Bristol New Gaol

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

Alternative Names   Bristol Gaol, Bristol City Common Gaol, Bristol Prison

Prison Type   Local Prison -  Common Gaol

Jurisdiction   Municipality

Date opened   1820

Date closed   1883

Location   Cumberland Road   Bristol

Map location   exact or closely approximate

County   Somersetshire

Prison Info

Alternative Names   Bristol Gaol, Bristol City Common Gaol, Bristol Prison

Prison Type   Local Prison

Jurisdiction   Municipality

Date opened   1820

Date closed   1883

Location   Cumberland Road   Bristol

Map location   exact or closely approximate
Lat.   51.4462  Long.   -2.598

County   Somersetshire

Prisoner Statistics

 

Year 1823

Annual Committed   -   181

Daily Census   -   473

 

Year 1828

Annual Committed   -   195

Daily Census   -   471

 

Year 1833

Annual Committed   -   224

Daily Census   -   605

 

Year 1838

Annual Confined   -   979

Daily Census   -   142

 

Year 1843

Annual Confined   -   1094

Daily Census   -   160

 

Year 1848

Annual Confined   -   855

Daily Daily average   -   156

 

Year 1853

Annual Confined   -   545

Daily Daily average   -   124

 

Year 1858

Annual Committed   -   634

Daily Daily average   -   159

 

Year 1863

Annual Committed   -   741

Daily Greatest number   -   174

 

Year 1868

Annual Committed   -   713

Daily Daily average   -   119

 

Year 1873

Annual Committed   -   592

Daily Daily average   -   132

 

Year 1878

Annual Committed   -   1851

Daily Daily average   -   166

 

Year 1883

Annual Committed   -   2255

Daily Daily average   -   145

Principal Primary Sources

  • The Third Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1821), Appendix, p.65; Fourth Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1822), Appendix, p.56; Sixth Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1824), Appendix, p.123; Seventh Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1827), Appendix, p.130; Eighth Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1832), Appendix, p.39
  • Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1824, XIX.359), p.256; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1825, XXIII.1), p.318; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826, XXIV.1), p.302; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826-27, XIX.365), p.273; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1828, XX.327), p.314; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1829, XIX.1), p.282; Reports and Schedules Pursuant To Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830, XXIV.1), p.283; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830-31, XII.1), p.278; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1831-32. XXXIII.197), p.279; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1833, XXVIII.1), p.304; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1834, XLVI.1), p.290; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1835, XLIV.225), p.276; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1836, XLII.1), p.186; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837, XLV.1), p.187; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837-8, XLIII.227), p.188; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXXVIII.17), p.188; Reports Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.1), p.204; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1841, XVIII.1), p.217; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXXII.1), p.220; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1843, XLIII.1), p.220; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXXIX.403), p.213; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXXVII.417), p.253; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXXIV.187), p.260; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847, XLVII.297), p.263; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847-48, LII.465), p.269
  • Royal Commission of Inquiry into Municipal Corporations of England and Wales, First Report, Appendices: Part 2 (Parl. Papers, 1835, XXIII.133), p.1178
  • Abstract Return of Establishment and Expenditure of Gaols and Houses of Correction in England and Wales (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.241), p.52
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District. First Report (Parl. Papers, 1836, XXXV.269), p.61; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXII.217), p.51; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXII.217), p.49; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1841 Session 2, V.177), p.131; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXIX.391), p.399; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Eleventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXI.565), p.378; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Twelfth Report (Parl. Papers, 1847-8, XXXV.1), p.377; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Thirteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1847-8, XXXVI.133), p.194; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Fifteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1850, XXVIII.579), p.152; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Seventeenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1852, XXIV.1), p.77; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Nineteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1854, XXXIV.1), p.28; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Twenty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1856, XXXIII.485), p.17; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1857-58, XXIX.69), p.37; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1860, XXXV.153), p.24; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1863, XXIII.1), p.35; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirtieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1865, XXIII.1), p.100; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1866, XXXVII.1), p.87; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1867-68, XXXIV.203), p.117; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1868-69, XXIX.1), p.79; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1870, XXXVII.1), p.83; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.241), p.99; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1872, XXXI.1), p.64; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1873, XXXII.1), p.116; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1874, XXIX.1), p.134; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1875, XXXVII.1), p.149; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Fortieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1876, XXXV.1), p.149; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1877, XLIII.1), p.152; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1878, XLI.1), p.151
  • Commissioners of Prisons, Second Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1878-79, XXXIV.1, 97), p.7; Commissioners of Prisons, Third Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1880, XXXV.1,73), p.7; Commissioners of Prisons, Fourth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1881, LI.441, 521), p.10; Commissioners of Prisons, Fifth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1882, XXXIII.443, 541), p.11; Commissioners of Prisons, Sixth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1883, XXXI.445, 579), p.12; Commissioners of Prisons, Seventh Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1884, XLII.461, 551), p.11

Secondary Sources

  • https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1207885; http://www.bristollawsociety.com/the-new-gaol/

Management

Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: 9352

Collection: None

Description: Commissioners' minute book under the Act for building new Gaol

Dates: 1815-1824


Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: 14180/10-16

Collection: None

Description: Miscellaneous agreements and contracts for annual supplies of bread to the Gaol and House of Correction

Dates: 1835-1840


Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: 17128/3-12

Collection: New Gaol Papers

Description: New Gaol papers. Advertisement, tenders, estimates and agreement for supply of bread to prisoners in new Gaol.

Dates: 1820-1823


Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: 43484/RC/2/17

Collection: Brice and Burges

Description: RC-Riots Compensation (1831-1834). Rough notes of losses in Mansion House, Gaol, Bridewell and Custom House.

Dates: 1831-1834


Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: Acts/4/1816/1

Collection: None

Description: Act for building a new Gaol in the City of Bristol (20 June 1816)

Dates: 1816


Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: BCC/A/3/2/1-3

Collection: Corporation of Bristol

Description: An Act for building a new Gaol in the City of Bristol. Commissioners' minute book and Gaol rate books, and bank pass book.

Dates: 1815-1824


Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: JQS/P/340

Collection: Bristol Quarter Sessions

Description: Case papers and counsels' opinions re new Bristol Gaol

Dates: 1815-1816


Archive name: Hampshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: 44M69/K7/54

Collection: None

Description: Bristol Gaol Bill. Case relative to the Bill (opposing it), detailed statement of case of the promoters, petition to the House of Commons against the Bill.

Dates: 1816


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/RUo/37

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Copies of Acts, including Bristol Gaol (1816)

Dates: 1794-1830, 1816


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: WIN/15/2/2141-2142

Collection: None

Description: Letter from Worrall, Town Clerk of Bristol, seeking support for their opposition to the Bristol Gaol Bill, with printed case

Dates: 1816


Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: JQS/P/753

Collection: Bristol Quarter Sessions

Description: List of Visitors of the Gaol and House of Correction

Dates: 1835


Finance

Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: 14182/HB/X/10

Collection: Hale Bequest papers

Description: Rate for building the new Gaol, G. W.B.'s receipt

Dates: 1817


Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: F/AC/Box/128-168

Collection: Bristol City Council

Description: Payment for goods and services, including for / within the City Gaols

Dates: 1815-1855


Staff

Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: 17128/13

Collection: New Gaol Papers

Description: Copy resolution of Mayor etc regarding salaries of new Gaol.

Dates: 1821


Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: 17128/14

Collection: New Gaol Papers

Description: Letter regarding appointment of taskmaster

Dates: 1814


Prisoners

Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: JQS/P/726

Collection: Bristol Quarter Sessions

Description: Escape of 12 prisoners from Bristol Gaol: advertisements, governor's report, other documents

Dates: 1833


Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: 41648/P 3/10

Collection: Malago Society

Description: Booklet - Smyth v Smyth. Written by Tom Provis whilst in Prison. Includes various press cuttings.

Dates: 1853


Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: BCC/D/POL/WS/1/1

Collection: Corporation of Bristol

Description: Police warrants. Notice of escape from Prison of George Anson, vagrant.

Dates: 1875


Land & Buildings

Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: 17128/1-2

Collection: New Gaol Papers

Description: Letters regarding repairs

Dates: 1811


Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: 17128/15

Collection: New Gaol Papers

Description: Specification for repairs

Dates: 1823


Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: 17567/5

Collection: Bristol photographs and papers

Description: Plan of the old Gaol, New Cut (built 1820, reconstructed 1831)

Dates: c.1820, 1831


Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: 4312/66

Collection: None

Description: Plan of Common Gaol for City and County of Bristol

Dates: 1869


Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: 4312/76

Collection: None

Description: Plan of Bristol Gaol (old Gaol, New Cut)

Dates: 1883


Archive name: Gloucestershire Archives

Catalogue ref: Q/RUm/201/2

Collection: Gloucestershire Quarter Sessions

Description: Bristol water supply, improvements. Plan and section (volume, printed). Includes new Gaol, Lawford's Gate Prison.

Dates: 1845


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/CC/T/6296

Collection: None

Description: Map of Bedminster. Streets and various churches, chapels, Gaol and Police station are named

Dates: 1859


Images

Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: M4114

Collection: None

Description: Bristol Riots - The Gaol Burning and St Paul's, Bedminster. Oil on paper, William James Müller.

Dates: 1831


Other

Archive name: Bristol Archives

Catalogue ref: 26154/11

Collection: None

Description: Documents once the property of the Reverend. F. W. Potto Hicks. Includes printed broadsheet with illustrations concerning the Bristol Riots. A description of the trial and 'Lament of the Unhappy Prisoners'.

Dates: 1832