Hertford County Gaol and House of Correction

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

Alternative Names   Hertford County Gaol and Bridewell, Hertford County Gaol

Prison Type   Local Prison -  Common Gaol

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1777

Date closed   1878

Location   south side Ware Road   Hertford

Map location   exact or closely approximate

County   Hertfordshire

Critical Remarks

From 1834, incoporates the Hertford County House of Correction (ID 32), which was located on the same site. In c1790, also incorporated the Hertford Borough Gaol (ID 175), located in an extension/ separate ward.

Prison Info

Alternative Names   Hertford County Gaol and Bridewell, Hertford County Gaol

Prison Type   Local Prison

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1777

Date closed   1878

Location   south side Ware Road   Hertford

Map location   exact or closely approximate
Lat.   51.8013378  Long.   -0.0576916

County   Hertfordshire

Critical Remarks

From 1834, incoporates the Hertford County House of Correction (ID 32), which was located on the same site. In c1790, also incorporated the Hertford Borough Gaol (ID 175), located in an extension/ separate ward.

Prisoner Statistics

 

Year 1818

Annual Committed   -   178

Daily Greatest number   -   84

 

Year 1823

Annual Committed   -   135

Daily Census   -   165

 

Year 1828

Annual Committed   -   160

Daily Census   -   181

 

Year 1833

Annual Committed   -   226

Daily Census   -   269

 

Year 1838

Annual Confined   -   831

Daily Census   -   59

 

Year 1843

Annual Confined   -   811

Daily Census   -   74

 

Year 1848

Annual Confined   -   966

Daily Daily average   -   119

 

Year 1853

Annual Confined   -   772

Daily Daily average   -   114

 

Year 1858

Annual Committed   -   694

Daily Daily average   -   109

 

Year 1863

Annual Committed   -   813

Daily Greatest number   -   139

 

Year 1868

Annual Committed   -   822

Daily Daily average   -   92

 

Year 1873

Annual Committed   -   639

Daily Daily average   -   69

 

Year 1878

Annual Committed   -   21

Daily Daily average   -   0

Principal Primary Sources

  • James Neild, The State of the Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales (London, 1812), p.270
  • Account of Gaols, Houses of Correction or Penitentiaries in the United Kingdom, 1818 (Parl. Papers, 1819, XVII.371), p.20
  • [Second] Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1820), p.21; 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.28; 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.25; 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.40; 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.46; 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.57; 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.17
  • Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1824, XIX.359), p.130; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1825, XXIII.1), p.118; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826, XXIV.1), p.120; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826-27, XIX.365), p.112; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1828, XX.327), p.123; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1829, XIX.1), p.114; Reports and Schedules Pursuant To Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830, XXIV.1), p.112; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830-31, XII.1), p.108; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1831-32. XXXIII.197), p.110; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1833, XXVIII.1), p.115; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1834, XLVI.1), p.106; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1835, XLIV.225), p.110; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1836, XLII.1), p.71; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837, XLV.1), p.74; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837-8, XLIII.227), p.72; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXXVIII.17), p.64; Reports Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.1), p.71; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1841, XVIII.1), p.73; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXXII.1), p.71; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1843, XLIII.1), p.80; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXXIX.403), p.76; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXXVII.417), p.89; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXXIV.187), p.81; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847, XLVII.297), p.91; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847-48, LII.465), p.88
  • 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.358; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Third Report (Parl. Papers, 1837-38, XXX.1), p.312; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXI.1), p.181; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXV.1), p.88; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1841 Session 2, IV.1), p.150; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1842, XX.1), p.119; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Tenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXIII.1), p.222; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Fourteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1850, XXVIII.1), p.91; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Fifteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1851, XXVII.1), p.106; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1857-58, XXIX.69), p.42; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1860, XXXV.153), p.26; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1862, XXV.5), p.41; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1864, XXVI.1), p.36; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirtieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1865, XXIII.1), p.111; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1866, XXXVII.1), p.98; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1867-68, XXXIV.203), p.132; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1868-69, XXIX.1), p.89; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1870, XXXVII.1), p.103; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.241), p.128; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1872, XXXI.1), p.78; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1873, XXXII.1), p.149; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1874, XXIX.1), p.170; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1875, XXXVII.1), p.187; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Fortieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1876, XXXV.1), p.187; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1877, XLIII.1), p.190; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1878, XLI.1), p.190

Secondary Sources

  • http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/herts/vol3/pp490-501, http://www.hertford.net/history/gaol.php

Management

Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/GP/6-9

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Quarterly returns of the County Gaol and House of Correction, with some governors' certificates

Dates: 1821-1864


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/58/11

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Governors' reports and certificates - Hertford Gaol

Dates: 1861


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/GC/1

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: County Gaol Committee minutes

Dates: 1864-1878


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/GC/2

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Hertford Prison Committee minutes

Dates: 1879-1888


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/GP/10

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Extracts from printed Government reports relating to returns concerning gaols

Dates: 1823-1825


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/GP/11

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Annual returns and reports to the Secretary of State

Dates: 1825-1845


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/GP/13

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Blank form for bills for dieting of prisoners capitally convicted and for transportation

Dates: undated


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/GP/17

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Home Office Reports

Dates: 1858, 1862


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/109/B/16

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Treasury Order for payment for maintenance of prisoners

Dates: 1873


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/109/B/18

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Order of Sessions for money to be advanced for 'Industrial Labour'.

Dates: 1874


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/109/B/20

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Order of Sessions for sale of Hertford Prison.

Dates: 1879


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/58/12

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Special Report on Prison Discipline. Herts Quarter Sessions

Dates: 1864


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/58/14

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Questionnaries etc re hard labour

Dates: 1865


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/58/15

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Home office circular re Prison returns

Dates: 1866


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/58/5-6

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Prison Returns, Hertford (returns and questionnaire)

Dates: 1855, 1858, 1863


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/114/7-9

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Clerk to Visiting Justices of County Gaol: fees, salary, superannuation

Dates: 1857, 1872-1873


Finance

Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/GP/14

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Receipted Accounts

Dates: 1742-1846


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/GP/16

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Papers relating to financial claims by the County in connection with the transfer of the prison to the Crown

Dates: 1878-1879


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/109/A

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Various accounts, schedules of payments, some undated.

Dates: 1850-1870


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/57/13

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Prisoners Maintenance account. (Treasury order County of Hertford)

Dates: 1859-1868


Daily Business

Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/GJ/1-6

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Governor's Journals.

Dates: 1834-1878


Staff

Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/GP/12

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Papers relating to appointment of chaplain

Dates: 1836-1838


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/109/B/7

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Order of Sessions for annuity of £75 to Lieut. G.P. Duins, late Governor of Gaol

Dates: 1845


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/57/5

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Discharge of Gaoler

Dates: 1836


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/109/B/11-15, 17, 19

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: County Treasurers' papers relating to the Gaol. Order of Sessions for staff appointments and salaries (matron, governor, warders etc)

Dates: 1868-1875


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/109/B/21

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Letter from Clerk of the Peace to Treasurer re pensions for prison officer.

Dates: 1882


Prisoners

Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/109/B/2-6

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: List and account of convicts transport

Dates: 1838-1841


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DE/Bi/2/28

Collection: Papers, volumes and views concerning the history of Berkhamsted, Mr Birtchnell's files.

Description: General notes on the history of Berkhamsted, including notes about Thomas Kempster, hanged for poaching, who wrote a lament from Gaol

Dates: 1895-1934


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DE/X 877/1

Collection: None

Description: Portrait of Thomas Simmons, drawn from life at Hertford Gaol when awaiting execution

Dates: 1807


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/57/14

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Prisoners Photographs. [ ]

Dates: 1870


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: SH2/2/1-2

Collection: None

Description: Assignment of County Gaol and inmates

Dates: 1798-1865


Land & Buildings

Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: D/Z51

Collection: None

Description: Papers relating to the development of the site of the former County Gaol, Hertford. Including sale particulars of the County Gaol and Chaplain's house, garden house and land, several maps, duplicate deeds, and supporting documents.

Dates: 1879-1918


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/109/B/1

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Chaplain's House. Sun Fire Office Insurance Policy, 1844-45. Also contractor's account

Dates: 1844-1845


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/58/17

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Case for Counsel's opinion, with copy of reply, concerning the liability to pay rates on the Chaplain's House

Dates: 1845


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/58/8

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Miscellaneous Sessions documents relating to prisons - purchase of land from Christ's Hospital for Gaol Chaplain's house

Dates: 1844


Archive name: Hertford Museum

Catalogue ref: DE/Hx/E242

Collection: None

Description: Sale particulars, County Gaol and Governor's house, the Chaplain's house adjoining, with plan

Dates: 1879


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/GP/1A-B

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: County Gaol at Hertford, documents on land and buildings

Dates: 1592-1844


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/GP/4

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Report of Committee to Quarter Sessions about alterations to Gaol and House of Correction with estimates

Dates: 1819


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/109/B/8

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: County Treasurers' papers - Letter from Sun Fire Office [insurance], enclosing plan of gaol

Dates: 1863


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/109/B/9

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: County Treasurers' papers - rough sketch of Gaol

Dates: 1844-1845


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/58/13

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Papers concerning agreement for alterations, Hertford County Gaol

Dates: 1865


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/89/1

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Plans and correspondence re sewer for Gaol to New River Sewer.

Dates: 1859


Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: QS/Misc/B/58/18

Collection: Hertfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Governor's letters about visiting justices recommendations about cells and buildings

Dates: 1841


Images

Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: D/EOf/3/407

Collection: None

Description: Views of 'Enterance to the County Goal' and 'Enterance to the County House of Correction'. In colour.

Dates: c.1700-1800


Other

Archive name: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: D/EGr/Box 39

Collection: The William Blyth Gerish collection

Description: Cuttings about Hertford Gaol

Dates: c.1898-1915