19th Century Prison History : 19th Century Prison Search

Bradford Town and County Lock Up

Overview

Location   courthouse, Hall-Fags  Bradford

County   Yorkshire

Year Opened   unknown

Year Closed   unknown

Century of Operation   1800-1899

Further information can be found at
https://www.prisonhistory.org/lockup/bradford-town-and-county-lock-up/

Descriptions

  • 'These lock-ups were clean at the time of my visit and contained four prisoners ... It appears that the part of this establishment which is appropriated to the females is also used as a nightly receptacle for vagrants of the same sex ... I am of opinion that the selection of the basement of the courthouse as a nightly refuge for vagrants is not a very judicious one, and the associating them with prisoners charged with offences is very improper. I notice, also, that the three male prisoners were sleeping in one cell, and in the same bed, other cells being unoccupied; although it is but just, also, to state that, the reason assigned for this being the case was, that the cells were in the course of cleaning for the reception of the prisoners who would be brought to take their trials at the sessions on the ensuing Monday.'
    Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1843, XXV. & XXVI.249), p.142

  • 'A convenient and handsome court-house, with lock-ups in the basement, has just been erected in this town ... The lock-ups are constructed upon a convenient plan, the apartments for males and females being completely apart from each other. The cells open into a spacious covered area, under the court-house, amply sufficient for exercise, and it is proposed to enclose the whole building with a boundary wall ... Bedding - straw palliasse, 3 blankets and rug for each prisoner ... From October Sessions 1834, to the same period in 1836, 724 prisoners have passed through these lock-ups.'
    Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Second Report (Parl. Papers, 1837, XXXII.499), p.141

  • 'The courthouse, at Hall-Fags, is a neat and convenient structure, with lockups in the basement; and was built in 1834, at a cost of £6,250.'
    John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72) [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/857930]

Sources

  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1843, XXV. & XXVI.249), p.142
    http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/857930
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Second Report (Parl. Papers, 1837, XXXII.499), p.141
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXI.1), p.39
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Sixteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1851, XXVII.461), p.93
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Tenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXIV.1), p.34
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Northern District, Thirteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1847-8, XXXVI.361), p.111
  • John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72)