Durham County Gaol and House of Correction

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

Alternative Names   Durham County Gaol, Durham Prison, HMP Durham

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

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1819

Date closed   post 1900 (still open)

Location   Old Elvet   Durham

Map location   exact or closely approximate

County   Durham

Prison Info

Alternative Names   Durham County Gaol, Durham Prison, HMP Durham

Prison Type   Local Prison

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1819

Date closed   post 1900 (still open)

Location   Old Elvet   Durham

Map location   exact or closely approximate
Lat.   54.773333  Long.   -1.568056

County   Durham

Prisoner Statistics

 

Year 1823

Annual Committed   -   703

Daily Census   -   128

 

Year 1828

Annual Committed   -   800

Daily Census   -   111

 

Year 1833

Annual Committed   -   1027

Daily Census   -   203

 

Year 1838

Annual Confined   -   1061

Daily Census   -   165

 

Year 1843

Annual Confined   -   1775

Daily Census   -   260

 

Year 1848

Annual Confined   -   2479

Daily Daily average   -   229

 

Year 1853

Annual Confined   -   2165

Daily Daily average   -   270

 

Year 1858

Annual Committed   -   3096

Daily Daily average   -   390

 

Year 1863

Annual Committed   -   3177

Daily Greatest number   -   424

 

Year 1868

Annual Committed   -   4021

Daily Daily average   -   457

 

Year 1873

Annual Committed   -   6763

Daily Daily average   -   580

 

Year 1878

Annual Committed   -   6187

Daily Daily average   -   580

 

Year 1883

Annual Committed   -   7100

Daily Daily average   -   603

 

Year 1888

Annual Committed   -   5462

Daily Daily average   -   389

 

Year 1893

Annual Committed   -   6198

Daily   -  

 

Year 1898

Annual Committed   -   6443

Daily   -  

Principal Primary Sources

  • [Second] Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1820), p.58; 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.18; 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.12; 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.21; 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.28; 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.34; 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.11
  • Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1824, XIX.359), p.76; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1825, XXIII.1), p.86; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826, XXIV.1), p.82; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826-27, XIX.365), p.77; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1828, XX.327), p.82; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1829, XIX.1), p.68; Reports and Schedules Pursuant To Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830, XXIV.1), p.62; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830-31, XII.1), p.62; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1831-32. XXXIII.197), p.64; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1833, XXVIII.1), p.69; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1834, XLVI.1), p.64; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1835, XLIV.225), p.68; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1836, XLII.1), p.41; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837, XLV.1), p.44; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837-8, XLIII.227), p.43; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXXVIII.17), p.41; Reports Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.1), p.41; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1841, XVIII.1), p.43; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXXII.1), p.45; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1843, XLIII.1), p.50; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXXIX.403), p.45; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXXVII.417), p.46; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXXIV.187), p.47; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847, XLVII.297), p.53; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847-48, LII.465), p.56
  • Abstract Return of Establishment and Expenditure of Gaols and Houses of Correction in England and Wales (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.241), p.12
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Northumberland and Durham, Third Report (Parl. Papers, 1837-38, XXXI.299), p.130; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Northumberland and Durham, Fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXII.449), p.170; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Northumberland and Durham, Fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXV.721), p.32; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Northumberland and Durham, Sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1841 Session 2, V.413), p.20; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Northumberland and Durham, Seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXI.369), p.36; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Northumberland and Durham, Eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1843, XXV. & XXVI.441), p.91; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Northumberland and Durham, Ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXIX.973), p.61; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Northumberland and Durham, Eleventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1846, XX.461), p.74; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Northumberland and Durham, Twelfth Report (Parl. Papers, 1847, XXIX.381), p.136; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Northern District, Fourteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1849, XXVI.167), p.1; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Fifteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1850, XXVIII.793), p.69; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Sixteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1851, XXVII.837), p.69; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Seventeenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1852-53, LII.265), p.80; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Eighteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1852-53, LII.361), p.73; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Nineteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1854, XXXII.1), p.75; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Twentieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1854-55, XXVI.123), p.54; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Twenty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1856, XXXIII.657), p.59; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain IV. Scotland, Twenty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1857 Session 1, VII.505), p.58; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Northern District, Twenty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1857-58, XXIX.209), p.44; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Northern District, Twenty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1859, Session 1, XI.213), p.38; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Northern District, Twenty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1860, XXXV.381), p.27; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Northern District, Twenty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1863, XXIII.109), p.54; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Twenty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1864, XXVI.89), p.14; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirtieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1865, XXIII.257), p.21; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1866, XXXVII.233), p.23; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1867-68, XXXIV.1), p.17; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.1), p.20; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.529), p.20; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1872, XXXI.169), p.11; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1873, XXXII.337), p.18; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1874, XXIX.389), p.28; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1875, XXXVII.417), p.29; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Fortieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1876, XXXV.417), p.29; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Forty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1877, XLIII.421), p.29; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Forty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1878, XLI.417), p.29
  • Commissioners of Prisons, Second Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1878-79, XXXIV.1, 97), p.23; Commissioners of Prisons, Third Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1880, XXXV.1,73), p.29; Commissioners of Prisons, Fourth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1881, LI.441, 521), p.32; Commissioners of Prisons, Fifth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1882, XXXIII.443, 541), p.36; Commissioners of Prisons, Sixth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1883, XXXI.445, 579), p.40; Commissioners of Prisons, Seventh Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1884, XLII.461, 551), p.37; Commissioners of Prisons, Eighth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1884-85, XXXVII.527, 651), p.36; Commissioners of Prisons, Ninth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1886, XXXV.1, 93), p.32; Commissioners of Prisons, Tenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1887, XLI.203, 335), p.29; Commissioners of Prisons, Eleventh Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1888, LVIII.1, 209), p.29; Commissioners of Prisons, Twelfth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1889, XLI.1, 181), p.29; Commissioners of Prisons, Thirteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1890, XXXVII.1, 183), p.29; Commissioners of Prisons, Fourteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1890-91, XLIII.1, 125), p.28; Commissioners of Prisons, Fifteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1892, XLII.1, 147), p.27; Commissioners of Prisons, Sixteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1893-94, XLVII.1, 121), p.28; Commissioners of Prisons, Seventeenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1894, XLIV.1, 183), p.28; Commissioners of Prisons, Eighteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1895, LVI.727, 865), p.28
  • Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1895-96 (Parl. Papers, 1896, XLIV.235), p.73; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1896-97 (Parl. Papers, 1897, XL.105), p.213; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1897-98 (Parl. Papers, 1898, XLVII.23), p.233; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1898-99 (Parl. Papers, 1899, XLIII.65), p.228; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1899-1900 (Parl. Papers, 1900, XLI.1), p.264

Additional Primary Sources

  • William Parson & William White, History, Directory and Gazetteer of the Counties of Durham and Northumberland, Volume 1 (Leeds, 1827), pp. 184-5; Joseph John Gurney, Notes of a visit made to some of the prisons in Scotland and the north of England, in company with Elizabeth Fry: with some general observations on the subject of prison discipline (London, 1819), p. 10

Secondary Sources

  • Ruth Cranfield, 'Durham prisons in an age of change', Journal of the Durham County Local History Society, 28 (1982); Ruth Cranfield, 'Durham prisons in an age of change II: 1823-1827, part 1', Journal of the Durham County Local History Society, 31 (1983); Ruth Cranfield, 'Durham prisons in an age of change, II: 1823-1837, part 2', Journal of the Durham County Local History Society, 32 (1984); Ruth Cranfield, 'Durham prisons in an age of change, III: 1837-1867, part 1. A modified separate system', Journal of the Durham County Local History Society, 37 (1986); Ruth Cranfield, 'Durham prisons in an age of change, III: 1837-1867, part 2. Governor [William] Green and his officers', Journal of the Durham County Local History Society, 40 (1988); Ruth Cranfield, 'George Shaw ... Durham Prison surgeon, 1837-1878', Journal of the Durham County Local History Society, 44 (1990)

Management

Archive name: Berwick-upon-Tweed Record Office

Catalogue ref: BRO17/Box 4/21

Collection: None

Description: Durham Gaol Act

Dates: 1809-1811


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/X 1569/1

Collection: None

Description: Report from the Select Committee of the House of Lords on the present state of discipline in Gaols and Houses of Correction. Together with the proceedings of the Committee, minutes of evidence, and appendix. 

Dates: 1863


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: EP/Du.SO 112/23/1

Collection: None

Description: Return of the population of the Gaol and House of Correction at Durham

Dates: 1825


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/17/1-2

Collection: Durham Prison

Description: Prison rules and orders

Dates: Undated


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/17/3

Collection: Durham Prison

Description: Inspections' minute book

Dates: 1892-1935


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: Q/S/OB/16-37

Collection: Durham Quarter Sessions

Description: Order books: including orders relating to the Gaol and House of Correction, occasional special committees' reports such as the committee for new Gaol (1809-1820), material relating to prisoners' labour, prison rules, and the cost of transporting prisoners; Prison Governors', Chaplains' and Medical Officers' reports (1825 onwards); Visiting Justices' reports (1825 onwards)

Dates: 1798-1904


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/9/1

Collection: Durham Prison

Description: Visiting Committee minute book

Dates: 1894-1932


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: Q/A/C/11

Collection: Durham Quarter Sessions

Description: Miscellaneous committee minutes, include those for Prison and Visiting

Dates: 1880-1889


Finance

Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: CC/Tr 270

Collection: Durham County Council

Description: County Treasurer's Department loan account ledger relating to County Gaol, militia stores, and police superannuation fund (with index).

Dates: 1873-1887


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: Q/C/A/4

Collection: Durham Quarter Sessions

Description: Fees book, recording names of prisoners, costs and fees

Dates: 1865-1874


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: Q/F/10

Collection: Durham Quarter Sessions

Description: Special county rate for Gaol (1809); Orders for purchasing property for site of Gaol, and for levying rates (Jul 1809 - Apr 1816)

Dates: 1809-1816


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: Q/F/11

Collection: Durham Quarter Sessions

Description: Rate for new gaol. Assessments and receipts received from each parish

Dates: 1818-1820


Archive name: Tyne and Wear Archives

Catalogue ref: CH.KJH/9/2

Collection: None

Description: Rate for building a new Gaol and court house for the county of Durham

Dates: 1819


Staff

Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/13/2-3

Collection: Durham Prison

Description: Register of officers, Durham

Dates: 1897-1956


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/Lo/C 577

Collection: Londonberry Estate

Description: Londonderry estate letters, including one regarding appointment of the Gaol Chaplain

Dates: 1872


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: Du 1/31/222

Collection: None

Description: Letter from Thomas Macavoy of Durham complaining about improper language of a Gaoler when escorting a deserter to Gaol

Dates: 1839


Prisoners

Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/17/4

Collection: Durham Prison

Description: Register of deaths

Dates: 1879-1963


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/17/5

Collection: Durham Prison

Description: Register of habitual criminals and of persons sentenced to penal servitude who have been liberated between the 1 January and 31 December 1895

Dates: 1895


Archive name: The National Archives

Catalogue ref: PCOM2/303

Collection: Prison Commission

Description: Durham register of prisoners

Dates: 1848-1850


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: CCP 9/1-21

Collection: None

Description: Prisoners tried at Quarter Sessions and Assizes

Dates: 1857-1858, 1861-1881


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/Ph 482/1/1-8

Collection: None

Description: Copies of letters sent by Mary Ann Cotton from Durham Gaol

Dates: 1871-1873


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/St/C1/16/253

Collection: None

Description: Letter from William Tinmouth, Durham Gaol, to John Bowes concerning the qualification of a copyholder to vote in the election, and offers to vote for John Bowes

Dates: 1832


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/X 54/1

Collection: None

Description: Royal warrant of discharge from Durham Gaol

Dates: 1855


Archive name: Northumberland Archives

Catalogue ref: EP/79/212

Collection: Tweedmouth Parish records

Description: Letter from Alexander Martin, Shoe Maker at Durham Gaol offering support for case against Overseers

Dates: 1829


Archive name: Teesside Archives

Catalogue ref: U.DL/9/2

Collection: Darlington Library Collection

Description: Spare Minutes of Hartlepool 34 Years since and its Present State' by Mr R. O. Warwick of Hartlepool, late, a Warrant Officer in Her Majesty's Navy composed in Durham Gaol. In verse with account of his life at sea.

Dates: 1840


Archive name: Tyne and Wear Archives

Catalogue ref: DX1096/4

Collection: None

Description: Administration with will annexed of Joseph Southwell Stokes, deceased. The will was written while the testator was imprisoned in Durham Gaol awaiting trial. 

Dates: 1844


Land & Buildings

Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: CC/Arch 242-283

Collection: Durham County Council

Description: County Architect's Department, plans of Durham Gaol, 19th century (1850 onwards)

Dates: 19th century


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: CC/Deeds 15-18

Collection: Durham County Council

Description: Deeds and bonds relating to Durham Prison

Dates: 1776-1869


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/X 1207/1/564

Collection: None

Description: Schedule of deeds relating to messuages and a close in Old Elvet, sold by Reverend John Fawcett to the Quarter Sessions to build a new Gaol and House of Correction, and court houses

Dates: 1809


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/15/58-61

Collection: Durham Prison

Description: Prison plans, interiors

Dates: Undated


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/15/6-18

Collection: Durham Prison

Description: Prison plans, interiors

Dates: 1881-1898


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/15/62-63

Collection: Durham Prison

Description: Prison plans, Officers' facilities and houses

Dates: 1893-1896


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: Q/A/P/144

Collection: Durham Quarter Sessions

Description: County Surveyor and Architect. Plan of site of Durham Gaol transferred to Prison Commissioners.

Dates: 1887?


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: Q/A/P/1-95

Collection: Durham Quarter Sessions

Description: County Surveyor and Architect Durham Gaol Plans

Dates: 1858-1873


Archive name: The National Archives

Catalogue ref: PCOM7/114

Collection: Prison Commission

Description: Durham Prison: Ownership of wall dividing prison property and Gregson's Garth

Dates: 1895


Archive name: The National Archives

Catalogue ref: PCOM7/115

Collection: Prison Commission

Description: Durham Prison: Sale and purchase of land to and from Durham University as site for new prison hospital

Dates: 1897-1903


Images

Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/CL 27/277/1252-7

Collection: Durham Library Collection

Description: Photographs of the Old Gaol

Dates: 1988


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/CL 5/829

Collection: Durham Library Collection

Description: Photograph of Durham City, Assize courts and prison. View of frontage.

Dates: 1929


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/Ph 157/8

Collection: None

Description: Postcard of Old Elvet

Dates: c.1900


Other

Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/X 1271/1-7

Collection: None

Description: Papers relating to Dora Greenwell, poet and essayist (b.1821), who was involved in philanthropic work among the prisoners in Durham prison, and the inmates of the Workhouse

Dates: 20th century


Archive name: Durham County Record Office

Catalogue ref: EP/Be 14/2

Collection: None

Description: Justice's Justice: Workhouse v. Prison' - a new song on the case of an old woman sent to gaol for begging

Dates: Undated