19th Century Prison History : 19th Century Prison Search

Buxton County Lock Up House

Overview

Location   unknown  Buxton

County   Derbyshire

Year Opened   c1829

Year Closed   unknown

Century of Operation   1800-1899

Further information can be found at
https://www.prisonhistory.org/lockup/buxton-county-lock-up-house/

Description

  • 'This lock up house is a detached building consisting of two cells, but without any accommodation for a resident keeper. The situation is unobjectionable, but the building is very ill adapted for its purposes. The parish constable stated that it was built at the cost of the township about twenty years ago; that it was intended chiefly for vagrants in want of a nights lodging, and that it is to this use that it has been chiefly applied ... Only one cell is used, the other being filled with coal and various articles. This cell is about 9 feet long, 6 feet wide and 6 feet high. It is dry, and warmed by an open fire. It is ventilated by an unglazed opening, to which people on the outside have access, and through which, consequently anything can be handed in ... There are two horizontal poles fixed on each side of the cell for people to sit on, and there was some loose straw to serve as bedding. The constable said that there were formerly proper benches, but that they had been pulled to pieces and burnt.'
    Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Fifteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1850, XXVIII.291), p.168

Sources

  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Fifteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1850, XXVIII.291), p.168