History Press)
- Brodie, A. Behind Bars - The Hidden Architecture of England's Prisons (2000, English Heritage)
- Brodie, A., Croom, J. & Davies, J.O. English Prisons: An Architectural History (2002, English Heritage)
- Harding, C., Hines, B., Ireland, R., Rawlings, P. Imprisonment in England and Wales (1985, Croom Helm)
- McConville, Sean A History of English Prison Administration: Volume I 1750-1877 (1981, Routledge & Kegan Paul)
- Morris, N. and Rothman, D.G. (eds.) The Oxfod History of the Prison (1997, OUP)
- Pugh R.B. Imprisonment in Medieval England (1968, CUP)
Links
- 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.