Alternative Names Maidstone County Gaol, Maidstone Prison, HMP Maidstone
Prison Type Local Prison - Common Gaol & House of Correction/Bridewell
Jurisdiction County
Date opened 1819
Date closed post 1900 (still open)
Location County Road Maidstone
Map location exact or closely approximate
County Kent
Alternative Names Maidstone County Gaol, Maidstone Prison, HMP Maidstone
Prison Type Local Prison
Jurisdiction County
Date opened 1819
Date closed post 1900 (still open)
Location County Road Maidstone
Map location exact or closely approximate
Lat. 51.279167 Long. 0.523889
County Kent
Year 1824
Annual Committed - 1590
Daily Census - 279
Year 1828
Annual Committed - 1540
Daily Census - 311
Year 1833
Annual Committed - 2008
Daily Census - 403
Year 1838
Annual Confined - 2431
Daily Census - 315
Year 1843
Annual Confined - 4541
Daily Census - 453
Year 1848
Annual Confined - 3462
Daily Daily average - 451
Year 1853
Annual Confined - 3478
Daily Daily average - 434
Year 1858
Annual Committed - 3463
Daily Daily average - 535
Year 1863
Annual Committed - 3243
Daily Greatest number - 528
Year 1868
Annual Committed - 3512
Daily Daily average - 442
Year 1873
Annual Committed - 3799
Daily Daily average - 418
Year 1878
Annual Committed - 2831
Daily Daily average - 401
Year 1883
Annual Committed - 2320
Daily Daily average - 252
Year 1888
Annual Committed - 2071
Daily Daily average - 183
Year 1893
Annual Committed - 2120
Daily -
Year 1898
Annual Committed - 2145
Daily -
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/GCg/2
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Prison Accommodation Committees: Report of the Committee (1875), and reports of the Governor (1874-1878) and chaplains (186901877)
Dates: 1869-1878
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U1515/OQ/B3H
Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts
Description: Report, apparently from Governor of Maidstone prison (1843)Â
Dates: 1842-1854
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/GGz/4
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Annual returns of the Keepers of the two Gaols to the Secretary of State under the Acts of George IV and Victoria
Dates: 1839-1856
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Md/JQg/8
Collection: Maidstone Borough
Description: Writ to Gaoler to produce prisoners
Dates: 1853
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/AGw/5
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Reports of Visitors to the Gaol
Dates: 1814-1821
Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre
Catalogue ref: 152M/C/1813/OH/23-30
Collection: Addington family, Viscounts Sidmouth
Description: Maidstone Prison. Kent Gaol Bill, and correspondence of Lord Sydney.
Dates: 1813
Archive name: Devon Heritage Centre
Catalogue ref: 152M/C/1813/OH23-30
Collection: Addington family, Viscounts Sidmouth
Description: Correspondence on the new Gaol at Maidstone, on the Gaol Bill, petitions for building the new Gaol, and number of internees for various offences.
Dates: 1813
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: P184/18/11
Collection: Hever parish records
Description: Papers concerning the erection of a new County Gaol, consisting of the resolutions made by representatives from most parishes concerning the establishment of a Committee
Dates: 1812
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: P406/19/4
Collection: Wrotham parish records
Description: Overseers - circular letter on behalf of Lord John Russell for a return of number of wives and children paupers committed to gaol under Poor Law Amendment Act
Dates: 1835
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: PC/M5
Collection: Maidstone Gaol
Description: Correspondence, returns of prisoners, and Mayor's reports regarding the Gaol, including a letter from Whitehall requesting a return of persons committed under the Vagrant LawsÂ
Dates: 1824-1831
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/GB/20
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Prison documents (West Kent). Includes dietary tables, memorial of the School Master at the Gaol (concerning a pay rise).
Dates: 1837-1838
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/GB/37
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Estimate for Prison for females at MaidstoneÂ
Dates: 1854-1855
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/GCg/1, 3
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Prison Accommodation Committees: Minutes and reports
Dates: 1857-1858
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/GGw/4
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Miscellaneous papers. Including statements of prison establishment, 1852-4, and printed papers about the enlargement of the gaols, 1844-6
Dates: 1844-1862
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/GGz/1
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Agreements for maintenance of prisoners of other authorities
Dates: 1824-1871
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/SBw/248
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Sessions papers, including agreement with Canterbury for maintenance of prisoners
Dates: 1861
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/SBz/33
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Notice of termination of agreement with Dover for maintenance of prisoners
Dates: 1868
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U1515/C45
Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts
Description: Miscellaneous business, including theft of blankets from Maidstone gaol, alleged perquisite of staff; turnkey building boat; draft resolution of Committee of Enquiry [? of Quarter Sessions] into grave allegations.
Dates: 1858
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U1515/OQ/A2
Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts
Description: Documents relating to the proposed new Gaol at Maidstone, and Court of General Sessions for Kent. Also, copies of magistrates' resolutions, some being from East Kent. Also, copy of Maidstone Journal containing several advertisements relative to the proposed Gaol (1810-1813).Â
Dates: 1810-1813
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U1515/OQ/A3-A4
Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts
Description: Memorial to Romney by landowners against proposed Gaol (c.1810), and resolution against new Gaol by Chatham Guardians of the Poor (1812)Â
Dates: 1810-1812
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U1515/OQ/A7-A8
Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts
Description: Correspondence surrounding the building of the new Gaol and Court House at Maidstone, including opinion of Counsel, animosity between East and West Kent etc
Dates: 1810-1814
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U1515/OQ/A8E
Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts
Description: Allocation of cost of Gaol between landlords and tenants, discussion of various points of Bill
Dates: 1813
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U1515/OQ/B5D
Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts
Description: To Romney from Inspector of Prisons. Not satisfied with cells at Maidstone and Canterbury.
Dates: 1866
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U2639/O2
Collection: Papers of the Reverend Montagu Pennington, Justice of the Peace
Description: Printed copy of petition of supporters of Bill presented to House of Commons for a new Kent GaolÂ
Dates: 1813
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U2639/Z1
Collection: Papers of the Reverend Montagu Pennington, Justice of the Peace
Description: Newspaper cuttings on new County Gaol at Maidstone (5 June 1812, 21 July 1812)Â
Dates: 1812
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U3708/1/C1
Collection: None
Description: Copy letter from the Warden's office at Maidstone Gaol to H. Hobhouse, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Home Office concerning returns of Prisoners at Maidstone Gaol
Dates: 1823
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U951/C50
Collection: Knatchbull Manuscripts
Description: The Kentish Gazette. Contains question and answer regarding the petitions for the new Goal
Dates: 1812
Archive name: Medway Archives Centre
Catalogue ref: 1227-1974/RCA L4 08
Collection: Rochester City Council
Description: Includes agreement for maintenance of prisoners in the County Prison in Maidstone.Â
Dates: 1842
Archive name: Medway Archives Centre
Catalogue ref: 1227-1974/RCA N5 03 01 03
Collection: Rochester City Council
Description: Order to contract for the maintenance of borough prisoners at the County gaol, Maidstone
Dates: 1842
Archive name: The National Archives
Catalogue ref: PCOM7/225
Collection: Prison Commission
Description: Warrants constituting and appointing Convict Prisons etc. Places for confinement of offenders under sentence or order of Penal Servitude: Maidstone Prison (part) males only
Dates: 1890-1905
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U1515/OQ/C3
Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts
Description: Letters to Romney on a variety of County business, principally from H. A. Wildes, Clerk of Peace. Conveyance of prisoners to Maidstone by rail and omnibus.Â
Dates: 1854-1856
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/C/A/3
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Prison Rules laid down regarding Visiting Committees, juvenile offenders, and generally correspondence from Home Office
Dates: 1878-1932
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/GCz/2
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Includes report of a Joint Committee of Visiting Justices to the County Prisons (index at front)Â
Dates: 1855-1864
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: P184/18/12
Collection: Hever parish records
Description: Rates and accounts concerning the new gaol.
Dates: 1814-1822
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: P192/18/1
Collection: Horsmonden parish records
Description: Gaol rate book containing assessments made for the building of gaol and court house at Maidstone
Dates: 1815-1820
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: P309/11/21-23
Collection: New Romney St Nicholas parish records
Description: County rates, assessments and accounts for Gaols at Maidstone and Canterbury (microfilm)Â
Dates: 1818-1860
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: P45/11/7
Collection: Brenchley parish records
Description: Rates for building the new Gaol, House of Correction and Court Houses at Maidstone, as walked by the by the Vicar and the impropriatorÂ
Dates: 1815-1820
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/F/Aw/1
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Abstract of Accounts, West Kent: Index at front; includes expenses of building new Gaol
Dates: 1803-1814
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/FGw/1-23
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Receipts, treasurer's accounts and accounts submitted by the Architect and contracting tradesmen for work done at the new Gaol (the different contractors are catalogued individually). Also journal of payments and works ledger.
Dates: 1811-1819
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/GFg/1-6
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Payments and (printed) abstracts of expenditure on account of the county prison at Maidstone with schedules of bills paid and returns and classifications of prisoners
Dates: 1822-1877
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U1515/E44
Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts
Description: Possible investment in Oxford County stock issued for building gaol and court house. Correspondence of Romney with Robert Marsham.
Dates: 1840
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U1515/OQ/A9B and A9C
Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts
Description: Accounts for new gaol at Maidstone, apparently private notes by Romney, and Accounts and vouchers, including account for gaol expenses at Maidstone
Dates: 1810-1814
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: PC/M3
Collection: Maidstone Gaol
Description: Keepers journal - 'The Account of the Punishment of Prisoners Misbehaving thareselves'. From 1822, it continues for the new Gaol at Maidstone, and follows on from PC/M2
Dates: 1814-1824
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/GB/70
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Prison dietaries
Dates: 1867
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: PC/M2
Collection: Maidstone Gaol
Description: Gaolers journal. Includes a register of duties performed, punishments and special occurrences, or log book, referring to debtors as well as felons.
Dates: 1814–1822
Archive name: Canterbury Cathedral Archives
Catalogue ref: DCb/F/F/M/12-17
Collection: Diocese of Canterbury
Description: Licences for Chaplains at Maidstone County Prison
Dates: 1859-1897
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/GB/57
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Application to be appointed Catholic Chaplain to the Prison
Dates: 1864
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U1515/OQ/B5B-B5E
Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts
Description: Maidstone prison Chaplain, letters to Romney and others
Dates: 1851-1871
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U1515/C63
Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts
Description: From H. (?Fletcher) at Government House, Ottawa. Recommends Legge as Governor of Maidstone Prison.
Dates: 1874
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U1515/OQ/B4
Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts
Description: Governorship of Maidstone Prison. Letters to Romney, note of financial irregularities. Also, Governor's appeal against dismissal, applications for post, one being from Deputy, offering to serve at reduced salary.Â
Dates: 1859
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U311/Z10
Collection: None
Description: Sketches taken in Maidstone Court by Captain Wilson, Governor of the Gaol
Dates: 1876
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/GGw/3
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Enquiries concerning alleged irregularities on the part of the Gaol Keeper, and copies of evidence. Keeper's defence, reports of Visiting Justices and investigating committee.
Dates: 1858-1859
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: PC/M1
Collection: Maidstone Gaol
Description: Convict book - register arranged annually by Sheriffs of all convicts
Dates: 1805–1833
Archive name: Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery
Catalogue ref: 6277-6302
Collection: None
Description: Prison registers (from Canterbury and Maidstone prisons, but sometimes not clear which prison for each book)
Dates: 1880-1900
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: EK/U204/Z2
Collection: None
Description: Draft return of prisoners committed for trial at the General Sessions at Maidstone in 1826Â
Dates: 1827
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Ly/6/4/2-4
Collection: Lydd Borough
Description: Gaol delivery and papers relating to the maintenance of Lydd prisoners in the County GaolÂ
Dates: 1824-1859
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: P321/16/10
Collection: Sandhurst St Nicholas parish records
Description: Overseers' correspondence regarding prisoners in Maidstone Gaol requesting assistanceÂ
Dates: c.1833
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U221/O/1
Collection: Honywood Manuscripts
Description: Commission of Gaol delivery for Kent
Dates: 1826
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U3708
Collection: None
Description: Letter regarding prisoners at Maidstone GaolÂ
Dates: 1823
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/GAc/7
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Lease of part of forecourt of Sessions House, Maidstone, used as a garden by Prison Chaplain
Dates: 1880
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: MAI 103-106
Collection: Print Collection
Description: Maidstone Prison and courtyard.
Dates: 1829
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/AGw/10-14
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: The building of the new Gaol at Maidstone. Contents include plan of the land to be purchased for the new Gaol, accounts to Daniel Alexander for design and to other contractors, investigations into fraud relating to the contracting, petitions against the new gaol
Dates: 1800-1822
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/AGw/15/1-127
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: The building of the new gaol at Maidstone. Plans.
Dates: 1812-1818
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/Agw/16/1-5
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: West Kent Gaol at Maidstone. Plans connected with alterations to the manufactory, the building of the female Prison, and erection of a treadmill.
Dates: 1820-1824
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/Agw/17-25
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: West Kent Gaol at Maidstone. Title deeds of site purchased for Gaol and Sessions House.
Dates: 19th century
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/AGw/2
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Extracts from sessions orders about the building of a new Gaol, with architects' reports, orders for payment, and reports of the Committee investigating the accounts. Also, plans of possible sites.
Dates: 1805-1823
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/AGw/3
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: The building of the new Gaol at Maidstone. Copies of contracts for constructional work. At end, reversed, extracts of orders for payment.Â
Dates: 1810-1823
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/AGw/4
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: The building of the new Gaol at Maidstone. Architect's reports
Dates: 1810-1819
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/AGw/6
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: The building of the new Gaol at Maidstone. Tenders for constructional work with some specifications of work to be done.
Dates: 1811-1820
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/AGw/7-8
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: The building of the new Gaol at Maidstone. Contracts, bonds, specifications, plans
Dates: 1810-1823
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/AGw/9
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: The building of the new Gaol at Maidstone. General plan of the site of the Gaol, showing line of former Boxley Road and former field boundaries.Â
Dates: c.1811
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/C/Su/1
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Ledgers of County Surveyor, Martin Bulmer. Bulmer did work for the county, including on the county prisons.
Dates: 1852-1878
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/GB/4
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Plans of the Prison Chapel and the female Prison, and of an exchange of land near the Coach and HorsesÂ
Dates: 1821-1822
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/GCz/6
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Minutes of the Joint Committee for the supply of water to the Gaol of Maidstone and the Asylum at BarmingÂ
Dates: 1862-1863
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/GGw/2/1-28
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Contracts for alterations and additions to the gaol
Dates: 1831-1871
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/GGw/5-52
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Proposed additions and alterations to the West Kent Gaol, including to the treadmill, female prison, hospitals, laundry, manufactory, chapel (mainly plans)
Dates: 1831-1871
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U1515/E84
Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts
Description: Romney denotes profits from sand at Penenden Heath, used in building prison, to relief of poor, 1817, much sand removed improperly, Daniel Alexander, architect of prison, unsuccessfully requests conference before trial, 1819
Dates: 1811-1821
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U1515/OQ/A10
Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts
Description: Acquisition of site for Gaol in Maidstone
Dates: 1810-1812
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U1515/OQ/A10A
Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts
Description: Copies of documents relating to new Gaol and Court House. Including sketch plans of two alternative sites, Sessions orders, and reports and correspondence.
Dates: 1810-1811
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U1515/OQ/C4
Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts
Description: Miscellaneous letters to Romney from H. A. Wildes. Heating apparatus in prison.Â
Dates: 1857-1860
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: U1515/OQ/L5
Collection: Romney of the Mote Manuscripts
Description: Medway Navigation Company, and supply of water to Maidstone Asylum and Gaol
Dates: 1859-1862
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: Q/SI/W/481
Collection: Kent Quarter Sessions
Description: Precepts for and verdicts of juries of enquiry fixing the purchase prices of various pieces of land in Maidstone bought by the Justices for the site of the Gaol and Sessions House, with jury lists (Easter 1811)Â
Dates: 1811
Archive name: Canterbury Cathedral Archives
Catalogue ref: CCA-DCc-PRINDRAW/4/M/3
Collection: None
Description: Engraving, Sketch of the West Kent County Goal [sic], Bridewell, and court houses at Maidstone. From a plan by Mr [D A] Alexander. With estimate for building. [Prison built 1810-17.]
Dates: 1810
Archive name: Canterbury Cathedral Archives
Catalogue ref: CCA-U165/1/63/4
Collection: None
Description: Bishop Walsh's photograph album of Kent churches. Includes interior of Chapel at Maidstone Gaol.
Dates: 1870-1875
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: H/U18/44
Collection: None
Description: Maidstone - photographs of High Street, College of St Mary and All Saints, County Gaol, and Museum
Dates: 1890, 1910
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: MAI 404
Collection: Print Collection
Description: Maidstone Prison greetings card
Dates: 1822
Archive name: Kent History & Library Centre
Catalogue ref: MAI 421 XX
Collection: Print Collection
Description: Engraving of Maidstone Prison
Dates: 1822
Archive name: Staffordshire Record Office
Catalogue ref: D3388/60/6
Collection: Dyott Family
Description: Includes reference to visiting Maidstone Gaol (23 July 1828)
Dates: 1828