Bury St Edmund’s County Gaol and House of Correction

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

Alternative Names   Bury St Edmunds Gaol, Bury St Edmunds County Gaol

Prison Type   Local Prison -  Common Gaol & House of Correction/Bridewell

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1787 [1805]

Date closed   1878

Location   Southgate Green, Sicklesmere Road   Bury St Edmunds

Map location   exact or closely approximate

County   Suffolk

Critical Remarks

Gaol for the Liberty of St Edmund first opened 1787 but significantly expanded becoming a county gaol in 1805, and incorporating the County House of Correction by 1819.

Prison Info

Alternative Names   Bury St Edmunds Gaol, Bury St Edmunds County Gaol

Prison Type   Local Prison

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1787 [1805]

Date closed   1878

Location   Southgate Green, Sicklesmere Road   Bury St Edmunds

Map location   exact or closely approximate
Lat.   52.234596  Long.   0.726804

County   Suffolk

Critical Remarks

Gaol for the Liberty of St Edmund first opened 1787 but significantly expanded becoming a county gaol in 1805, and incorporating the County House of Correction by 1819.

Prisoner Statistics

 

Year 1818

Annual Committed   -   396

Daily Greatest number   -   131

 

Year 1823

Annual Committed   -   618

Daily Census   -   112

 

Year 1828

Annual Committed   -   488

Daily Census   -   90

 

Year 1833

Annual Committed   -   857

Daily Census   -   158

 

Year 1838

Annual Confined   -   744

Daily Census   -   94

 

Year 1843

Annual Confined   -   782

Daily Census   -   64

 

Year 1848

Annual Confined   -   795

Daily Daily average   -   113

 

Year 1853

Annual Confined   -   660

Daily Daily average   -   119

 

Year 1858

Annual Committed   -   568

Daily Daily average   -   83

 

Year 1863

Annual Committed   -   532

Daily Greatest number   -   120

 

Year 1868

Annual Committed   -   524

Daily Daily average   -   64

 

Year 1873

Annual Committed   -   326

Daily Daily average   -   41

 

Year 1878

Annual Committed   -   18

Daily Daily average   -   0

Principal Primary Sources

  • James Neild, The State of the Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales (London, 1812), p.83
  • Account of Gaols, Houses of Correction or Penitentiaries in the United Kingdom, 1818 (Parl. Papers, 1819, XVII.371), p.44
  • [Second] Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1820), p.18; 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.68; 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.57; Fifth Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1823), Appendix, p.102; 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.128; 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.134; 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.41
  • Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1824, XIX.359), p.216; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1825, XXIII.1), p.248; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826, XXIV.1), p.238; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826-27, XIX.365), p.218; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1828, XX.327), p.254; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1829, XIX.1), p.224; Reports and Schedules Pursuant To Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830, XXIV.1), p.223; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830-31, XII.1), p.218; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1831-32. XXXIII.197), p.218; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1833, XXVIII.1), p.232; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1834, XLVI.1), p.220; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1835, XLIV.225), p.210; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1836, XLII.1), p.141; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837, XLV.1), p.141; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837-8, XLIII.227), p.146; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXXVIII.17), p.143; Reports Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.1), p.150; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1841, XVIII.1), p.157; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXXII.1), p.159; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1843, XLIII.1), p.157; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXXIX.403), p.161; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXXVII.417), p.193; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXXIV.187), p.185; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847, XLVII.297), p.201; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847-48, LII.465), p.208
  • Abstract Return of Establishment and Expenditure of Gaols and Houses of Correction in England and Wales (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.241), p.56
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District. First Report (Parl. Papers, 1836, XXXV.161), p.99; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXII.1), p.163; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXV.565), p.145; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXI.1), p.164; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXIX.227), p.50; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Eleventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXI.483), p.25; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland and Eastern District, Fourteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1849, XXVI.1), p.57; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Fifteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1850, XXVIII.291), p.86; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Sixteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1851, XXVII.461), p.49; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Eighteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1856, XXXIII.1), p.53; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Nineteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1856, XXXIII.385), p.60; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Twentieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1857, Session 1, VII.313), p.50; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Twenty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1857, Session 2, XXIII.1), p.45; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Twenty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1857-58, XXIX.1), p.51; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1859, Session 1, XI.1), p.122; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1860, XXXV.229), p.114; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1861, XXIX.45), p.115; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1862, XXV.93), p.105; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1863, XXIII.1), p.80; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirtieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1865, XXIII.1), p.214; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1866, XXXVII.1), p.189; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1867-68, XXXIV.203), p.259; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1868-69, XXIX.1), p.180; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1870, XXXVII.1), p.185; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.241), p.235; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1872, XXXI.1), p.135; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1873, XXXII.1), p.274; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1874, XXIX.1), p.315; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1875, XXXVII.1), p.340; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Fortieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1876, XXXV.1), p.339; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1877, XLIII.1), p.342; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1878, XLI.1), p.339

Additional Primary Sources

  • William White, History, Gazetteer and Directory of Suffolk (2nd edn, Sheffield, 1855), p. 194

Management

Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Ipswich Branch

Catalogue ref: B/100/1/25/83

Collection: Suffolk Quarter Sessions

Description: Bury Gaol, Governor's annual return

Dates: 1850


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Ipswich Branch

Catalogue ref: B/100/1/49

Collection: Suffolk Quarter Sessions

Description: Gaoler's reports and certificates, and visitors' reports. Bury and Beccles Gaols and Houses of Correction.

Dates: 1843


Archive name: Hampshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: 26M62/F/C673

Collection: None

Description: Letter to Lord Calthorpe from Nathaniel Colvill, Laneshall, Bury St Edmunds, about supply of bread

Dates: 1823


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: EE 500/D15/3/1

Collection: Bury St Edmunds Borough

Description: Borough relations with magistrates of the Bury Division [borough prisoners maintained in county gaol]

Dates: 1805-1879


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: EE 500/D15/4/1

Collection: Bury St Edmunds Borough

Description: Gaol administration and prisoners, rules

Dates: 1827


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Ipswich Branch

Catalogue ref: B/100/1/24/82

Collection: Suffolk Quarter Sessions

Description: Bury Gaol Committee, minutes

Dates: 1846


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Ipswich Branch

Catalogue ref: B/100/1/30A/9

Collection: Suffolk Quarter Sessions

Description: Letters and notices, including re Gaol and Police Committees

Dates: 1865-1867


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Ipswich Branch

Catalogue ref: B/100/1/31/11

Collection: Suffolk Quarter Sessions

Description: Returns of prisons

Dates: 1857


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Ipswich Branch

Catalogue ref: B/106/3/13

Collection: Suffolk Quarter Sessions

Description: Visitation books. Undertaking by Henry Reed to perform works at the Gaol, Bury St Edmunds. Addressed to the Magistrates of the Western Division.

Dates: 1849


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Ipswich Branch

Catalogue ref: B/106/3/2

Collection: Suffolk Quarter Sessions

Description: Bundle, Bury Gaol

Dates: 1871-1873


Finance

Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: FB64/G3/4

Collection: Nayland Parish records

Description: Vouchers, and account of expenses in apprehending gypsies and conveying them to Bury Gaol

Dates: 1827-1828


Staff

Archive name: Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AG/2/6

Collection: Buckinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Committee papers and memoranda, including replies from other Counties to questionnaire. Memo of evidence given before the Prison Labour Committee by John Orridge, Governor of Suffolk County Gaol, Bury St Edmunds.

Dates: 1817


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: HA 507/6/17

Collection: Hervey family papers

Description: Case and Attorney-General's opinion as to whether the Court of Quarter Sessions or the Marquess of Bristol (as Chief Steward of the Liberty) should appoint the Governor of Bury Gaol

Dates: 1873


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Ipswich Branch

Catalogue ref: B/106/3/10

Collection: Suffolk Quarter Sessions

Description: Minutes and papers concerning pensions and other matters, Ipswich and Bury Gaols

Dates: 1864-1881


Prisoners

Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: Q/AGr 1-16

Collection: West Suffolk Quarter Sessions

Description: County Gaol, Bury St Edmunds. Registers of prisoners ('Gaol receiving books')

Dates: 1844-1878


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: FB 81/A9/2

Collection: Hadleigh Parish records

Description: List of Hadleigh inhabitants. Includes notes of those in Prison, transported or on board ship.

Dates: 1836


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: GB500/1/23/5

Collection: None

Description: Lists of prisoners in the Borough Gaol and Bridewell receiving bread.

Dates: 1829


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Ipswich Branch

Catalogue ref: B/106/3/6/1-5

Collection: Suffolk Quarter Sessions

Description: Visitation books. Giving names of prisoners and their offences, particulars of occupation, details of their employment and earnings, with total of earnings since 26 November 1788.

Dates: 1828-1878


Land & Buildings

Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: 1783/67/(d)

Collection: None

Description: Print 'Design proposed for Bury Gaol.' Arthur Brown, Inventory from Gentleman's Magazine.

Dates: 1801


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: 586/1

Collection: None

Description: Plans of Bury St Edmunds. Printed plan by J. G. Lenny, Surveyor. Inset plan of Gaol.

Dates: 1823


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: EE 500/11/28

Collection: Bury St Edmunds Borough

Description: Correspondence relating to the purchase by the Corporation of Bury Gaol

Dates: 1878-1880


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: K 505/4000

Collection: The Spanton-Jarman collection of photographic negatives

Description: Photographs of historical maps

Dates: c.1800


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: K 511/512

Collection: None

Description: Design proposed for Bury Gaol, Bury St Edmunds, from Gentleman's Magazine. Plan and elevations.

Dates: 1801


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: K527/1190

Collection: None

Description: Photograph of plan of Bury Gaol

Dates: 1819


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: K527/1190/2

Collection: None

Description: Photograph of plan of Bury Gaol. Reversed negative copy.

Dates: undated


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: Q/AGd 3

Collection: West Suffolk Quarter Sessions

Description: County Gaol, Bury St Edmunds, deeds and leases

Dates: 1805


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: Q/AGd 4

Collection: West Suffolk Quarter Sessions

Description: County Gaol, Bury St Edmunds. Printed sale particulars (contract copies), with plans and abstract of title, for sale of land to the north and south of the Gaol

Dates: 1881


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: Q/AGp 1

Collection: West Suffolk Quarter Sessions

Description: County Gaol, Bury St Edmunds. Plan of proposed alterations, ground plan and elevations of entrance and façade. William Steggles.

Dates: 1849


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: Q/AGp 2

Collection: West Suffolk Quarter Sessions

Description: County Gaol, Bury St Edmunds. Sketch plan of alterations in boundary of front wall of Gaol, to accompany a tender. J. Trevethan.

Dates: 1849


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: Q/APs 1

Collection: West Suffolk Quarter Sessions

Description: Bury St Edmunds, photographs of ground plan of County Gaol and surrounding land

Dates: c.1810


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Ipswich Branch

Catalogue ref: B/106/2A/20-34

Collection: Suffolk Quarter Sessions

Description: Contracts with Clk. of Peace for a number of bridges, Bury Gaol, Bury Police Station, Barton Mills, bridge

Dates: 1851-1861


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Ipswich Branch

Catalogue ref: B/106/2A/7, 9

Collection: Suffolk Quarter Sessions

Description: Deeds, contracts with Clk. of Peace. Bury Gaol.

Dates: 1848, 1849


Archive name: Surrey History Centre

Catalogue ref: QS5/4/6/100-101

Collection: Surrey Quarter Sessions

Description: County Gaol, Horsemonger Lane, Newington, additions and alterations. One pair floor of a design for a Gaol, Bury St Edmunds. Designer J. Orridge.

Dates: c.1819


Images

Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: K 511/1091

Collection: None

Description: Photograph, entrance to old Gaol, Sicklesmere Road, Bury St Edmunds

Dates: undated


Archive name: Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds Branch

Catalogue ref: K 511/372

Collection: None

Description: Photograph, front of old Gaol, Sicklesmere Road, Bury St Edmunds

Dates: 1890