Launceston Old County Gaol

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

Alternative Names   Launceston County Gaol, Launceston Gaol,

Prison Type   Local Prison -  Common Gaol, Lock Up

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   unknown

Date closed   c1830 [c1838]

Location   Launceston Castle   Launceston

Map location   exact or closely approximate

County   Cornwall

Critical Remarks

It is not known when the Castle was first used as a gaol. Its function as a county gaol ceased in about 1830, though the cells continued to be used as a lock up when the Assizes were held in Launceston, until c1838.

Prison Info

Alternative Names   Launceston County Gaol, Launceston Gaol,

Prison Type   Local Prison

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   unknown

Date closed   c1830 [c1838]

Location   Launceston Castle   Launceston

Map location   exact or closely approximate
Lat.   50.6376342  Long.   -4.3624768

County   Cornwall

Critical Remarks

It is not known when the Castle was first used as a gaol. Its function as a county gaol ceased in about 1830, though the cells continued to be used as a lock up when the Assizes were held in Launceston, until c1838.

Prisoner Statistics

 

Year 1818

Annual Committed   -   38

Daily Greatest number   -   25

 

Year 1823

Annual Committed   -   16

Daily Census   -   3

 

Year 1828

Annual Committed   -   7

Daily Census   -   7

Principal Primary Sources

  • James Neild, The State of the Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales (London, 1812), p.330
  • Account of Gaols, Houses of Correction or Penitentiaries in the United Kingdom, 1818 (Parl. Papers, 1819, XVII.371), p.6
  • 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.18; 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.17
  • Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1824, XIX.359), p.50; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1825, XXIII.1), p.48; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826, XXIV.1), p.48; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826-27, XIX.365), p.42; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1828, XX.327), p.50
  • Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (1829, XIX.401), p.22
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Second Report (Parl. Papers, 1837, XXXII.659), p.44

Staff

Archive name: Cornwall Record Office

Catalogue ref: QS/1/11/467-487

Collection: Cornwall Quarter Sessions

Description: Pension granted to Mrs Mules, for long service at Launceston Gaol

Dates: 1829


Land & Buildings

Archive name: Cornwall Record Office

Catalogue ref: X507/8

Collection: None

Description: Mainly Launceston deeds. Including Launceston Castle, including building formerly used as Gaol (1843-1844).

Dates: 1868