County Bridewell, Wymondham, Norfolk

A day-room; with three closers on one side of it, for night rooms, about 6 feet by 4. A prisoner complained to me of being obliged to lie in one of these closets, with two boys who had a cutaneous disorder. There is another room for women, in which, at my visit in 1779, there were four dirty and sickly objects at work with padlocks on their legs, though they are never out in the court except on Sundays. The very small quantity of straw on the floor was worn almost to dust. There is a dungeon down eight steps with the stocks in it. It is 15 feet by 8, and 6 feet high; now arched with brick; a dirt floor; has two apertures at the top, of a foot diameter. The justices seem to have overlooked a clause in a late act of parliament (14th Geo. III. Chap. XLIII.). "to prevent the prisoners from being kept under ground, whenever they can do it conveniently," as there is abundant room on the premises. Neither the rooms nor the spacious court secure. Prisoners in this bridewell are not only confined within doors, but generally in irons. Keeper's salary, £16: no fees. Allowance to those suspected of felony, four pence a day,. Straw, £1 : 1 : 0 a year. Clauses against spirituous liquors not hung up.

The new buildings of the Wymondham Bridewell, added to the former old house (which is now appropriated to the use of the governor) consist of two wings, which are attached to the old house, and joined by a building in front, containing a large room, in which is placed a mill for cutting logwood, or any other wood for the use of dyers, and beating hemp; together with a stable, and store-rooms for lodging the materials used by ;he prisoners in their work. The whole of these buildings form a quadrangle, inclosing an area or yard, of about eighty, feet by seventy feet; in which some of the prisoners are allowed occasionally to take the air. In the two wings only (to both which there is a passage from the governor's house) are the offenders confined; and in each of them there are on the ground— floor seven separate rooms, or cells, for the men prisoners, of fourteen feet eight inches by seven feet four inches, with a work-room of twenty feet six inches by ten feet.

On the floor above, which is chiefly used for the women and less dangerous prisoners, are, in each wing, four separate rooms or cells, of the same dimensions with those below; with a work-room to each wing, the same as on the ground floor; together with an infirmary of ten feet six inches by fourteen feet eight inches, and a scullery, closet, and necessary to each. The cells, both above and below, are all arched, to prevent the possibility of fire, or any probable communication of infectious disorders. They are all ten feet high; and the windows of these rooms looking into the quadrangle, and being grated inside and outside with iron, and seven feet high from the floor of the rooms, afford the prisoners no possibility of looking out, or having the least intercourse with any other person. The cells are airy, having only wooden shutters to the windows; and by a slip or wicket in the doors, a thorough air is admitted, whereby they are always free from any ill scent. This is however with an exception to one cell on the upper floor in each wing, and to the infirmaries; for the windows of these are glazed, and have casements to open occasionally; being mostly kept for the use of women having infant children with them, and for the weak and convalescent prisoners. But as the construction of this building would little answer the purpose of its creation, without a correspondent management and conduct in the interior government of it, good care has been taken to enforce the rules, orders, and regulations established; and returns are regularly made by the governor to the justices at every quarter sessions.

The manufactory established here at present, is that of cutting logwood for the dyers at Norwich, and beating, heckling, and spinning hemp. In the labour of heckling, a tolerable workman will earn from eight shillings to ten shillings per week. The women and girls spin it by a wheel so contrived as to draw a thread with each hand; by which means, two of them can earn at least equal wages with three women spinning with one hand only. If the building should be enlarged, and the number of prisoners increase, Come of them will then be instructed in the art of weaving the yarn made in the house. At present, both the tow and the yarn is sold to the different houses of industry established in this county, and at Norwich. In the last return of the governor to the quarter sessions, we had the satisfaction to find that the money arising from the earnings of the prisoners, was one pound eight shillings and ten-pence more than double the sum expended for their maintenance.

This, though it cannot be deemed more than a secondary consideration, is surely no trifling one to derive a profit from the labour of such persons as were heretofore lost to, or become a burden upon the public; and it strongly marks the impolicy of sending these unhappy objects out of the kingdom. This sum indeed was further increased about five guineas, by adding to it the profit from the trade account; but as to have this become the general result, must depend greatly, perhaps chiefly, upon the choice of the governor, and somewhat on the activity of the magistrates, too much care cannot be taken in the first, especially as it will be the probable means of exciting the latter. We have been so fortunate as to meet with a governor who relieves us from a great part of our attention to, and direction of him.

The silence and peaceable demeanour, the cleanliness and industry, of those unhappy persons who are the inhabitants of this house, are really admirable; and such as greatly encourages the pleasing expectation, that their punishment will have that effect upon their future lives and conduct, which every humane benevolent mind must sincerely wish for. And they leave me without a doubt, that bridewells, with proper attention paid to them, may in future he made seminaries of industry and reformation, instead of receptacles of idleness and corruption. To effect these purposes, prisoners with suitable and constant work. This in most counties will necessarily vary, but may be easily obtained, especially if, by an allowance to the governor out of their earnings, it be made his interest as well as his duty to look carefully to the performance of it. The allowance given at this house, is threepence in every chilling of the nett earnings, and this is considered as a part of his salary.

I must not omit to inform you, that in this solitary confinement, and thus employed, it has not yet been found necessary to punish any of the prisoners with irons; and that, since the new erection and regulation os this prison, the magistrates in the vicinity; as well as the keeper of it, have observed, that in no one equal period of time has there been so few commitments to it.

This preventive justice, so preferable to punitive justice, most fully evinces the propriety and humanity of the undertaking, and must naturally excite a hope, that similar plans will be adopted in every county.

THOMAS BEEVOR.

Gaoler, Thomas Johnson. Salary, 80l. Also for taking Prisoners to the Quarter Sessions at Norwich, 1s. per mile; and the same on bringing them back; the distance, nine miles.

Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Colman. Salary, 30l.

Duty, Prayers and Sermon every Sunday.

Surgeon, Mr. Cubit. Salary, 20l.

Number of Prisoners,

1805, Sept. 6th, Nineteen. 1810, Sept. 12th, Eight.

Allowance, as per Dietary, viz:

Breakfasts, one pound of bread daily.

Dinners, Sunday, Hanway's soups, of ox-cheek, &c.

Monday, one pound of bread. Tuesday, potatoes.

Wednesday, boiled peas. Thursday, one pound of bread.

Friday, potatoes. Saturday, boiled peas.

REMARKS.

This Bridewell is partly surrounded by a boundary wall; which being distant about 18 feet from the Prison, affords the Keeper a small garden, for the growth of vegetables.

The house, which has been newly built, occupies one side of the area; and the back windows command the whole court-yard, of about 82 feet by 66, which has on each side a wing built for the use of the Prisoners, and a pump of excellent water in the centre. Here are likewise two sewers, a mill-house, a store-room, and the Keeper's stable; the door of which last opens at the outside.

The North West wing contains, on the ground floor, the Turnkey's room, two sleeping-cells, the Clink, (a place in which the irons are deposited) and four other cells, called the Strong Wards, which open into a passage 4 feet wide, well ventilated. Here is also the Men's Infirmary, of 21 feet 6 inches by g feet 6; having a fire-place, an iron-grated window of 3 feet by 2; a glazed window, with inside shutter, and two beds.

Up stairs is the Chapel, i7 feet by 14, and 10 feet high, with seats for the Prisoners; and a room for depositing peas, & c.: four sleeping-cells on this story open into a lobby, 4 feet 6 inches wide, well ventilated: and at the end of it is the Men's work-room, of the same dimensions as their Infirmary, but with the chimney. place stopped up.

The South-East wing has on the ground-floor a warping-room, and two sleeping cells, which open into a passage 4 feet 6 inches wide; likewise another repository for irons, called the Clink; four sleeping-cells, and an Infirmary, of the same size as those in the North-West wing.

The Women have four cells above-stairs, which open into a lobby of 4 feet 6 inches; and at the end of this is their work-room, and one apartment for an Infirmary. Each cell is 15 feet 6 by 6 feet 6, 9 feet 6 inches high; has an iron-grated glazed window, 3 feet by 2 feet 8; an inside shutter, with a pot-hole in each door, 8 inches by 7; and is fitted up with a crib bedstead, straw-in-sacking, and Rock-bed, a double blanket, pair of sheets, and a coverlet. Eight of these beds are capable of having two to sleep together in each; and I found some Prisoners spinning in their cells. The Men's cells have blinds placed before the windows.

The mill-house already mentioned has in it a very excellent mill, worked by four or five men, who walk round its axis in the same manner as practised in a horse mill. The hopper, &c. are in the room above, to prevent their receiving injury from the Prisoners; who do not know what they are grinding, but are frequently in want of employment.

They have no other use of the large court-yard, than for washing themselves in the morning; and are allowed to rest half an hour at breakfast-time, an hour at noon, and a half hour, also, at three o'clock.

No Liquor as beverage is permitted, but water, except in case of sickness, and when ordered by the Surgeon. The Prisoners have now no part of their earnings, which of later years have seldom exceeded twenty pounds per annum; one fourth of which is paid to the Keeper, and the rest goes to the County Treasurer, in Account,

Both Felons and Convicts have the County clothing; clean shirt or shift once a week, and fresh sheets monthly. Towels are also supplied them.

The County allows firing to the Men's two rooms on a Sunday, and to one room for the Women, during the six Winter months. Religious books are very laudably distributed, and placed in every cell.

For all the washing in this Prison, the Keeper is allowed 10l. a year; and is like wise furnished with mops, brooms, pails, and soap, to keep the whole clean: this is done effectually, and the Prison also whitewashed once a year.

Their provisions are cooked by the Keeper in the kitchen.

None of the Prisoners are put, or, at least, not kept in irons: But there is here one detestably curious pair, which came from the Castle, and is called " The Fiddle." The construction is an iron collar, to go round the Prisoner's neck, with a stiff projecting end, 20 inches in length; and two curvatures, to receive his hands, and hold them up, as in the attitude of prayer. It weighs seven pounds and a half, and I am told, was used on John Cooper, a refractory Prisoner, in April 1803.

The excellent Rules and Orders of this Prison are properly displayed; but, in express contradiction to Article xvi. the Act and Clauses of 24 Geo. II. c. 40, are neither painted on a board, nor hung up.

The Prisoners are discharged from hence in a morning, and have one shilling in money given them; after which the Keeper conveys them either to their respective home, or to their Parish.

This Establishment, distant eight miles from the city of Norwich, is appropriated solely for the reception of female offenders.

The interior, as entered through the Keeper's house, exhibits a hollow square, the area in the centre being occupied as airing yards, and the four sides by the prison buildings.

The Keeper's house contains a room for the Magistrates, parlour, kitchen, and four chambers. There is also a small garden. Two wings on the right and left, and in the rear of the Keeper's house, are occupied by the prisoners, and the square is perfected by a tread-wheel mill and its appurtenances.

The cells are 22 in number, and are 15ft. by 7, and 9 in height. The solitary cell is 7½ft. by 4ft. 4 in.; and 9 in height.

Observations:—This prison is completely surrounded by thoroughfares. The yards are wet, and the lower ranges of cells have the appearance of being damp, in consequence of there being no spouts to carry off the rain from the roofs.

The accumulation of filth in the rear of the privies, and its exposure, is most offensive, and from the effluvia, cannot but be prejudicial to health.

Dietary.—Those sentenced for 12, 9, 6, or 4 months, 2lbs. of bread a-day; for 3 or 2 months and with labour, 2lbs. a day; for 1 month, 1½lb. of bread. Half a pound of cheese weekly to all; one pint of milk when at labour. Vagrants for 21, 14, and 7 days, 1lb. of bread each.

Observations:—The bread is of the best wheaten quality, and is taken from two bakers, who supply it alternate weeks, and at a trifle under the retail price.

Those convicted of felony, or sentenced to an imprisonment of 12 months, are allowed to expend 3d. or 4d. a week in onions, radishes, milk, tea and sugar.

The untried are allowed to spend 6d. a week in similar articles.

The Keeper, contrary to law, supplies the prisoners with milk, from a cow kept by himself for that purpose.

Clothing.—Prison dress.

Bedding.—The same as at the Castle at Norwich.

Observations:—The females sleep two in a bed; the cells are large and airy, but several of the rush mats lying upon the bedsteads were covered with a green mould from damp.

Cleanliness.—The prison and prisoners clean.

Health.—The Surgeon sees every prisoner twice a week, and the sick daily. Diarrhoea was very prevalent during the last summer. It was attributed to the bread; the baker was changed, but no analyzation of it took place. Two cases of scurvy have occurred; they both yielded to improved diet. One of the day-rooms is used as an infirmary.

Observations:—The Surgeon states that he considers the bread to have been the cause of the prevailing diarrhoea. He. could trace no connexion between the disease and the locality. He considers the buildings dry; they are certainly damp at present, but it is owing to the weather. Thinks there is a much greater accumulation of filth about the privies than there ought to be.

Moral and Religious Instruction.—Divine Service is performed by the Chaplain twice on Sundays, with one sermon, alternately in the morning and afternoon; and prayers, consisting of a portion of the Liturgy, are read between nine and ten on other days of the week. The prisoners are examined when they come into the prison, as to their habits, connexions, and motives for committing the offence with which they are charged. They are not visited at other times in their cells, nor previously to their being discharged.

There is no provision for instruction; the prisoners are so constantly engaged in labour, that there is no time for it. They are supplied with Bibles, Testaments, and Tracts under his superintendence.

Observations:—The Chaplain states, he has never had reason to find fault with the demeanour of the prisoners during Divine Service. Some ladies attended the prison during the last year, for the purpose of instructing the prisoners, but, from their being so engaged in labour, sufficient opportunity was not afforded. The same ladies called upon him lately, and said that, whenever any of the time of the prisoners could be spared, they would gladly resume their labours.

Several of the prisoners sent lately from the workhouses for refractory conduct, have told him that they would much rather be in prison; that there was as much restraint in the house as there; and that the prison had the advantage, for that every thing was done without noise, and regularly. He does not think that the prison is the slightest punishment to females sent under such circumstances. The female felons are, generally, the best informed. The misdemeanants are exceedingly ignorant, so much so, that many of them, when asked, cannot tell the reasons for celebrating Christmas-day or Good Friday. The Chaplain's Journal contains only a register of his attendances.

Labour.—The prisoners are employed in washing and mending the linen, sent weekly from the County Gaol.

Observations:—The linen must be done by a certain time, and occasionally the prisoners iron by candle light. The Matron describes it as causing a saving in fuel, because they do two days in one.

Classification.—None is really preserved. The felons, and those at hard labour, have to go over to the Misdemeanant's Side to work, and hang the clothes in the adjoining airing yard; and the misdemeanants are confined to their cells during the continuance of the labour, and deprived of exercise, although communication can take place with ease from their windows.

Punishment.—The longest period of confinement in the Solitary Cell, has been for one night.

Visits and Letters.—As at the Castle; but if they do not see their friends after three months, they are allowed to write to them for money.

Accounts, Expenditure, Books.—The bills, after approval by the Magistrates, are paid by the County Treasurer to the various tradesmen.

General Discipline.—The officers of this prison all concur in stating there is nothing of a corrective or reforming nature in the discipline of this prison. It is, in fact, nothing more than a laundry to the County Gaol, by which means some few pounds are saved, while neither the bad habits of the inmates are corrected by salutary restraints, nor their minds improved by moral instruction.

Officers of the Prison.—Keeper, age 63; married; five children; brother to the Keeper of the County Gaol, Norwich; appointed 1801. Salary, 100l. Emoluments—none, except a trifle from supplying milk to the prisoners.

Matron.—Salary, 20l.

Chaplain.—Appointed 1832; is curate at the parish of Coston, about four miles from Wymondham, and is master of the Foundation Grammar School at the latter place. Salary, 100l.

Surgeon.—Appointed 1832. Salary, 30l for medicines and attendance.

Turnkey.—Twenty-nine years of age; unmarried; appointed 1831. Resides in the prison. Salary, 27l. a year