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.

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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

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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

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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

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