Nottingham County Gaol

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

Prison Type   Local Prison -  Common Gaol

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1449

Date closed   1878

Location   gaol adjoins to Shire Hall, High Pavement   Nottingham

Map location   exact or closely approximate

County   Nottinghamshire

Critical Remarks

A prison on this site from at least 1449, possibly earlier. Before the nineteenth century, most recently rebuilt 1769-72. After the 1877 Prison Act, the Town Gaol and House of Correction (ID 114) was retained as the local gaol for the area, and this gaol closed.

Prison Info

Prison Type   Local Prison

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1449

Date closed   1878

Location   gaol adjoins to Shire Hall, High Pavement   Nottingham

Map location   exact or closely approximate
Lat.   52.9508283  Long.   -1.14648

County   Nottinghamshire

Critical Remarks

A prison on this site from at least 1449, possibly earlier. Before the nineteenth century, most recently rebuilt 1769-72. After the 1877 Prison Act, the Town Gaol and House of Correction (ID 114) was retained as the local gaol for the area, and this gaol closed.

Prisoner Statistics

 

Year 1818

Annual Committed   -   257

Daily Greatest number   -   43

 

Year 1824

Annual Committed   -   134

Daily Census   -   11

 

Year 1828

Annual Committed   -   125

Daily Census   -   26

 

Year 1833

Annual Committed   -   308

Daily Census   -   27

 

Year 1838

Annual Confined   -   485

Daily Census   -   28

 

Year 1843

Annual Confined   -   815

Daily Census   -   66

 

Year 1848

Annual Confined   -   569

Daily Daily average   -   38

 

Year 1853

Annual Confined   -   440

Daily Daily average   -   30

 

Year 1858

Annual Committed   -   508

Daily Daily average   -   37

 

Year 1863

Annual Committed   -   530

Daily Greatest number   -   61

 

Year 1868

Annual Committed   -   490

Daily Daily average   -   31

 

Year 1873

Annual Committed   -   484

Daily Daily average   -   28

 

Year 1878

Annual Committed   -   15

Daily Daily average   -   0

Principal Primary Sources

  • James Neild, The State of the Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales (London, 1812), p.451
  • Account of Gaols, Houses of Correction or Penitentiaries in the United Kingdom, 1818 (Parl. Papers, 1819, XVII.371), p.38
  • 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.90; 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.110; 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.120; 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.36
  • Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1825, XXIII.1), p.208; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826, XXIV.1), p.206; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826-27, XIX.365), p.183; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1828, XX.327), p.216; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1829, XIX.1), p.192; Reports and Schedules Pursuant To Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830, XXIV.1), p.190; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830-31, XII.1), p.184; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1831-32. XXXIII.197), p.184; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1833, XXVIII.1), p.198; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1834, XLVI.1), p.184; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1835, XLIV.225), p.180; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1836, XLII.1), p.118; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837, XLV.1), p.119; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837-8, XLIII.227), p.124; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXXVIII.17), p.119; Reports Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.1), p.127; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1841, XVIII.1), p.132; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXXII.1), p.134; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1843, XLIII.1), p.135; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXXIX.403), p.137; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXXVII.417), p.165; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXXIV.187), p.160; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847, XLVII.297), p.174; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847-48, LII.465), p.175
  • Abstract Return of Establishment and Expenditure of Gaols and Houses of Correction in England and Wales (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.241), p.46
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern, Third Report (Parl. Papers, 1837-38, XXXI.1), p.18; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXV.565), p.2; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXI.1), p.76; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1843, XXV. & XXVI.249), p.111; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Tenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXIV.1), p.157; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland and Eastern District, Fourteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1849, XXVI.1), p.44; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Fifteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1850, XXVIII.291), p.177; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Sixteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1851, XXVII.461), p.169; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Seventeenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1852-53, LII.1), p.78; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Eighteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1856, XXXIII.1), p.47; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Twentieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1857, Session 1, VII.313), p.43; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Twenty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1857, Session 2, XXIII.1), p.40; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Twenty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1857-58, XXIX.1), p.46; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1859, Session 1, XI.1), p.104; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1860, XXXV.1), p.96; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1860, XXXV.229), p.91; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1861, XXIX.45), p.93; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Midland District, Twenty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1862, XXV.93), p.90; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Northern District, Twenty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1863, XXIII.109), p.81; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Twenty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1864, XXVI.89), p.46; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirtieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1865, XXIII.257), p.82; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1866, XXXVII.233), p.89; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1867-68, XXXIV.1), p.82; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.1), p.83; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.529), p.122; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1872, XXXI.169), p.62; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1873, XXXII.337), p.119; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1874, XXIX.389), p.148; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Thirty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1875, XXXVII.417), p.153; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Fortieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1876, XXXV.417), p.153; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Forty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1877, XLIII.421), p.153; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern District, Forty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1878, XLI.417), p.149

Additional Primary Sources

  • William White, History, Gazetteer and Directory of Nottinghamshire (2nd edn, Sheffield & London, 1885-6), p. 237

Secondary Sources

  • http://www.galleriesofjustice.com/galleries_history.html

Management

Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/4/387-8

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Correspondence with Chairman of Committee of Warwickshire JPs concerning committal of prisoners and indemnities to Governor and High Sheriff

Dates: 1838


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/3

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Draft circulars, adverts relating to posts, plans and improvements to County Gaol and Southwell House of Correction

Dates: 1807-1842


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/4

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Correspondence, reports, minutes and orders relating to Gaol

Dates: 1806-1843


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/4/376-378

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Correspondence, including numbers of prisoners and need for provision for juvenile offenders in Gaol

Dates: 1829


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/1/10-88

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Material relating to improvements to County Gaol, including correspondence, memos, minutes about land purchase, financial arrangements, expenses, salaries etc

Dates: 1830-1838


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/2/5-50

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Rules and papers concerning government of prison. Includes matters such as prisoners condemned to death, debtors, officers, dietary, separation and administration. Also applicable to the House of Correction.

Dates: 1801-1872


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QF/CT/12/17-43

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Orders sometimes include material relating to the County Gaol and House of Correction

Dates: 1832-1863


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QF/CT/12/63

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Minutes of Committee for Gaol and Judges lodgings

Dates: 1833


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/2/1-4

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Reports on County Gaol. Reports of Visiting Justices, Governor, Surgeon and Chaplain, Governor's certificates, annual draft report to Secretary of State [jointly with House of Correction]

Dates: 1824-1877


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/4/575

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Letter about reports of visiting JPs and Prison Inspectors

Dates: 1837


Finance

Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/1/3

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Act to authorise loans by Exchequer Bill Commissioners for building etc of gaols

Dates: 1823


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QF/CT/18/7

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Correspondence relating to the raising of a loan to meet the cost of enlarging the County Gaol and other works

Dates: 1832-1838


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QF/CT/19/11-12

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Accounts for repairs and alterations to County Gaol

Dates: 1833


Daily Business

Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/2/50

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Chaplain's department, prisoners' character book

Dates: 1869-1878, 1893


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/2/49

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Letter book of Gaol (1850-1854). Also includes account for washing for Serjeant Harris (1887), list of debtors (1843), payments for cleaning court rooms, accounts for maintenance of Nottingham prisoners in Gaol (1860-1862).

Dates: 1823-1887


Staff

Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/3/36

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Draft advertisement for Chaplain to County Gaol

Dates: 1838


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/2/25

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Copy letter to Archbishop of York, notifying him of appointment of Chaplains to Gaol and House of Correction, according to Act

Dates: 1823


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/2/60-87

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Letters, adverts and applications regarding appointment of Governor

Dates: 1853, 1857


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/4/576

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Salary of County Gaoler

Dates: 1840


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/3/33-34

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Advertisements for Surgeon to County Gaol

Dates: 1829-1835


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/2/51-59

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Letters, memos and minutes regarding qualifications for surgeon of Gaol

Dates: 1830


Prisoners

Archive name: The National Archives

Catalogue ref: HO23/10

Collection: Home Office

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

Dates: 1864-1865


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QASH/1/7

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Sheriffs' lists of prisoners

Dates: 1822


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: M/993  

Collection: None

Description: List and account of prisoners, writs, etc transferred by J E Denison, outgoing Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, to Sir Juckes G J Clifton, incoming Sheriff

Dates: 1840


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: DD/1725/1, DD/2596 

Collection: None

Description: Sentences of felon prisoners confined in his Majesty's Gaol

Dates: 1810, 1821


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: M/662

Collection: None

Description: Assignment of County of Nottingham, gaol and prisoners etc by T Walker, late Sheriff, to John Chaworth, present Sheriff

Dates: 1810


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QF/CT/19/16

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Lists of debts of William Woodward, a convict, probably relating to Nottingham County Gaol

Dates: 1844-1846


Land & Buildings

Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAB/3/50-58

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Correspondence, including memos about County Gaol enlargement

Dates: 1838


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/3/130

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Draft circular to JPs. Meeting to consider plans for County Gaol.

Dates: 1838


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QACP/5/3/132

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Draft circular, to JPs. Southwell Sessions, County Gaol improvements.

Dates: 1838


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: C/QAG/1/XBP/7/S

Collection: Nottinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Plans of High Pavement and Narrow Marsh property for gaol and judges' lodgings

Dates: 1832-1833


Archive name: Nottinghamshire Archives

Catalogue ref: DD/2506/1

Collection: None

Description: Plan of the County Prison, Nottingham

Dates: 1836