County Bridewell, Swaffham, Norfolk

Three rooms below; one of which, a lodging-room for men, is too close (10 feet 9 inches by 7 feet 9 inches): a work-room, 17 feet by 15, but no employment: and four rooms above. Court enlarged, now 28 feet square, but no pump. A window in the keeper's kitchen which overlooked the court is improperly stopped up: the prisoners are confined to their rooms. Keeper's salary, £16; and twenty shillings a year for straw. Clauses against spirituous liquors hung up: licence for beer. Surgeon, Mr. Say: he makes a bill.

Keeper, David Raven.

Salary, 70l. and one-fourth part of the Prisoners' earnings. No Fees.

Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Chapman; now Rev. Wm. Johnson Yonge. Salary, 30l.

Duty, Prayers three times a week, and Sermon on Sundays.

Surgeon, Mr. Law; now Mr. Ross; who makes a Bill.

Number of Prisoners,

1805, Sept. 2d, Seventeen. 1810, Sept. 5th, Seventeen.

Allowance, on Sunday, two pounds and two ounces of bread, with ox-cheek and soup for dinner.

Monday, two pounds two ounces of bread.

Tuesday, one pound and one ounce of bread, with a quart of pease-soup.

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the same as on Tuesday.

REMARKS.

The Keeper's house fronts the Street, having behind it a court-yard 60 feet square, with a well in the centre, and two sewers and other conveniences on one side, The Keeper's rooms have a full view of the Prison in every part.

On the ground-floor of one side is a lobby, 42 feet long and 4 feet wide, into which open five cells; and at the end of the lobby is a small neat Chapel, of 18 feet by 12. The upper-story also has five cells; and at the end of the lobby is a work room, of the same size as the Chapel.

The opposite side of the building has the like number of cells, opening into lobbies of the same dimensions with those before described, and also two end rooms set apart for Infirmaries. Each of the cells is 12 feet long by 7, with arched roof, and 9 feet 6 inches high; fitted up with crib bedsteads, straw-in-sacking, two sheets, two blankets, and a rug. They have spinning-wheels in them, and hemp-blocks; and are lighted and ventilated by an iron-grated window, 28 inches square, with inside shutter, and a small aperture in each door, for the convenience of the Keeper. The Rules and Orders are printed and hung up; but neither the Act for Preserving Health, nor the Clauses against Spirituous Liquors.

Those committed to hard labour have no part of their earnings. Those for Assaults, Bastardy, and Poaching, have one half. The average of annual Earnings is about forty pounds.

Employment, beating and dressing hemp, and spinning. The Prison very clean, and whitewashed once a year.

This Divisional County Gaol is situated in London-street, at the extremity of the Market Town of Swaffham, twenty-eight miles from Norwich. Its original form was three sides of a square, comprising two wings for prisoners, and a house for the Keeper in the centre. In the year 1821, from the necessity of obtaining further accommodation, the simplicity of this plan was destroyed by the enclosure of a considerable plot in its rear, and the erection of a stack of cells in the centre of the area, with two airing yards, and tread-wheels at the further extremities.

The space now enclosed and occupied is an irregular oblong. The modern buildings are very inconveniently distant from the Keepers apartments for any real inspection; and the four airing yards, being only divided from each other by open iron palisades, seem rather to invite than to impede communication between the prisoners.

The Keeper's house, which was built since the alteration of the prison at an expense of 1,000l., without calculating the labour of the prisoners who were employed upon it, contains on the Ground Floor:—Parlour, office, kitchen and washhouse. First Floor:—Five bed-rooms. Also out-houses, stabling, and small garden.

The Cells in the Old Prison are 12 feet 3 inches by 7 feet 2 inches, and 9 feet 6 inches in height.

The Cells in the New Prison, 9 feet by 6 feet, and 9 feet 6 inches in height.

Solitary Cell, No. 1:—Four feet 3 inches by 6 feet 2 inches, and 9 feet 3 inches high. Dark and imperfectly ventilated.

Solitary Cell, No. 2:—Four feet 4 inches by 6 feet 2 inches, and 9 feet 3 inches high. Dark and imperfect in ventilation.7

Solitary Cell, No. 3:—Ten feet 2 inches by 5 feet 9 inches, and 9 feet 3 inches high.

These cells so closely adjoin each other, that with more than one prisoner the confinement cannot with propriety be termed solitary; and their want of ventilation renders them inconvenient for any period of imprisonment exceeding twelve hours. The cells are arched; the floors are of brick or stone, and the staircases of oak. The airing yards are not paved.

The Chapel abuts beyond the external walls of the prison; its roof is of lath and plaster. The tread-mill sheds likewise abut in a similar way, and seem to offer great facilities for escapes. There is about a quarter of an acre of ground in rear of the prison, the property of the County, which is unoccupied.

Diet.—Convicted prisoners, when committed for seven days, are allowed 2 lb. of bread per day; and when for more than seven days, and less than three months, 1½ and when for more than three months, and less than six, 2 lbs.; and when for six months, 2½ lbs. of bread and ¼ lb. of butter per week. But on their re-committal for less than six months, only 1½ lb; for six months, 2 lb.; and for more than six months, 2 £lbs. per day. Also those committed for six months are allowed to purchase milk, if their first imprisonment.

Boys committed for short periods, 1 lb. of bread per day. For less than six months, 1½ lb.; and for six months, 2 lbs. Prisoners for trial are allowed 2 lbs. of bread per day, and a i lb. of butter per week; and are permitted to purchase milk, &c. The price of bread is is 9d. per stone, of 17 lbs. 5 ounces, to be delivered in penny loaves.

Observations:—The Chaplain states, that Prisoners have complained of the insufficiency of the diet, and he has mentioned it to the Magistrates, who referred him to the Surgeon. The principal turnkey states, he has heard them complain of the spareness of the diet, and they have asked him if they could not have a whole loaf. He has told them all he could do was to speak to the Governor, which he did frequently. The men for long sentences, and the untried, have their water heated, in which they sop their bread; the men for terms under six months applied for it, but were refused. The long term men have it not in summer, and it was granted them on application about a fortnight ago. There are ten of the prisoners now purchasing milk, and many more would do so if they had the means. The water is of very indifferent quality, which is the case generally in the neighbourhood; the well is 176 feet deep, and during the late drought they were obliged to send four miles to obtain water for the prison.

Clothing.—The prisoners are clothed in the usual prison dress. Fuel—No fuel, nor means of warming the cells.

Bedding.—The bedsteads are of wood; the bedding consists of a rush mat, two blankets, and rug.

Observations:—Upon going round the prison at night, I found it to be the practice, that when there are three prisoners in one cell, two bedsteads are placed together for them to sleep in, and that the quantity of bedding allotted for two is in such cases issued to three. The cells in the New Prison are certainly small, but I apprehend there would be but little difficulty in placing three separate bedsteads in each.

The Day Rooms being no longer occupied, there is no allowance of coals, nor are there any means of warming the cells. The turnkey states, that the prisoners frequently complain of the cold in the cells; and I cannot but think, considering the number of hours that prisoners are here confined in them, particularly the untried, that some warming apparatus is necessary.

Cleanliness.—The persons of the prisoners and the prison clean: the washing of the prisoners' linen is done by themselves, and, as is always the case by men, very imperfectly.

Health.—The Surgeon states, that he has not inserted the diseases of the prisoners in his journal until within the last few days, not having understood it to be required; that scarlatina and low fevers are the usual diseases, but that scorbutic complaints prevail to a very considerable extent. A case of inflammatory disease is very rare. The lowness of the diet, he is quite certain, induces to the scurvy, and is the cause of it; and any change in it would be beneficial. The prisoners frequently lose their teeth from the effects of the scurvy, and, being unacquainted with its symptoms, they do not usually complain until the disease has made considerable progress. Has observed appearances of general debility among the prisoners. He has not mentioned it to the Magistrates.

The reason he has not mentioned it is, from his having the means of altering the diet in cases when they come before him. He considers that the diet is generally below the standard of health, and that, if it were improved, the frequent breaking in upon the prison allowance, by ordering porter, &c., would be avoided.

Observations:—The expense incurred for extraordinary diet, ordered by the Surgeon, from Midsummer 1834 to the same period in 1835, was 261. 12s. 5d., while the whole sum charged for their yearly food, was only 171l. 11s. 9d. The average number of prisoners being 42. Upon hearing the Surgeon's statement, I requested the Keeper to call in the two prisoners who were in the list as suffering from scurvy. They were examined by the Surgeon, and he pointed out the symptoms, consisting of spongy gums, &c. I then requested that the entire of the prisoners might be examined by him, in my presence, and sixteen prisoners were declared to have incipient symptoms of scurvy, which, if not checked, would very shortly assume a decided character.

I immediately called the attention of the Visiting Magistrates to this important subject, and acquainted them with the opinion of the Surgeon; and I understand that they have since made an order, of which the following is a copy.:—

Moral and Religious Instruction.—The duties performed by the Chaplain are, on Sundays, at half-past nine in the morning, and half-past two in the afternoon. On every other day in the week, nine o'clock in the morning. Sundays, the morning and, evening players, one sermon, and a lecture on a chapter in the New Testament. On other days a selection from the prayers is read, and the prisoners are catechized and instructed. The instruction of the prisoners, which is in reading only, is carried on in the chapel, and always in the presence of the Chaplain.

The Chaplain does not recollect but one instance of his being treated with disrespect by a prisoner. He has reason to believe that he enjoys their perfect confidence as a minister of the Gospel. They look upon him as their friend, and their complaints are made through him. He has found some of them in a frame of mind proper to administer the Sacrament, which has been done in the chapel. It has occurred that ill-disposed prisoners have interfered to prevent the others from paying attention to his advice and receiving his instruction. Has not the least doubt his ministry would be advanced by the entire separation of the prisoners.

The result of his experience is, that if prisoners are young, that is to say under 25, they may be taught to read in about six months; if above 30, the task becomes difficult. He does not attempt to teach those whose sentences of imprisonment are for less than two months. He considers it would be very disadvantageous, and productive of evil, if the prisoners were taught to write; the reading ought first to be made the means of a thorough grounding in religion and morals, and the term of any confinement is not of sufficient duration to proceed further with satisfactory results. Prisoners, whether belonging to the Church of England or Dissenters, are alike ignorant, and, although able to read, are quite ignorant of the first principles of the Christian religion. He has never found this to be the case with a Catholic, who, whether able to read or not, has been able to give an explanation of the Sacraments. The books from which the prisoners are taught are all from the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; and none are admitted into the prison without his sanction. The prisoners are almost invariably of the agricultural classes; the principal sources of crime in the neighbourhood, he considers to be poaching, want of employment, improvident marriages, the labourer having ceased to be an inmate of the farmer's house, and the gross ignorance of the people.

Though the discipline of the prison is much more severe than formerly, there is no diminution in the number of prisoners.

The prisoners, shortly after coming into the prison, are examined privately by the Chaplain as to their connexions, habits, knowledge, &c., and an account is kept by him of every prisoner, of which the following are extracts:—

"1834.—April 10th. Thomas Ward, waterman, resides at Lynn; is 21 years of age, and unmarried; convicted of fowl-stealing, and sentenced to 12 calendar months' imprisonment. Could read and write when he first entered the Bridewell, but was ignorant of his religious duties. During his confinement he learned the Lord's Prayer, the Belief, the Church Catechism, a morning and evening prayer proper for prisoners; all the Sections in Grossman's Introduction to the Knowledge of the Christian Religion, and 37 pages of the Faith and Duty of a Christian. (No. 17. on the Catalogue of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.) Is seldom able to go to church: has been confirmed. Never received parochial relief.

"1835.—March 28th. John Fox, horse-breaker, resides at Reepham, but belongs to Ospher. Attends the Baptist chapel; is 19 years of age, and unmarried; convicted of stealing an ass, and sentenced to six calendar months' imprisonment; can neither read nor write, has never been confirmed; has received parochial relief; could repeat the Lord's Prayer when lie entered the prison, but not the Belief, which he has learned during his confinement; was ignorant of his religious duties.

"March 28th. William Balls, agricultural labourer, resides at Wormegay; is 10 years of age, and unmarried; has been confirmed; has received parochial relief; convicted of fowl-stealing, and sentenced to six calendar months' imprisonment. Could repeat the Lord's Prayer and the Belief when he entered the prison, but could neither read nor write, and was ignorant of his religious duties. Learned to read during his confinement. He also learned the Church Catechism.

"August 12th. Henry Howard, agricultural labourer, resides at Marham; married at 21; has received parochial relief; was three calendar months in Aylsham prison, about 20 years since, for stealing flour. Is 37 years of age; could repeat the Lord's Prayer and the Belief when he entered the prison. Has not been confirmed; could neither read nor write, and was ignorant of his religious duties. Sentenced to three calendar months' imprisonment for leaving his family."

The state of the chapel, from its extreme cold, is such as not only to indispose the prisoners from receiving the Chaplain's instructions, but also to diminish his personal efficiency. The Keeper says that the chapel is so cold, that he has known the prisoners to be there almost in a state of ague.

One of the turnkeys states that the prisoners, on one occasion, all rose and declared the cold was such they would not stop. The felons and misdemeanants were prominent on this occasion.

Prisoners have frequently left the chapel and refused to attend to the Chaplain's instruction on account of the extreme cold.

Classification.—The prescribed classification is followed as far as the arrangement of the prison will admit.

Labour.—The prisoners are employed at the tread-wheel, shoe-making, tailoring, washing, and in the repairs of the interior of the prison.

Observations:—There is no effective inspection over the men at the mill. The labour is considered by the prisoners as an alleviation of their punishment, particularly in the winter. The Keeper states that it is his opinion that the mill does no good, nor can it, unless there was a watch constantly over the prisoners on it.

The first turnkey says, I never knew a man sentenced to imprisonment without hard labour, but has asked to go upon the mill, which they have been allowed to do. In the summer he thinks the prisoners shirk the tread-mill and go to the Chaplain for instruction, the heat is so extreme on the mill: most of them work without shoes or stockings, and would take off their shirts, as he recollects one man did.

The mill sheds are Very imperfectly ventilated, and there is no inspection of the men except from the interior of the mill, where, the miller says, there is talking, but, from the noise of the machinery, it is quite impossible to detect the individual.

Offences and Punishments.—The usual offences in the prison are rioting and disorderly conduct at the mill, punished by confinement in the solitary ceil, and the stoppage of half-a-pound of bread.

Scourge for Boys.—Handle 20½ inches of whalebone, nine lashes of common whipcord, 14½ inches each in length, with three single knots in each.

Scourge for Men.—Handle 21½ inches of whalebone, nine lashes of common whipcord, 20½-inches each in length, and from six to nine knots in each lash. The Keeper inflicts the punishment himself. The number of lashes is never specified. The sentence runs, "to be whipped until his back be bloody." The number of lashes in his experience is only three or four, laid on very sharply, and never more than twenty. No medical man attends.

Observations:—The Keeper considers it necessary that there should be the power to inflict corporal punishment, although it is but seldom requisite to resort to it. The punishment he has been in the habit of inflicting, has been so slight as not to require the presence of a medical man.

Irons.— Double irons, used in conveying convicts, 4 lbs. 3 ounces; used in conveying men to trial, 2 lbs. 6 ounces.

Visits and Letters.—No convicted prisoners are permitted to receive visits, who are not sentenced for six months, and then only once in three months, by orders from the committing Magistrates.

Untried prisoners may be visited by an order from the committing Magistrate.

The writing of letters is subject to the same rule.

Benefactions.—On Christmas-day the Magistrates subscribe, and the turnkey goes round to the inhabitants, and collects a sufficient sum to provide the prisoners a dinner of beef, plum pudding, and a pint of beer.

Accounts, Expenditure, Books.—The only accounts kept by the Gaoler, are those for sundries, and of the monies received by him for grinding grist at the mill.

Books.—Register. Arranged under the following heads:—Number; Name; Age; When Committed; Sentence; By whom Committed; Employment; When Discharged. The description of each prisoner is written on the back of his commitment, also his trade, and if he can read and write.

Keeper's Journal.—The name of every prisoner inserted upon committal, the daily number of prisoners in custody; punishments inflicted by the Keeper for prison offences.

Visiting Magistrates' Book. — The attendance of the Magistrates, though frequent, is not regularly inserted; the last bears the date of 1st August 1835.

Mill Book.—Daily entry of the species of wheat ground, the quality, the quantity, and the amount received.

Bread Book.—A daily account of the quantity of bread each prisoner is entitled to receive.

Turnkey's Book.—List of articles in each prisoner's possession on committal.

General Discipline.—The treatment of the prisoners has lately been increased in severity, and apparently with little effect, for both committals and re-committals show an increase on the year.

All classes of prisoners take their meals in their cells, and remain in them-, except at labour or exercise.

The untried, and those not sentenced to hard labour, are considerably worse off than those on the wheel: they are only allowed to be half an hour in the airing yard, in the morning, and the same time in the evening, for exercise, which I consider quite insufficient, the cells not being warmed.

The Keeper goes round the prison every night at nine, and the clothes worn by the prisoners in the day-time are taken from the inside of the cells, and placed in the passage outside, to prevent their sleeping in them.

The Keeper states that he considers solitary confinement and short sentences would be very much more effective than the present system: he often requests the Magistrates to send them for a short, instead of a long period; the first impressions made by a prison are almost always of a serious nature, but habit and association, which must take place, soon drive away reflection.

The prison invariably fills as soon as the harvest is got in and work ceases.

Officers of the Prison.—Keeper, aged 39 years; married $ appointed January 1822. Salary, 200l. a year: receives also a fourth of the earnings of the-treadmill, which averages about 6l. a year. He is allowed 10l. a year for making and mending the prisoners' linen, and washing the Chaplain's surplices. Also 4l. a year for shaving prisoners; and coals, candles and soap.

Observations:—I cannot understand why, under the name of Taskmaster, the Keeper is permitted to receive one-fourth of the earnings of the mill. The 10l. a year allowed for mending and making the prisoners' linen, &c. seems enormous, and the 4l. for shaving prisoners, who are permitted to perform this operation themselves, is likewise of very questionable propriety. The Keeper, in explanation of the latter charge, states the allowance to be for furnishing razors, &c.

Chaplain.—Aged 57; appointed 1824. Salary, 200l. per year.

Surgeon.—Appointed above thirty years. Salary, 60l., for medicines and attendance.

First Turnkey.—Aged fifty years; appointed 1813. Married; eight children; sleeps in the prison; has his meals out. Salary, 65l.

Second Turnkey.—Aged twenty-one years; appointed 1831. Formerly a labourer: resides in the prison. Salary, 30l. a year.

Miller.—Aged forty-one years; appointed 1823; sleeps in the prison. Salary, 52l.

Annual amount of Salaries, 617l.