Northampton County Gaol

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

Alternative Names   Northampton County Gaol and Bridewell, Northampton County Gaol and House of Correction, Northampton (Lower) Prison

Prison Type   Local Prison -  Common Gaol & House of Correction/Bridewell

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1794

Date closed   1880

Location   adjoins the town hall, George Row   Northampton

Map location   exact or closely approximate

County   Northamptonshire

Critical Remarks

After the 1877 Prisons Act, both the County Gaol and Borough Gaol (ID 520) in Northampton were retained as local prisons, the former called the Lower Prison, and the latter the Upper Prison. The Lower Prison officially closed on 31 December 1879, and from the start of 1880 all prisoners were confined in the Upper Prison, or HMP Northampton (ID 520).

Prison Info

Alternative Names   Northampton County Gaol and Bridewell, Northampton County Gaol and House of Correction, Northampton (Lower) Prison

Prison Type   Local Prison

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1794

Date closed   1880

Location   adjoins the town hall, George Row   Northampton

Map location   exact or closely approximate
Lat.   52.2368431  Long.   -0.8963243

County   Northamptonshire

Critical Remarks

After the 1877 Prisons Act, both the County Gaol and Borough Gaol (ID 520) in Northampton were retained as local prisons, the former called the Lower Prison, and the latter the Upper Prison. The Lower Prison officially closed on 31 December 1879, and from the start of 1880 all prisoners were confined in the Upper Prison, or HMP Northampton (ID 520).

Prisoner Statistics

 

Year 1818

Annual Committed   -   359

Daily Greatest number   -   113

 

Year 1823

Annual Committed   -   382

Daily Census   -   74

 

Year 1828

Annual Committed   -   342

Daily Census   -   57

 

Year 1833

Annual Committed   -   481

Daily Census   -   124

 

Year 1838

Annual Confined   -   675

Daily Census   -   152

 

Year 1843

Annual Confined   -   976

Daily Census   -   128

 

Year 1848

Annual Confined   -   813

Daily Daily average   -   118

 

Year 1853

Annual Confined   -   648

Daily Daily average   -   137

 

Year 1858

Annual Committed   -   605

Daily Daily average   -   112

 

Year 1863

Annual Committed   -   739

Daily Greatest number   -   167

 

Year 1868

Annual Committed   -   687

Daily Daily average   -   107

 

Year 1873

Annual Committed   -   572

Daily Daily average   -   72

 

Year 1878

Annual Committed   -   763

Daily Daily average   -   103

Principal Primary Sources

  • James Neild, The State of the Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales (London, 1812), p.433
  • Account of Gaols, Houses of Correction or Penitentiaries in the United Kingdom, 1818 (Parl. Papers, 1819, XVII.371), p.36
  • [Second] Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1820), p.48; 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.52; 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.85; 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.105; 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.115; 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.33
  • Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1824, XIX.359), p.172; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1825, XXIII.1), p.192; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826, XXIV.1), p.190; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826-27, XIX.365), p.169; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1828, XX.327), p.202; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1829, XIX.1), p.179; Reports and Schedules Pursuant To Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830, XXIV.1), p.180; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830-31, XII.1), p.173; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1831-32. XXXIII.197), p.173; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1833, XXVIII.1), p.187; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1834, XLVI.1), p.173; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1835, XLIV.225), p.170; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1836, XLII.1), p.112; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837, XLV.1), p.113; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837-8, XLIII.227), p.118; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXXVIII.17), p.113; Reports Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.1), p.121; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1841, XVIII.1), p.126; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXXII.1), p.128; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1843, XLIII.1), p.129; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXXIX.403), p.131; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXXVII.417), p.157; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXXIV.187), p.152; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847, XLVII.297), p.166; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847-48, LII.465), p.168
  • Abstract Return of Establishment and Expenditure of Gaols and Houses of Correction in England and Wales (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.241), p.44
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Third Report (Parl. Papers, 1837-38, XXXI.177), p.75; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXV.721), p.17; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXI.193), p.85; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXIX.391), p.308; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Eleventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXI.565), p.288; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Twelfth Report (Parl. Papers, 1847-8, XXXV.1), p.290; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland and Eastern District, Thirteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1847-8, XXXVI.1), p.82; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Seventeenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1852, XXIV.1), p.107; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Nineteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1854, XXXIV.1), p.72; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Twenty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1856, XXXIII.485), p.47; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1859, Session 1, XI.1), p.92; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1860, XXXV.1), p.87; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1860, XXXV.229), p.83; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1861, XXIX.45), p.84; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1862, XXV.93), p.82; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Northern District, Twenty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1863, XXIII.109), p.73; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Twenty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1864, XXVI.89), p.38; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirtieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1865, XXIII.257), p.65; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1866, XXXVII.233), p.72; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1867-68, XXXIV.1), p.62; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.1), p.62; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.529), p.93; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1872, XXXI.169), p.49; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1873, XXXII.337), p.91; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1874, XXIX.389), p.116; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1875, XXXVII.417), p.120; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Fortieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1876, XXXV.417), p.120; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Forty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1877, XLIII.421), p.120; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Forty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1878, XLI.417), p.116
  • Commissioners of Prisons, Second Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1878-79, XXXIV.1, 97), p.55; Commissioners of Prisons, Third Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1880, XXXV.1,73), p.70

Additional Primary Sources

  • Pigot, Pigot’s Directory of Northamptonshire (1841), p. 13

Secondary Sources

  • http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/northants/vol3/pp30-40; http://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/Community/archives/Documents/PDF%20Documents/Prison%20and%20reformatory%20records.pdf

Management

Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: QS/CC/214

Collection: Northamptonshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Papers of Committee of Quarter Sessions as to renumerative employment of prisoners in gaol, with about 30 forms returned from various governors of prisons elsewhere

Dates: 1857


Archive name: Hampshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: 26M62/F/C784

Collection: None

Description: Letter to Lord Calthorpe from Lord Euston, London, answering questions about Northampton Gaol and House of Correction

Dates: 1823


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: LG01/CC/331-357

Collection: Northamptonshire County Council

Description: Certificates, returns, annual reports by officials, rules and regulations for the Gaol and House of Correction, reports and returns of prisoners' employment, reports on dietaries

Dates: 1822-1877


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: QS/CC/225

Collection: Northamptonshire Quarter Sessions

Description: First report of Select Committee of House of Lords to inquire into the State of the gaols and Houses of Correction

Dates: 1835


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: QS/CC/395/02-46

Collection: Northamptonshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Material relating to the gaol and House of Correction, including rules and regulations, dietaries and prisoners' work schedules, some officials' reports, returns and certificates

Dates: 1822-1877


Finance

Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: NP/2/1

Collection: Northampton Prison

Description: Account book for building and building loan

Dates: 1842-1874


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: NP/2/4

Collection: Northampton Prison

Description: Accounts

Dates: 1859-1869


Daily Business

Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: NP/2/2

Collection: Northampton Prison

Description: Governor's letter book

Dates: 1872-1879


Staff

Archive name: Manchester Archives & Local Studies

Catalogue ref: GB17.M136

Collection: National Public School Association

Description: Letter from the Chaplain of Northampton County Gaol about the educational standards of the prisoners

Dates: 1854


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: LG01/CC/344

Collection: Northamptonshire County Council

Description: Gaol: order relating to advertisement for the appointment of a Chaplain to the gaol and House of Correction

Dates: 1850


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: LG01/CC/349

Collection: Northamptonshire County Council

Description: Testimonials of applicant for the post of Chaplain to the County Gaol

Dates: 1859


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: QS/CC/395/07

Collection: Northamptonshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Orders regarding advert for Gaol Chaplain

Dates: 1850


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: QS/CC/395/14

Collection: Northamptonshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Applications for chaplaincy of Gaol

Dates: 1859


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: QS/CC/395/15

Collection: Northamptonshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Applications for chaplaincy of Gaol

Dates: 1860


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: QS/CC/012/7

Collection: Northamptonshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Complaints against the Governor of the goal for gambling and drunkeness

Dates: 1850


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: QS/CC/395/13

Collection: Northamptonshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Letter re Deputy Governorship of Gaol

Dates: 1858


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: MKM 122/131

Collection: None

Description: Appointment of Gaolers

Dates: 1844


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: MKM 122/227

Collection: None

Description: Appointment of Gaolers

Dates: 1856


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: LG01/CC/354

Collection: Northamptonshire County Council

Description: Appointment of Charles Perkins as Warden of the Gaol

Dates: 1872


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: QS/CC/395/43

Collection: Northamptonshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Material concerning prosecution of a warden for aiding a prisoner to try to escape from gaol

Dates: 1873


Prisoners

Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: NP/2/3/2-14

Collection: Northampton Prison

Description: Registers of male and female prisoners

Dates: 1856-1879


Archive name: The National Archives

Catalogue ref: HO23/8-9

Collection: Home Office

Description: Registers of Prisoners from national prisons lodged in County Prisons, Northampton

Dates: 1848-1865


Archive name: Derbyshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: D3155/C6041

Collection: None

Description: Petitioners for transportation, convicted at the last Northampton assizes, annotated answer yes if they pay for passage

Dates: 1822


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: NP/2/3/1

Collection: Northampton Prison

Description: Daily account of female prisoners

Dates: 1856-1859


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: QS/CC/012/5

Collection: Northamptonshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Evidence as to misconduct of two prisoners in the prison (in attempting to send letters out of the prison)

Dates: 1878


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: QS/CC/012/6

Collection: Northamptonshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Complaints made to Chairman of Quarter Sessions as to persecution by a police officer

Dates: 1877


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: QS/CC/072

Collection: Northamptonshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Justices' orders to commit to House of Correction or gaol

Dates: 1818


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: V1503

Collection: None

Description: Liberates and discharges

Dates: 1822, 1823


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: X5402/45

Collection: None

Description: Transfer of prisoners by Sheriff

Dates: 1814


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: ZA3755

Collection: None

Description: Broadsheet: 'An Account of the life, Behaviour and Execution of William Meadows, William Gent, and Redmond Middleton' who were executed at Northampton, 2 August 1822, for the rape of Ann Newman of Bozeat

Dates: 1822


Land & Buildings

Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: LG01/CC/396

Collection: Northamptonshire County Council

Description: Police report on a meeting of the Justice of the Finance Committee regarding the application by the Chief Constable for water closets for prisoners etc

Dates: 1863


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: LG01/CC/398

Collection: Northamptonshire County Council

Description: Report to the Justices of the Police Committee regarding a defect in the hot water apparatus at the County Gaol

Dates: 1863


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: MAP 5432

Collection: None

Description: First floor plan

Dates: Late 18th-early 19th century


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: NAP 1359-1363

Collection: None

Description: Architectural drawings

Dates: 1845


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: QS/CC/053-063

Collection: Northamptonshire Quarter Sessions

Description: County Gaol repair and construction records

Dates: 1790-1843


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: QS/CC/236/18

Collection: Northamptonshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Plans for conversion of gaol to storehouse

Dates: 1846


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: QS/CC/395/01

Collection: Northamptonshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Report on site for new House of Correction

Dates: 1842-1844


Archive name: Northamptonshire Archives

Catalogue ref: ZA 2414-7

Collection: None

Description: Papers relating to the conversion of the Old Debtors' Prison and Chapel into Sergeants' Residences at the County Buildings

Dates: 1889-1890