Ancestry UK

County Bridewell, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire

A Gloucestershire County Bridewell, or House of Correction, was established at Winchcombe (then usually spelled Winchcomb).

In 1784, John Howard wrote:

In this bridewell prisoners were formerly kept all together in the cellar. Now they are in the garrets: men in one, women in another; each about 14 feet square: roof and foors meet: 8 feet high to the ridge in the middle. A close-glazed window in each: no chimney. Prisoners always confined to their rooms: court not secure. The county have never expended any thing upon the house for many years; and the whole is quite out of repair. It was the freehold of the keeper, who was upwards of fourscore: his salary per receipts £12: 10: 0, received only £12. Fees, 13s. 4d. no table. Licence for beer. Clauses against spirituous liquors not hung up. Allowance, if charged with felony, three-pennyworth of bread a day. No straw. The keeper said, that "he should be obliged to put irons on all the prisoners to secure them."

1776, Dec. 14, Prisoners, 1 Felon, and 2 Women.
1779, May 19, No Prisoners.
1782, Dec. 24, One Petty Offender.

The establishment was closed following the passing of the Gloucestershire Act of 1785, which provided for the closure of several existing bridewells and the construction of several new ones, mostly at different locations in the county.

Records

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Bibliography

  • Prison Oracle - resources those involved in present-day UK prisons.
  • GOV.UK - UK Government's information on sentencing, probation and support for families.