Lewes Gaol

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

Alternative Names   Lewes County Gaol, Lewes Prison, HMP Lewes

Prison Type   Local Prison -  Common Gaol

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1854

Date closed   post 1900 (still open)

Location   Brighton Road   Lewes

Map location   exact or closely approximate

County   Sussex

Prison Info

Alternative Names   Lewes County Gaol, Lewes Prison, HMP Lewes

Prison Type   Local Prison

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1854

Date closed   post 1900 (still open)

Location   Brighton Road   Lewes

Map location   exact or closely approximate
Lat.   50.8725  Long.   -0.0059

County   Sussex

Prisoner Statistics

 

Year 1858

Annual Committed   -   1316

Daily Daily average   -   209

 

Year 1863

Annual Committed   -   1351

Daily Greatest number   -   258

 

Year 1868

Annual Committed   -   1542

Daily Daily average   -   203

 

Year 1873

Annual Committed   -   1383

Daily Daily average   -   184

 

Year 1878

Annual Committed   -   1760

Daily Daily average   -   275

 

Year 1883

Annual Committed   -   1651

Daily Daily average   -   240

 

Year 1888

Annual Committed   -   1852

Daily Daily average   -   240

 

Year 1893

Annual Committed   -   1624

Daily   -  

 

Year 1898

Annual Committed   -   1720

Daily   -  

Principal Primary Sources

  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1857-58, XXIX.69), p.122; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1860, XXXV.153), p.69; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1862, XXV.5), p.78; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1864, XXVI.1), p.79; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirtieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1865, XXIII.1), p.228; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1866, XXXVII.1), p.203; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1867-68, XXXIV.203), p.277; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1868-69, XXIX.1), p.192; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1870, XXXVII.1), p.199; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.241), p.255; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1872, XXXI.1), p.145; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1873, XXXII.1), p.299; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1874, XXIX.1), p.344; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1875, XXXVII.1), p.370; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Fortieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1876, XXXV.1), p.368; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1877, XLIII.1), p.372; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1878, XLI.1), p.368
  • Commissioners of Prisons, Second Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1878-79, XXXIV.1, 97), p.43; Commissioners of Prisons, Third Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1880, XXXV.1,73), p.53; Commissioners of Prisons, Fourth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1881, LI.441, 521), p.55; Commissioners of Prisons, Fifth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1882, XXXIII.443, 541), p.61; Commissioners of Prisons, Sixth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1883, XXXI.445, 579), p.65; Commissioners of Prisons, Seventh Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1884, XLII.461, 551), p.62; Commissioners of Prisons, Eighth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1884-85, XXXVII.527, 651), p.62; Commissioners of Prisons, Ninth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1886, XXXV.1, 93), p.57; Commissioners of Prisons, Tenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1887, XLI.203, 335), p.53; Commissioners of Prisons, Eleventh Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1888, LVIII.1, 209), p.52; Commissioners of Prisons, Twelfth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1889, XLI.1, 181), p.52; Commissioners of Prisons, Thirteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1890, XXXVII.1, 183), p.52; Commissioners of Prisons, Fourteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1890-91, XLIII.1, 125), p.50; Commissioners of Prisons, Fifteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1892, XLII.1, 147), p.48; Commissioners of Prisons, Sixteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1893-94, XLVII.1, 121), p.47; Commissioners of Prisons, Seventeenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1894, XLIV.1, 183), p.46; Commissioners of Prisons, Eighteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1895, LVI.727, 865), p.48
  • Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1895-96 (Parl. Papers, 1896, XLIV.235), p.117; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1896-97 (Parl. Papers, 1897, XL.105), p.259; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1897-98 (Parl. Papers, 1898, XLVII.23), p.286; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1898-99 (Parl. Papers, 1899, XLIII.65), p.290; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1899-1900 (Parl. Papers, 1900, XLI.1), p.331

Management

Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: AMS 6762

Collection: Courthope papers

Description: Correspondence notes numbers of prisoners in the east and west divisions, visits to the new Gaol, comments on individual cases, and other 'criminal business'

Dates: 1845-1852


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: DR/B 32/3

Collection: Rother District Council

Description: Duplicate contract between the Justices of the eastern division of Sussex and the Justices of the Borough of Rye for the receiving, supporting and maintaining of prisoners committed from Rye in the Gaol and House of Correction at Lewes

Dates: 1868


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/2/10/1-2

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions

Description: Miscellaneous papers. Including reports on the new prison, staffing, correspondence etc

Dates: 1815-1887


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/2/27

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions

Description: Orders of Quarter Sessions to build a new Gaol and House of Correction, Minutes of the Committee, accounts

Dates: 1847-1884


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/2/29

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions

Description: Memoranda, draft letters and contracts

Dates: 1848-1855


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/2/30/1-3

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions

Description: Correspondence

Dates: 1848-1854


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/2/35

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions

Description: Minutes of Building Committee

Dates: 1860-1869


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/2/4/7-10

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions

Description: Reports and returns

Dates: 1853-1879


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/2/6

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions

Description: Contracts for supplies and maintenance

Dates: 1849-1856


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QCC/6

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions

Description: Copy case and opinion as to contract for maintenance of Brighton Borough prisoners in Lewes Gaol

Dates: 1866


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: SEA 130

Collection: Seaford Corporation

Description: Agreement for the receiving, supporting and maintaining such prisoners from Seaford as are committed to the House of Correction at Lewes.

Dates: 1868


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: ACC 3609

Collection: None

Description: Lewes Prison, Visiting Justices' minute books

Dates: 1875-1878


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/2/9

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions

Description: Appointment of Visiting Justices

Dates: 1862-1878


Finance

Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: AMS 5743

Collection: Davey and Son of Lewes, Plumbers, Painters and Glaziers

Description: The estimate books (1870-1950) contain the detail and terms of the more important contracts, including Lewes Prison

Dates: 1855-1964


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: HC 4/37

Collection: None

Description: Printed sessions papers - account for building new Gaol and House of Correction (the present Lewes House of Correction)

Dates: 1854-1866


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: HOOK 22/12/21, 22

Collection: Archive of Poole Family

Description: Papers concerning Lewes Gaol, including a note of money borrowed for extensions and the general financial situation

Dates: 1870


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/2/34/1-2

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions

Description: Treasurer's accounts with vouchers (for construction of the new prison)

Dates: 1849-1854


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: WIN 1661-1687

Collection: Winchelsea Corporation

Description: Quarterly accounts and receipts for sums paid for the maintenance of Winchelsea prisoners in the County Gaols at Lewes and Battle

Dates: 1823-1866


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: DL/D 293/11/7

Collection: Lewes District Council

Description: Printed abstract of accounts relating to the new Gaol and House of Correction at Lewes, issued by William V. Langridge, Clerk to the Committee

Dates: 1854


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: G/8/13/5

Collection: None

Description: Clerk of the Peace to E. Paine, Clerk of the Union, concerning the cost of the new Prison at Lewes. Estimated at £1,000 yearly over 30 years.

Dates: 1849


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/2/33/1-2

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions

Description: Bills (contractor; of clerk to committee)

Dates: 1848-1854


Staff

Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: DH/B 136/661

Collection: Hastings Borough Council

Description: Letter from John Sanders, Governor of the Sussex County Prisons, Lewes regarding accommodation of Hastings prisoners in Lewes County Gaol and House of Correction

Dates: 1856


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: DH/B 136/824

Collection: Hastings Borough Council

Description: Application to join the Police force from John Thomas Ancell, Lewes Gaol, to the Hastings Watch Committee

Dates: 1857


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/1/5

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions

Description: Letters concerning pensions of Prison officers. Letters from Prison Commissioners stating amount due from the County on service done before 1878.

Dates: 1878-1910


Prisoners

Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: AMS 6930/6

Collection: Brighton Money Advice and Community Support

Description: Applications for relief. Includes applications from former prisoners at Lewes Gaol

Dates: 1872-1928


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: AMS 6995

Collection: None

Description: Lewes Prison, photographs of prisoners. The prisoner's number has been quoted in the description.

Dates: 1897-1913


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: OBIT/1/37/101

Collection: None

Description: Obituaries / reports of inquests of prisoners, including at Lewes, from the Sussex Agricultural Express

Dates: 1870s-1880s


Archive name: West Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: Add Mss 19152

Collection: Stone family of Capel, Surrey, and Horsham and Warnham

Description: Letter from Eli Walder, a prisoner in Lewes Gaol, written on the back of Prison rules and regulations, and copy of correspondence concerning his plight

Dates: 1872


Land & Buildings

Archive name: Birmingham Archives & Collections

Catalogue ref: MS 1421

Collection: Records of Daniel Rowlinson Hill and Daniel Shenton Hill, Architects, of Birmingham

Description: Includes the the diaries of Daniel Rowlinson Hill, with some papers relating to his designs for Prisons in Birmingham, Lewes and Surrey. Also, pencil sketches and watercolours by both D. R. Hill and his son Daniel Shenton Hill.

Dates: 1800-1900


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: ABE/26K

Collection: None

Description: Pasturage rights at Spital Laine, Lewes, sold to the Prison Commissioners

Dates: 1881


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: ACC 3412/3/853

Collection: None

Description: Plan and sections of land for the new Prison at Lewes

Dates: c.1850


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: ACC 5611/2/611

Collection: None

Description: Plan of land in Lewes showing proposed enlargement of County Gaol for Mr I. Gell

Dates: 1880


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: ACC 5611/2/99

Collection: None

Description: Tracing of proposed road from County Gaol to Winterbourne Stream (Lewes St Anne) for Mr Jeffrey the younger

Dates: 1868


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: ACC 6497/4/7

Collection: None

Description: Estimates for building new Gaol at Lewes, submitted by 18 firms for brick and flint work

Dates: c.1848-1850


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: C/R 4/1

Collection: East Sussex County Council

Description: Surveyors' department. Memoranda and accounts relating to work, including for the County Gaol

Dates: 1888


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/2/28

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions

Description: Committee minutes and papers (architect's reports, tenders, correspondence)

Dates: 1848-1853


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: QAP/2/31-32

Collection: Sussex Quarter Sessions

Description: Tenders and contracts (regarding construction of new prison)

Dates: 1848-1853


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: R/A 2/516/ 

Collection: East Sussex County Council

Description: Including Lewes new Prison, Brighton Road. Plans of premises and grounds.

Dates: 1820-1867


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: R/A 2/516/20-30

Collection: East Sussex County Council

Description: Lewes new Prison, Brighton Road. Plans and elevations of the interior and exterior of the Prison, one with annotations stating that the design is based on the 'Model Prison Pentonville'.

Dates: 1848-1852


Images

Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: ACC 11890/15/3/7/3

Collection: None

Description: Postcard showing Lewes Prison and surrounding fields

Dates: c.1901


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: ACC 9581/1

Collection: None

Description: Panoramic photograph of Lewes. Inclused Lewes Prison

Dates: c.1880-1890


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: ACC 9657/1/7

Collection: None

Description: Joseph Shelley's windmill and Lewes Prison

Dates: c.1870


Archive name: East Sussex Record Office

Catalogue ref: ACC 9657/9

Collection: None

Description: Lewes Sheep Fair in front of Lewes Prison

Dates: 1888


Other

Archive name: Surrey History Centre

Catalogue ref: 7408/1

Collection: None

Description: Account book of George Carew Gibson of Bradstone Brook House, Shalford. Includes account of a visit to the County Prison (Lewes, built 1854).

Dates: 1853-1855