County Bridewell, Southwell, Nottinghamshire

This is also used as a prison for those manors in this county which belong to the archbishop of York.

In front of the court, is a room on the ground floor, in which were two men; one of them sentenced for three years, the other for seven: and a damp dungeon down 10 steps, 14 feet square and 7½ feet high; the window 2 feet 10 inches, by only 8 inches.—The date on this part is 1656.—In the back court is a new building with two rooms on the ground-floor, and two above: one of the latter is an infirmary. The rooms are about 15 feet by 12, and have chimneys, but no firing is allowed by the county. No pump in this court: for the women, a court might be made out of the keeper's garden. Clauses of act against spirituous liquors not hung up. Apothecary, Mr. Hutchinson; he makes a bill. Allowance, three-halfpennyworth of bread. A three-penny loaf weighed 1lb. 5½oz. at my first visit; at my second, 2lb.; at my third, of good household bread, 2lb. 11 oz.; at my last visit, the three-halfpenny loaf weighed 12 oz. Some of the prisoners were making shoemaker's pegs at three halfpence a thousand (the keeper sells them for three-pence); and some spinning flax; half the earning is the keeper's. Here was committed a shoemaker for twelve months, with an order (highly improper) that he should not work at his own trade. Keeper's salary, £45: fees, 3s. 6d. no table: but now there is painted on a board over the keeper's door, "The fees of this place is, three shillings and six-pence N. B. None is exempt from paying but common vagrants. " He informed me that a few years ago, seven died here of the gaol-fever within two years.

On a stone tablet over the door is this inscription; "This house was built in the year 1656; and the new addition with the walls in 1787." There is now the old dungeon, a day-room, and court for felons, and several rooms and courts for the separation of the prisoners of different denominations, and also of the sexes; and very properly three cells for the refractory. Water in all the courts. The prisoners were unemployed. Allowance three halfpennyworth of bread; weight 1lb. Keeper's salary £45. Fees 3s.6d.

1788, Aug. 6, Prisoners 11.

Gaoler, William Adams, salary 110l. Fees abolished. For the conveyance of prisoners to Nottingham: 7s. 6d. each, and to Redford 1l 1s. and to Newark 4s. 6d. and the same sum each if brought back to the respective places. Chaplain, none, or any religions attentions whatever. Surgeon, Mr. Hutchinson, salary none, makes a bill. Allowance one pound of bread and one penny in money per day.

Remarks — The situation, a little way out of the town, was advantageously chosen, upon a gradual eminence commanding a free circulation of air. The entrance is in the centre of the front wall, and faces Burgage Green: a passage, five feet wide, leads to the Keeper's house. On the left of the entrance is his coal house and kitchen, the window of which looks through the iron grating of a door on the opposite side of the passage, and opens into the male felons' court, which is 30 feet 6 inches by 23 feet 8 inches; it has a flagged floor, a pump, and a sewer; at the upper end is the felons day-room, 17 feet 9 by 16 feet 6 inches, with a fire-place, and iron-grated window. In the floor of this room is a trap-door, on opening which you descend, by ten steps, into a loathsome hole, or dungeon, 13 feet by 10 and 7 feet 3 inches high, with three wooden bedsteads, on which lay some short dirty straw, and pieces, or bits, of dirty ragged rugs. The only ventilation or glimmering light this miserable place receives is through an iron-grating, 2 feet 10 inches by only eight inches, and level with it the Courts in this damp and loathsome dungeon seven of the prisoners, heavily ironed, sleep every night; one of them told me that when the trap door. was lifted up, in a cold morning, the steam which issued out was like the smoke of a chimney. What must the miserable wretches confined every night in such a putrid hot-bed of disease suffer! I represented to the Keeper, (I wish I could add with effect), that it was unfit for any human being, during the hours of sleep; and, as there was plenty of room in the prison, he was not justified in the use of it, but expressly forbid by the statute 14 Geo. III. Behind the Gaoler’s kitchen is the court-yard, for males committed for petty offences, 31 feet by 28, with a room, 18 feet 6 by 16 feet 6; it contains three wooden bedsteads, two of them for four persons each, and the other for two; this is, likewise, their day-room, in which they eat and drink, and sleep, and, in bad weather, must be in the whole day; the Keeper's parlour commands this court. Vagrants have a court-yard, 25 feet by 18, with a day and sleeping-room, 24 feet by 20, for male vagrants; and another, of the same dimensions, above it for females. A door in the wall of the vagrants’ court opens into that for female felons, which is 28 feet 3 inches by 18 feet 6. By a flight of stone steps you ascend into the sleeping-room belonging to the prisoners of this class; it is 18 feet 6 inches by 16 feet 6, and contains two wooden bedsteads for three. persons each; the floor of this room is plaster, and immediately over one which is appropriated to petty offenders. There is a passage which leads to the cell-yard, which has in it a pump, and lead cistern; and, very improperly, three solitary cells for the refractory, each about 10 feet by 8 and Q feet high, with a wood bedstead, and small iron-grating over each door, through which those in solitary confinement are enabled to fee and converse with the female felons, in their, chambers, or on the steps. At the farther end of the vagrants’ court a door opens into that for faulty servants, or apprentices, which, is 24 feet by 20, with two apartments, one above the other, the lower for males with two beds for three persons each, the upper for females with one bedstead for three persons, and each of them 20 feet by 18, The iron-grated window looks into the court-yard which is common to all. In this court are two solitary cells, similar to those near the female felons yard, and at the extremity is a door into a small garden, containing about a rood of land. A court for the women might be made out of this garden, No infirmary, bath, or oven.

No rules and orders, Neither the Act for preservation of health or Clauses against spirituous liquors hung up. Some of the prisoners were employed by the Keeper in cutting pegs at two pence a thousand, which he sells at four pence a thousand, On a stone tablet over the door is this inscription:

"This house was built in the year 1656, and the new addition, with the walls, in 1737,"

Prisoners, 4th Oct. 1805, twelve men, two women.

This prison is so remarkably bad in its construction, that it is with difficulty I can describe it, so as to be understood. It is in a very dilapidated and insecure state, and instead of promoting morals, or health, is the very bane of both. Nothing can exceed the squalid wretchedness, filth, and severity, which are every where presented.

Keeper, James Nicholson.

Salary, 100l. out of which, at his option, he either pays the Turnkey 20l. a year, or maintains him.

Chaplain, Rev. Richard Barrow. Salary, 20l.

Duty, every Sunday, Christmas Day, and Good Friday.

Surgeon, Mr. Hutchinson; who makes a Bill.

Number of Prisoners,  Men.  Women.

1809, 1st September,  21   5.

Allowance, a loaf of 18 ounces good wheaten bread; and one penny, daily, in money, to each.

REMARKS

The old Prison being pulled down, the present House of Correction was opened for the Reception of Prisoners on the 24th of June, 1808.

The whole building, with its several court-yards and areas, occupy about three quarters of an acre of ground. The boundary wall is a regular octagon, 69 yards in diameter, and 17 feet high; with several courses of loose bricks laid on the top, to prevent escapes. The entrance is through the Turnkey's lodge, which has a low window, calculated for the purpose of general inspection. On the left is a room 14 feet by 11, with a capacious stone bath for the Prisoners; a conduit for spring water, and a pump for soft; a copper to warm the bath, and for washing; and an oven for purifying infected or foul clothes, &c.

On the right, leading to the first story, are two reception-cells for Prisoners, till they have been examined, or for those who arrive in the night; one of them 11 feet by 7, with a fire-place; the other 8 feet square. Also a bed-room for the Turnkey, 14 feet by 11; and under the stair-case a water-closet.

There is a passage through the lodge, leading to a walk flagged with stone, 10 feet wide, and a garden border on each side, about 12 feet wide; with a grass-plat, used for drying linen, similar in size to the other court-yards of the Prison.

The Keeper's house is an irregular octagon, and leads to a hall, which has an opening to the four doors belonging to as many rooms on the ground-floor. Of these, the first on the right is assigned to the Magistrates, and on the left, to the Gaoler. The others behind lead to the kitchen and scullery.

From the centre of the hall below, a circular staircase leads to the chamber story; in which is the Chapel, containing ten separate pews, four for the Keeper's family, and six for the Prisoners; who are so placed as to be seen by the Clergyman, the Keeper and his Turnkey, but not visible to each other.

The attick story is divided into bed-rooms for the servants, and store-rooms for depositing the various articles supplied by the County for Prison use.

The Prison consists of three wings, which adjoin to the Keeper's house, and are perfectly similar.

The first, or North Wing, contains two wards; the former of which is assigned to Female Convicts, and has a day-room 13 feet square, opening into the court-yard; with a work-room of the same dimensions, in which, as a laundry, the Prisoners' linen is dried and ironed after washing. From these a passage 12 feet 2 inches long, and 3½ feet wide, opens to a solitary cell on the left, of 8 feet by 6; with a watercloset, &c. under the stair-case.

A lobby, or passage of 41 feet 8, and 3 feet 6 inches wide, opens upon the left to a solitary-cell of 8 feet by 6; with a moveable shutter to the window, for air and light occasionally. Also two cells of the same size, and a double cell, 13 feet by 8, for sick or infirm Prisoners, having two beds in each cell, and a fire-place.

At the extremity of the above passage, a door opens upon a bridge of excellent contrivance; by means of which the Prisoners enter the Chapel within the Keeper's house; and also, on the right hand, to a door leading to the Ward No. 2. This is appropriated to Male Petty Offenders, and its chamber-story and cells are exactly like those of No. 1. A descending stair-case on the right hand leads back to the Keeper's house. The two wards of this wing are separated from each other by a brick partition wall, 14 inches thick; and each ward consists of a day-room, a working-room, and one cell on the ground-floor, 9 feet 6 inches high; also three solitary sleeping-rooms, and a double cell on the chamber-floor, each 8 feet 6 inches in height. All the passages and cells are arched, and well-ventilated, both by flues on the roofs, and grates in the floors.

In the West Wing, the ward No. 3, is for Male-Felons of the first class, and No. 4, for those of the second.

Ward No. 5, in the South Wing, is appropriated to Male Petty Offenders of the second class, and No. 6, for Females of the same description.

To every ward is attached a suitable court-yard, 50 feet long, by from 36 down to 10 feet wide, in consequence of the octagon construction of the building. Each court-yard has a stone seat, and stone washing bason: and the ends of them, next to, and farthest from the Keeper's house, are secured by iron palisades, 8 feet high; through which his window commands a complete view of the Prison, whilst the Prisoners are prevented from seeing each other by wooden palings in different places across the Keeper's area; yet so, as that they are always visible to him, though he himself is unseen by them.

The wall of each wing forms the boundary of the respective courts on one side; and a brick wall on the other side, 9 feet high, separates each court from that next adjoining.

A forcing pump, in the court of the ward No. 4, supplies water for the Keeper's house, the Prisoners, and the water-closets; and proper drains and cess-pools are so well constructed and disposed, as to carry off every thing offensive. To the Keeper's house is attached an excellent garden, of near half an acre, for the growth of vegetables.

The work and day-rooms are all fitted up with grates, small side-ovens, and other accommodations for frugal cookery; a cupboard and shelf for each Prisoner; pegs for hats, a to well, pair of scales, and a quarter of a peck measure. Here is also fixed up an Abstract of Rules, with a Table of Prices for every article of diet: the latter is revised every Monday, and the purveyor is prohibited from demanding any other price than as specified in the Keeper's Table.

Each cell has an iron bedstead, screwed on bearers, with a straw-in-ticking case, two sheets, two blankets, and a rug; and every cell door has in it an Inspecting wicket.

Although, amongst the number here confined, some have been under Sentence of Death, and reprieved, no Fetters are ever used; nor is the general deportment of such Prisoners apparently different from that of other members of a numerous family, unless that they are more silent, tractable, and industrious. No noise is heard, save that of their implements of labour; and no punishment inflicted, except that of confining the refractory offender, without employment, in a solitary cell; which, in a case of enormous offence, is totally darkened, by a shutter so constructed as to admit air, while it excludes light.

The means of inspection in this house are such, as render it difficult, if not impracticable, to offend without detection. A violation of the Rules, however comparatively slight, is never passed by with impunity. The Prisoner is ordered into a single cell, and denied the Privilege with the Emolument of Working. Thus the certainty of a small punishment prevents the demand of severity; the irregular are rendered obedient, because they perceive that their superiors are as firmly bound as themselves by the Rules of the House; and thus, convinced that nothing is imposed merely to enhance their sufferings, but to reclaim their minds, they submit with a complacency, that wears more the appearance of gratitude, than of terror or moroseness.

No Dietary is here established; but every one purchases daily, out of the maintenance money allowed him, such articles of food, as come within the line of general regulations.

Southwell is not a place of Trade or Manufactory. The sources of Prison-Employment are therefore derived from a Cotton-Mill, about four miles off; and from Nottingham, the County Town, distant 14 miles from the Prison. The work done is for the wholesale traders, who furnish the machinery and implements at a settled rent, and the goods are weekly delivered at their warehouses. A profitable system is thus pursued, both without the need of a capital, and unexposed to the hazard of loss, or the fear of disappointment.

From the 24th of June, 1808, to the 24th of June, 1809, the total nett profit from the labour of 147 Prisoners employed £261 14s. 4¾d. This exceeded the whole Expence of maintaining all the Prisoners in Custody, by £29 10s. 0½d.

The prison contains eleven separate wards and eleven airing yards; thirty-four work-cells and sixty-eight sleeping cells. There are also four work-rooms, in which the tread wheels are placed. In the centre of the prison there is a cooking-house and an inspection-room. In the entrance building are two reception cells, with a stove-room, bath, and pump, for cleaning the prisoners on admission.

Male prisoners, committed to hard labour, are employed upon the tread-wheels, and are allowed one penny each daily. Male prisoners not sentenced to hard labour are employed at frame-work knitting, breaking flax, tailoring, shoemaking, and gardening : they receive half the amount of their earnings. Female prisoners are employed in spinning, making and mending the county clothing, washing, and cooking, under the direction of a matron.

The opinion of the visiting justices is expressed decidedly in favour of the tread-wheel labour, and of the beneficial effects which it produces upon the discipline of the prison, by increasing the measure of punishment, without in any respect proving injurious to the health of the prisoners. It is stated that the number of prisoners has lately decreased very considerably.

The dietary consists of a loaf of coarse wheaten bread, weighing 131b. for males,and 13lb. for females; also one pint of new milk every morning, one pint of oatmeal gruel at noon, and one pint of oatmeal gruel in the evening, and a quarter of an ounce of salt daily to each prisoner. The weekly cost per head is 2s. 9d.

Four wards in the penitentiary department have been raised from two to three stories in height, by which means forty additional sleeping-cells are provided. Several of the prisoners have been employed in the alteration of the buildings. Prisoners sentenced to hard labour work at the tread-mill; and various other employments are carried on. The hours of labour are eight daily. The dietary is, for men 1¾lb. of bread; and for women 1¼lb.; also a pint of new milk every morning, a pint of oatmeal gruel at noon, and a pint of gruel in the evening; with ¼oz. of salt daily.

This prison stands at the northern extremity of the town of Southwell. The area inclosed by the boundary wall is polygonal. The gateway, with lodges on each side, fronts the public road. The lodges contain, on the ground floor, a bath and fumigating room and turnkey’s parlour; above, 1 chamber and 2 reception-cells, very deficient in ventilation. The interior buildings consist of 2 prisons distinct from each other, and erected at different times and varying in their principle of construction. The house of correction was originally a central building with 3 detached wings, 2 parallel to its front and 1 in its rear. This accommodation being found wholly inadequate, a very considerable enlargement was made in the year 1827, by the erection, at the back of the old prison, of an extensive semicircular range of 3 stories, with 5 airing yards in front radiating from a central inspecting tower. A passage is carried through the back of the semicircular range in the basement and in the front of the airing yards, connecting the 2 horns of the semicircle. The roof of this passage or subway in front forms a terrace, and commands a complete view of the yards from its top, while the interior is made use of as a refectory where the prisoners assemble to take their meals. The central tower contains apartments for turnkeys and the general kitchen. The new buildings in their basement contain working rooms, cells for the refractory, and convenient washing places for the prisoners in winter. Their first floor is occupied by a double range of sleeping cells. In the centre of the second or attic is the chapel. The prisoners sit there on benches and are overlooked by the officers. who are above them in a sort of pulpit placed against the walls. The only separation of the prisoners there is that of the sexes. The cells are all arched and paved with York stone. The space between the wings in the old prison is divided into airing yards, with the exception of that in front of the keeper’s house which faces the gate. In this part of the building are lodged the females and the sick of both sexes. The prison is generally well ventilated. Water is supplied by pumping it into reservoirs placed in the roofs of the new part. The water-closets are self-acting. The airing yards are not paved.

Dimensions—Reception Cells in Lodge.

No. 1.—9 ft. by 7 ft.
No. 2.—12 ft. by 8 ft.
Single sleeping cells—8 ft. by 6 ft.
Cells where more than 1 sleep—14 ft. by 8 ft.
Infirmaries—14 ft. by 8 ft.

Diet.—Males. 1 pint of milk with 2 pints of gruel made from a quarter of a 1b. of oatmeal, and l¾lb. of bread of the quality called "thirds." Females, half a lb. of bread less. Wardsmen and prisoners at framework labour receive 2½oz. of meat and broth. Women at labour, tea and sugar and broth in addition. Prisoners before trial are allowed to purchase half a lb. of meal, 1 lb. of vegetables. 1 lb. of bread, 1 quart of milk.

Bedding.—Iron bedsteads, palliasse, pillow, sheets, 3 blankets, and rug.

Clothing.—No gaol dress nor clothing, except in cases of urgent necessity.

Fuel.—Three divisions in the ground floor of the new prison are warmed by hot air. The two large rooms where the Prisoners assemble who are not sentenced to hard labour are heated by stoves, and the rooms in the old buildings by fire-places.

Cleanliness.—The prison clean. A great obstacle to the bodily health and cleanliness is the want of prison clothing.

Health.—The surgeon attends daily, and oftener when required by illness. He sees the prisoners before they are classed, but is not present at corporal punishments. The prison is very healthy. The silence discipline as enforced, has had no effect upon the health. Some prisoners with the present diet go on very well from three to six months, but very few after that period without extra food. It is not found to affect stockeners or vagrants so much as the agricultural labourer. The surgeon states "the diet is sufficient for the period alluded to, but not longer: very few prisoners, but who, after six months, have either been in the sick list, or made wardsmen, to enable them to receive extra allowance. I have known prisoners come in with the itch, and after being cured, and resuming their clothes, it has broken out upon them again. I am decidedly of opinion that it would be better if they received gaol clothing." The surgeon's journal contains entries under the following heads: When received; Names of Officers: Observations. A book is also kept, in which the surgeon inserts his orders for extra food.

Moral and Religious Instruction.—The chaplain performs two full services, with sermons on the Sabbath and reads a selection from the Liturgy every morning throughout the year. He says, "I have not, except in cases of sickness, administered the Sacrament lately; I used to do it. but got disgusted at the conduct of the prisoners. I found the worst of characters used to seek it for the purpose of obtaining some favour of me. I take the keys and go about the prison and see the prisoners. From what I have seen, I do not think solitary confinement works any reformation upon practised thieves. I form the boys into classes: they are in a ward by themselves, under the superintendence of a wardsman. From the paucity of officers, the prisoner are frequently left in the sole charge of a wardsman. The tracts and books are under my superintendence. I have witnessed the prisoners in chapel, without shoes or stockings. There is no regular system of instruction. The prisoners not for labour, read to each other during the day. Upon an average, two-thirds of the prisoners know how to read. Our discipline is very much improved, especially as preventing contamination. There appears to be a general desire for instruction among the prisoners. They are provided with elementary books. The great sources of crime here are the beer-shops, and the consequent intoxication."

The chaplain’s journal contains simply the entries of his visits.

Labour.—The tread-wheels are placed in buildings of two-stories. The inspection of the upper one is attended with some difficulty. There are partitions for separate labour.

A few of the prisoners are employed in frame work-knitting. There are five frames in separate rooms, which are let to the prison at a weekly rent of 1s. 6d. for a fine, and 1s. 3d. for a coarse one, the lessor engaging to take all the produce at a certain rate below the market price. This work is entirely confined to the convicted prisoners, who receive the extra allowance as wardsmen, and the earnings, averaging about 35l. annually, are credited to the county. The prisoners engaged in this work, upon my questioning them, said they preferred the frames to the tread-wheel for the additional allowance, and as being less irksome. They must move about at the wheels, and they can stop working at the frames. The taskmaster says, "It would be impossible to teach the prisoners this work with any success; the knitters generally serve an apprenticeship of seven years, and no man could learn in less than two. The females wash for the prisoners and the keeper, and are employed in seaming the stockings and drawers manufactured by the males, and in spinning when wool can be procured."

General Discipline,—The silence system in a limited, degree is. enforced in this establishment, and from the statement of the officers and the prisoners themselves, there can be no doubt but the discipline of the .prison is in a greatly improved condition. The taskmaster says, "The prison is greatly improved, the noise and cursing and swearing used to be terrible. In former times, the stockeners used to come, and did not mind it; they would carry away as much as 30s. after a three months’ sojourn, and I have known 14l. or 15l. paid in a morning: they did not care for it." A turnkey says, "The prison is much improved; the old ones who have been before say they do not like it near so well." The keeper says, "^The fines are much readier paid under the new system than before." The following are copies of letters from prisoners to their friends on the first introduction of the system, and before they were restricted from writing:—

Dear Wife,  Southwell House of Correction, September 4th, 1836.
I should like, to know whether you mean to get me out of this place or not, and if not, you must send me some things to shift me in. I would rather pay. ten shillings a-week than stop in prison, for we are not allowed to speak to each other. If you can get me out, you must go to Worksop overseers, and get a note from them, and send it as early as possible.

Sir,  Southwell House of Correction, September 5th, 1835.
You will please to tell John Greaves master John Calidine, that I hope he will fetch me out of this doleful place as soon as you possible can, and I will pay your expenses, and pay you for the time I have been away from you if you will fetch me out.

Dear Father and Mother,  Southwell Prison, December 31st, 1835.
I take the oppertunity of addressing you with a few lines oping that you are In good Helth as it leaves me at present cosidoring my uhappy situation. I little thaught when I came to this place As it ad been a sitch a place for punishment as thear is nothink but hungrey looks and starved gaws and doalsom walls and sowmettle bars to be seen all around me. I ope you will be so kind to pay the money as soon as you possable can at the prison door as I can receve my former liberty.
So I must coclude your Unfortinate son.

pleas cum to night without fail for my Bed is sitch a bad one that I shall be starved to Deth before morning.
 

Further evidence of the satisfactory working of the silence system is afforded by the annexed return, showing a considerable decrease in the numbers.

A RETURN of the Number of Prisoners in the House of Correction on the 5th day of March, for the last Six Years, marking the Year when the system of Silence was first introduced.

I am quite satisfied that a great improvement has taken place in the discipline of this prison; and I am no less certain that a great deal more remains to be done before that perfection is attained of which the system is capable. The prisoners are left too often uncontrolled by day, without the presence of paid officers, and wholly so at night, there being no watchmen employed. One of the Turnkey’s states, in evidence,—"We have not officers to superintend the prisoners properly: it is impossible to keep strict silence in the way we are. We have not the officers to do it. They talk on Sundays when together, and at other times. They can talk with ease from cell to cell. Only the last week I detected four in different cells talking to each other, and abusing the chaplain, saying they should like to serve him out." Another says, "They talk to each other greatly of a night; in the garden we hear them frequently." A regular schoolmaster is much wanted. The employment of a prisoner as the agent for the inculcation of moral and religious instruction appears to me its indefensible in principle as it is worthless in practice. The silence discipline is but very imperfectly enforced if without the grateful and salutary intermittents administered through the chaplain and schoolmaster. I think, with a matron and under-matron in the prison, something more might be expected in the way of instructing the females. The matron, in evidence, says, "It is a month since the chaplain visited the female wards. There is no regular period for his doing so. The prisoners express no desire for his visits or instruction. I read to them sometimes, perhaps once a fortnight, not oftener." Frame-work knitters sentenced to hard labour are put to their own work, for which they receive an extra allowance of food. I look upon this employment, as they do themselves, much less onerous than the mill, and can see no just reason why they should enjoy the privilege of extra provisions when the men on the mill do not. It is the practice to appoint as wardsmen men who are failing in health, to keep down the expense of extra diet. The conduct of these men is the same as in other prisons. I am of opinion that a general increase in the quality of the dietary, after six months, would be preferable.

Occasionally some of the prisoners work in the garden, and have been detected carrying on communication with the women while so at work, and in sending letters through the iron railings. The lodge-keeper says, "The prisoners on coming in may have communication with the bath-man." The other lodge-man assists in cleaning the keeper’s house, shoes, and other domestic offices. He is in and out of the house in the morning to fetch the things. The cooks and the prisoners at the lodges do not go to bed quite so early as the other prisoners. I see no reason whatever for these two prisoners being kept at the lodge; and I much question whether the pecuniary benefit, if any, arising to the county from the baking of the bread in the prison compensates for the injurious effects upon the discipline, by the withdrawal of three men from its operation, and the knowledge afforded the criminal population that alleviating offices of this kind are still to be obtained. The airing-yards and wards for female prisoners are too much exposed: the windows oft he cells should have blinds, and the railings of the yards be boarded up. The officers all speak of the inconvenience. The lodge-keeper, who resides opposite, says, "Nothing can be transacted in front without the women knowing; they are always at the windows after locking. Men working in the gardens have been caught several times talking to them, and giving notes through the iron railings." I recommend that the surgeon should be present at corporal punishments. I regard the want of gaol clothing and linen as one of the principal deficiencies of this establishment, of the latter article there are no more than 20 shirts for males, and four shifts for females, in the prison. In the surgeon’s evidence, under the head of Health, it will be seen that the itch has been re-communicated to prisoners by resuming their own clothes after being cured. In addition, the matron says, " The female prisoners are not supplied with clothing. I have found great inconvenience from it. They have to remain undressed while their clothes are being purified; and many of their things are anything but improved by passing through the oven. They are at times scarcely decent to go to chapel. Four or five at chapel without shoes yesterday, when the inspector was present." A turnkey further says, "Several times we have found money and tobacco in the prison, which we have overlooked. It would be much better if there was a prison dress."

Solitary confinement, by sentence, is enforced by placing the prisoners in the ordinary sleeping-cells, and removing the bed and bedding during the day. They are allowed exercise in the mornings, and attend divine service on the Sabbath. A box is kept at the gate for the reception of charitable donations, which are laid out in soup and potatoes for the prisoners on Christmas-day.

Keeper.—Age 36. Appointed 1834. Salary 200l. Married. Coals, washing, and garden.

Matron.—Appointed 1836. Salary 60l. Coals, candles, and washing.

Under-Matron.—Appointed 1835. Salary 31l. 10s. Washing, coals, and candles.

Taskmaster.—Age 40. Appointed 1834. Salary 60l. Coals and candles. Resides in the prison. Read and write.

Turnkey.—Age 25. Appointed 1824. Salary 52l. Resides in the prison.

Lodge Keeper.—Age 31. Appointed I826. Salary 52l. Coals and candles. Resides in prison. Read and write.

Chaplain.—Appointed 1830. Salary 130l. Vicar choral of the Collegiate Church, Southwell; vicar of Upton, two miles distant from Southwell. Resides a quarter of a mile from the prison.

Surgeon.—Appointed 1829. Salary l30l., for attendance and medicines.

Note.—Since the Inspector’s visit an additional turnkey has been appointed, whose particular charge is to superintend the prisoners not sentenced to hard labour. A night watchman has also been added to the establishment.