Canterbury County Gaol and House of Correction

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

Alternative Names   St Augustine's Gaol, St Augustine's Gaol and House of Correction, , Canterbury County Gaol, Canterbury Prison, HMP Canterbury

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

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1808

Date closed   post 1900 (2013)

Location   on the site of St Augustin's Monastery a little way out of town; Longport [Road]   Canterbury

Map location   exact or closely approximate

County   Kent

Prison Info

Alternative Names   St Augustine's Gaol, St Augustine's Gaol and House of Correction, , Canterbury County Gaol, Canterbury Prison, HMP Canterbury

Prison Type   Local Prison

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1808

Date closed   post 1900 (2013)

Location   on the site of St Augustin's Monastery a little way out of town; Longport [Road]   Canterbury

Map location   exact or closely approximate
Lat.   51.2781  Long.   1.0918

County   Kent

Prisoner Statistics

 

Year 1818

Annual Committed   -   435

Daily Greatest number   -   76

 

Year 1824

Annual Committed   -   344

Daily Census   -   56

 

Year 1828

Annual Committed   -   360

Daily Census   -   42

 

Year 1833

Annual Committed   -   392

Daily Census   -   65

 

Year 1838

Annual Confined   -   444

Daily Census   -   48

 

Year 1843

Annual Confined   -   559

Daily Census   -   45

 

Year 1848

Annual Confined   -   402

Daily Daily average   -   42

 

Year 1853

Annual Confined   -   497

Daily Daily average   -   54

 

Year 1858

Annual Committed   -   583

Daily Daily average   -   81

 

Year 1863

Annual Committed   -   698

Daily Greatest number   -   167

 

Year 1868

Annual Committed   -   592

Daily Daily average   -   98

 

Year 1873

Annual Committed   -   618

Daily Daily average   -   80

 

Year 1878

Annual Committed   -   1088

Daily Daily average   -   128

 

Year 1883

Annual Committed   -   1281

Daily Daily average   -   124

 

Year 1888

Annual Committed   -   1327

Daily Daily average   -   129

 

Year 1893

Annual Committed   -   1384

Daily   -  

 

Year 1898

Annual Committed   -   1513

Daily   -  

Principal Primary Sources

  • James Neild, The State of the Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales (London, 1812), p.101
  • Account of Gaols, Houses of Correction or Penitentiaries in the United Kingdom, 1818 (Parl. Papers, 1819, XVII.371), p.22
  • 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.53; 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.63; 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.19
  • Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1825, XXIII.1), p.128; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826, XXIV.1), p.130; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826-27, XIX.365), p.121; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1828, XX.327), p.132; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1829, XIX.1), p.119; Reports and Schedules Pursuant To Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830, XXIV.1), p.120; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830-31, XII.1), p.116; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1831-32. XXXIII.197), p.118; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1833, XXVIII.1), p.124; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1834, XLVI.1), p.115; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1835, XLIV.225), p.117; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1836, XLII.1), p.75; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837, XLV.1), p.78; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837-8, XLIII.227), p.77; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXXVIII.17), p.68; Reports Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.1), p.76; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1841, XVIII.1), p.78; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXXII.1), p.76; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1843, XLIII.1), p.84; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXXIX.403), p.80; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXXVII.417), p.93; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXXIV.187), p.86; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847, XLVII.297), p.96; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847-48, LII.465), p.94
  • Abstract Return of Establishment and Expenditure of Gaols and Houses of Correction in England and Wales (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.241), p.20
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Second Report (Parl. Papers, 1837 XXXII.1), p.391; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Third Report, Supplement (Parl. Papers, 1837-38, XXX.367), p.13; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXI.1), p.218; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXV.1), p.306; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1841 Session 2, IV.1), p.193; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Tenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXIII.1), p.284; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Fourteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1850, XXVIII.1), p.71; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Fifteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1851, XXVII.1), p.99; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1859, Session 1, XI.169), p.32; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1861, XXIX.1), p.38; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1863, XXIII.1), p.48; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirtieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1865, XXIII.1), p.124; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1866, XXXVII.1), p.110; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1867-68, XXXIV.203), p.149; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1868-69, XXIX.1), p.101; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1870, XXXVII.1), p.115; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.241), p.145; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1872, XXXI.1), p.86; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1873, XXXII.1), p.168; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1874, XXIX.1), p.184; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1875, XXXVII.1), p.203; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Fortieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1876, XXXV.1), p.203; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1877, XLIII.1), p.206; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1878, XLI.1), p.206
  • Commissioners of Prisons, Second Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1878-79, XXXIV.1, 97), p.9; Commissioners of Prisons, Third Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1880, XXXV.1,73), p.10; Commissioners of Prisons, Fourth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1881, LI.441, 521), p.13; Commissioners of Prisons, Fifth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1882, XXXIII.443, 541), p.14; Commissioners of Prisons, Sixth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1883, XXXI.445, 579), p.15; Commissioners of Prisons, Seventh Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1884, XLII.461, 551), p.14; Commissioners of Prisons, Eighth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1884-85, XXXVII.527, 651), p.15; Commissioners of Prisons, Ninth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1886, XXXV.1, 93), p.15; Commissioners of Prisons, Tenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1887, XLI.203, 335), p.14; Commissioners of Prisons, Eleventh Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1888, LVIII.1, 209), p.15; Commissioners of Prisons, Twelfth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1889, XLI.1, 181), p.15; Commissioners of Prisons, Thirteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1890, XXXVII.1, 183), p.15; Commissioners of Prisons, Fourteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1890-91, XLIII.1, 125), p.14; Commissioners of Prisons, Fifteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1892, XLII.1, 147), p.13; Commissioners of Prisons, Sixteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1893-94, XLVII.1, 121), p.13; Commissioners of Prisons, Seventeenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1894, XLIV.1, 183), p.13; Commissioners of Prisons, Eighteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1895, LVI.727, 865), p.13
  • Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1895-96 (Parl. Papers, 1896, XLIV.235), p.37; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1896-97 (Parl. Papers, 1897, XL.105), p.171; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1897-98 (Parl. Papers, 1898, XLVII.23), p.191; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1898-99 (Parl. Papers, 1899, XLIII.65), p.179; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1899-1900 (Parl. Papers, 1900, XLI.1), p.210

Additional Primary Sources

  • Paul Coltman, ed. The diary of a prison governor: James William Newham, 1825-1890 (Maidstone, 1984)

Management

Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/GCg/2

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Prison Accommodation Committees: Report of the Committee (1875), and reports of the Governor (1874-1878) and chaplains (186901877)

Dates: 1869-1878


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/GGz/4

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Annual returns of the Keepers of the two Gaols to the Secretary of State under the Acts George IV and Victoria

Dates: 1839-1856


Archive name: Canterbury Cathedral Archives

Catalogue ref: CCA-U4/36/11

Collection: None

Description: St Augustine's Prison Maintenance of prisoners

Dates: 1839


Archive name: Canterbury Cathedral Archives

Catalogue ref: U/4/36/11

Collection: Fordwich Borough, bundle no. 36

Description: Bills, St Augustine's Prison, maintenance of prisoners

Dates: 1839


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/GCg/1, 3

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Prison Accommodation Committees: Minutes and reports

Dates: 1857-1858


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/GGe/4

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Agreements for maintenance of prisoners of other authorities

Dates: 1867-1869


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/GGe/5

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Memorials of various authorities in East Kent protesting against the proposed abolition of the East Kent Gaol at St. Augustines

Dates: 1875


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/GGz/1

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Agreements for maintenance of prisoners of other authorities

Dates: 1824-1871


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/SBe/34

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Report of Gaol Committee (Easter 1809)

Dates: 1809


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/SBe/50

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Gaol report (Easter 1813). 

Dates: 1813


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Rm/JQb3

Collection: Liberty of Romney Marsh

Description: Contract for maintaining prisoners at St Augustine's

Dates: 1842


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: U1515/OQ/B5D

Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts

Description: To Romney from Inspector of Prisons. Not satisfied with cells at Maidstone and Canterbury.

Dates: 1866


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: U2639/O4

Collection: Papers of the Reverend Montagu Pennington, Justice of the Peace

Description: Copy minutes of General Quarter sessions held at Maidstone (23 October 1815) concerning St Augustine's Gaol, Wingham. Also, the escape of two prisoners from it.

Dates: 1815


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/GCz/2

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Includes report of a Joint Committee of Visiting Justices to the County Prisons (index at front) 

Dates: 1855-1864


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/GGe/1

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Reports of Visiting Justices etc

Dates: 1814-1822


Finance

Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: P309/11/21-23

Collection: New Romney St Nicholas parish records

Description: County rates, assessments and accounts for Gaols at Maidstone and Canterbury (microfilm) 

Dates: 1818-1860


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/GFg/2-5, 7

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Payments and (printed) abstracts of expenditure on account of St Augustine's Prison, Canterbury, with schedules of bills paid and returns and classifications of prisoners

Dates: 1822-1877


Staff

Archive name: Canterbury Cathedral Archives

Catalogue ref: DCb/F/F/C/1-6

Collection: Diocese of Canterbury

Description: Licences for Chaplains at Canterbury, St Augustine's Prison

Dates: 1861-1899


Prisoners

Archive name: Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery

Catalogue ref: 6277-6302

Collection: None

Description: Prison registers (from Canterbury and Maidstone prisons, but sometimes not clear which prison for each book)

Dates: 1880-1900


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/SBe/129

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: East Kent Sessions papers, including letters extending Royal Mercy to prisoners (Michaelmas 1832)

Dates: 1832


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/SI/E/859

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Certificate that no prisoners (Easter 1888)

Dates: 1888


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/SBe/121/15

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Rough assessment of destroyed machines, and list of 12 prisoners' sentences

Dates: 1830


Land & Buildings

Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/AGe/1-6

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Papers and plans relating to the building of the East Kent Gaol at Canterbury, with or without a Sessions House, and including the Bridewell and Keeper's house. Also includes sale of the old Gaol.

Dates: 1804-1810


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/C/Su/1

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Ledgers of County Surveyor, Martin Bulmer. Bulmer did work for the county, including on the county prisons.

Dates: 1852-1878


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/GB/32

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Includes plan of new chapel at St Augustine's Gaol

Dates: 1849-1850


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/GGe/2/1-12

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Contracts for alterations and additions to the gaol

Dates: 1834-1867


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/GGe/6/1-3

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Plans. Additions and alterations to the gaol

Dates: 1820


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/GGe/7

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Ground plan of the Kent County Gaol and House of Correction at St. Augustine's near Canterbury

Dates: 1824


Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre

Catalogue ref: Q/GGe/8-25

Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions

Description: Proposed additions and alterations to the East Kent gaol, including to treadmill, chapel, cell blocks

Dates: 19th century