Devon County Gaol and Bridewell

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

Alternative Names   Exeter County High Gaol for Felons, Devon High Gaol, Devon County Gaol, , Exeter County Gaol, Exeter Prison, HMP Exeter

Prison Type   Local Prison -  Common Gaol

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1794

Date closed   post 1900 (still open)

Location   New North Road   Exeter

Map location   exact or closely approximate

County   Devon

Critical Remarks

When the County Gaol was rebuilt in 1853, the County House of Correction (ID 13) was officially merged with it. Until this time, the two institutions were located next to each other and shared the same senior management, but officially regarded as two separate institutions.

Related Prisons

Prison Info

Alternative Names   Exeter County High Gaol for Felons, Devon High Gaol, Devon County Gaol, , Exeter County Gaol, Exeter Prison, HMP Exeter

Prison Type   Local Prison

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1794

Date closed   post 1900 (still open)

Location   New North Road   Exeter

Map location   exact or closely approximate
Lat.   50.728353  Long.   -3.5321493

County   Devon

Critical Remarks

When the County Gaol was rebuilt in 1853, the County House of Correction (ID 13) was officially merged with it. Until this time, the two institutions were located next to each other and shared the same senior management, but officially regarded as two separate institutions.

Related Prisons

Prisoner Statistics

 

Year 1818

Annual Committed   -   221

Daily Greatest number   -   146

 

Year 1824

Annual Committed   -   389

Daily Census   -   62

 

Year 1828

Annual Committed   -   431

Daily Census   -   102

 

Year 1833

Annual Committed   -   501

Daily Census   -   123

 

Year 1838

Annual Confined   -   758

Daily Census   -   138

 

Year 1843

Annual Confined   -   881

Daily Census   -   107

 

Year 1848

Annual Confined   -   941

Daily Daily average   -   84

 

Year 1853

Annual Confined   -   1449

Daily Daily average   -   196

 

Year 1858

Annual Committed   -   1118

Daily Daily average   -   148

 

Year 1863

Annual Committed   -   1463

Daily Greatest number   -   245

 

Year 1868

Annual Committed   -   1620

Daily Daily average   -   178

 

Year 1873

Annual Committed   -   1330

Daily Daily average   -   168

 

Year 1878

Annual Committed   -   1714

Daily Daily average   -   226

 

Year 1883

Annual Committed   -   904

Daily Daily average   -   114

 

Year 1888

Annual Committed   -   1462

Daily Daily average   -   153

 

Year 1893

Annual Committed   -   1277

Daily   -  

 

Year 1898

Annual Committed   -   1330

Daily   -  

Principal Primary Sources

  • James Neild, The State of the Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales (London, 1812), p.206
  • Account of Gaols, Houses of Correction or Penitentiaries in the United Kingdom, 1818 (Parl. Papers, 1819, XVII.371), p.8
  • 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.13; 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.10; 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.15; 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.25; 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.24; 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.8
  • Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1825, XXIII.1), p.72; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826, XXIV.1), p.70; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826-27, XIX.365), p.61; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1828, XX.327), p.70; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1829, XIX.1), p.58; Reports and Schedules Pursuant To Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830, XXIV.1), p.53; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830-31, XII.1), p.53; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1831-32. XXXIII.197), p.55; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1833, XXVIII.1), p.59; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1834, XLVI.1), p.55; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1835, XLIV.225), p.59; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1836, XLII.1), p.35; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837, XLV.1), p.39; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837-8, XLIII.227), p.38; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXXVIII.17), p.35; Reports Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.1), p.36; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1841, XVIII.1), p.38; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXXII.1), p.39; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1843, XLIII.1), p.43; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXXIX.403), p.40; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXXVII.417), p.40; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXXIV.187), p.42; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847, XLVII.297), p.47; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847-48, LII.465), p.51
  • Abstract Return of Establishment and Expenditure of Gaols and Houses of Correction in England and Wales (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.241), p.10
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Second Report (Parl. Papers, 1837, XXXII.659), p.21; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXII.217), p.24; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1841 Session 2, V.177), p.141; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXIX.391), p.76; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Tenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXIV.207), p.107; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Eleventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXI.565), p.67; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Twelfth Report (Parl. Papers, 1847-8, XXXV.1), p.68; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Thirteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1847-8, XXXVI.133), p.42; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Fourteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1849, XXVI.93), p.28; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Sixteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1851, XXVII.669), p.153; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Eighteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1852-53, LII.113), p.31; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Twentieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1854-55, XXVI.1), p.67; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1857-58, XXIX.69), p.20; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1860, XXXV.153), p.13; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1862, XXV.5), p.19; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1864, XXVI.1), p.18; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirtieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1865, XXIII.1), p.61; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1866, XXXVII.1), p.52; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1867-68, XXXIV.203), p.63; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1868-69, XXIX.1), p.42; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1870, XXXVII.1), p.43; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.241), p.50; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1872, XXXI.1), p.32; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1873, XXXII.1), p.61; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1874, XXIX.1), p.71; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1875, XXXVII.1), p.76; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Fortieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1876, XXXV.1), p.76; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1877, XLIII.1), p.78; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1878, XLI.1), p.78
  • Commissioners of Prisons, Second Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1878-79, XXXIV.1, 97), p.24; Commissioners of Prisons, Third Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1880, XXXV.1,73), p.31; Commissioners of Prisons, Fourth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1881, LI.441, 521), p.33; Commissioners of Prisons, Fifth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1882, XXXIII.443, 541), p.38; Commissioners of Prisons, Sixth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1883, XXXI.445, 579), p.41; Commissioners of Prisons, Seventh Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1884, XLII.461, 551), p.38; Commissioners of Prisons, Eighth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1884-85, XXXVII.527, 651), p.38; Commissioners of Prisons, Ninth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1886, XXXV.1, 93), p.34; Commissioners of Prisons, Tenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1887, XLI.203, 335), p.31; Commissioners of Prisons, Eleventh Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1888, LVIII.1, 209), p.31; Commissioners of Prisons, Twelfth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1889, XLI.1, 181), p.31; Commissioners of Prisons, Thirteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1890, XXXVII.1, 183), p.31; Commissioners of Prisons, Fourteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1890-91, XLIII.1, 125), p.30; Commissioners of Prisons, Fifteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1892, XLII.1, 147), p.29; Commissioners of Prisons, Sixteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1893-94, XLVII.1, 121), p.30; Commissioners of Prisons, Seventeenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1894, XLIV.1, 183), p.30; Commissioners of Prisons, Eighteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1895, LVI.727, 865), p.30
  • Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1895-96 (Parl. Papers, 1896, XLIV.235), p.77; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1896-97 (Parl. Papers, 1897, XL.105), p.217; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1897-98 (Parl. Papers, 1898, XLVII.23), p.239; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1898-99 (Parl. Papers, 1899, XLIII.65), p.234; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1899-1900 (Parl. Papers, 1900, XLI.1), p.271

Secondary Sources

  • http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/councildemocracy/record_office/information_dalss/guide_sources/crime/prisons_in_devon.htm

Management

Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: 54Z/Q/1

Collection: County Prison

Description: Medical Officer's report on suggested alteration in Prison diet (printed)

Dates: 1863


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: 5853H

Collection: H.M. Prison, Exeter

Description: Records relating to justices and inspectors

Dates: 1867-1930


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: GMH/G3/24/10/4

Collection: None

Description: Acts of Parliament relating to Devon County Gaol

Dates: undated


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: QS/101/1-3

Collection: Devon Quarter Sessions

Description: Gaol Committee minute books

Dates: 1787-1827


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: QS/102/2

Collection: Devon Quarter Sessions

Description: Reports under 1823 Gaol Act

Dates: 1823-1828


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: QS/107/11

Collection: Devon Quarter Sessions

Description: Contract, for keeping city prisoners in county gaol

Dates: 1863


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: QS/107/3

Collection: Devon Quarter Sessions

Description: Contract to provide prisoners in county gaol and bridewell with bread

Dates: 1824


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: QS/110/1

Collection: Devon Quarter Sessions

Description: Gaol Committee report (under 1823 Act)

Dates: 1824


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: QS/110/2

Collection: Devon Quarter Sessions

Description: Report to Gaol Committee, Suggested alterations to County Gaol to meet requirements of 1823 Act

Dates: 1824


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: QS/110/3-7

Collection: Devon Quarter Sessions

Description: Annual reports, gaol and bridewell

Dates: 1834-1849


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: QS/102/1

Collection: Devon Quarter Sessions

Description: Visiting Justices minute book

Dates: 1825-1831


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: QS/107/12

Collection: Devon Quarter Sessions

Description: Correspondence between Devon Visiting Justices and Home Office

Dates: 1843-1845


Finance

Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: MFC/38 (microfilm)

Collection: None

Description: Account book of W Pridham & Sons, [(ncluding) conveyance of prisoners for County of Devon

Dates: 1852-1876


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: QS/109/1

Collection: Devon Quarter Sessions

Description: Order of Quarter Sessions relating to all bills, repairs and expenditure at County Prison

Dates: 1823


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: QS/134/8/1-6

Collection: Devon Quarter Sessions

Description: Voucher bundle for expenses of County Gaol and Bridewell

Dates: 1820-1825


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: QS/138/1-3

Collection: Devon Quarter Sessions

Description: Gaol and Bridewell loans ledger (with account for rebuilding of County Gaol)

Dates: 1848-1856


Daily Business

Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: 5853H

Collection: H.M. Prison, Exeter

Description: Hospital records

Dates: 1879-1971


Staff

Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: 55Z/Q/1

Collection: County Prison

Description: Applications and testimonials of candidates for office of Chaplain of Devon County Prison (printed)

Dates: 1859


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: 1078/IRW/B/1619

Collection: Estate Duty Office Wills

Description: Will of James Brown, Governor of the High Gaol, Devon

Dates: 1823


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: 5853H

Collection: H.M. Prison, Exeter

Description: Staff records and accounts

Dates: 1882-1987


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: 83Z/S/1-3

Collection: None

Description: Letters to Under-Sheriff from William Mitchell, applicant for the post of Hangman at the County Prison

Dates: 1849


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: QS/107/13

Collection: Devon Quarter Sessions

Description: File (Prison Act 1877), Exeter Prison officers on staff

Dates: c.1877


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: 2065M/Z2

Collection: Buller of Downes, miscellaneous

Description: Letter from Ellen Budge, St Leonard's, Exeter to visiting Magistrates, applying for post of Schoolmistress at Devon County Prison

Dates: 1855


Prisoners

Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: 5853H/A/5/1-14

Collection: H.M. Prison, Exeter

Description: Nominal Registers for Devon County Prison

Dates: 1879-1900


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: 5853H

Collection: H.M. Prison, Exeter

Description: Prisoners' records (not catalogued online)

Dates: 1863-1982


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: 5853H/A/3/1-39

Collection: H.M. Prison, Exeter

Description: Receiving books for Devon County Prison

Dates: 1852-1879


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: 5853H/A/4/1-28

Collection: H.M. Prison, Exeter

Description: Indexes to receiving books

Dates: 1852-1879


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: 5853H/A/8

Collection: H.M. Prison, Exeter

Description: Indexes to prisoners for Devon County and Exeter City Prisons

Dates: c.1875-c.1963


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: 5853H/A/9/1

Collection: H.M. Prison, Exeter

Description: Album of Devon and Exeter female prisoners

Dates: c.1870-c.1875


Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/X/HRG/11

Collection: Badcock family of Bampton (Devon) and Taunton

Description: Letters to Daniel Badcock. Mainly family, but including Admiral Cochrane and one from Richard Marley, a man under sentence of death at the High Gaol, Exeter

Dates: 1817-1833


Land & Buildings

Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: 1326M/T/1-5

Collection: None

Description: Deeds for Gaol site at Exeter County Gaol, as well as leases etc

Dates: 1810-1815


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: DEX/4/a/TM/Exeter (St David)

Collection: None

Description: Exeter, St David tithe map. Depicts the county Gaol, Bridewell, City Prison, barracks.

Dates: 1842


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: QS/100/3

Collection: Devon Quarter Sessions

Description: Copy abstract of Title Gaol lands

Dates: 1810-1813


Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre

Catalogue ref: QS/105/1-10

Collection: Devon Quarter Sessions

Description: Contracts for building work and alterations at the gaol, bridewell and castle

Dates: 1821-1831