Oxford County Gaol and House of Correction

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

Alternative Names   Oxford Castle County Gaol and Bridewell, Oxford Castle Gaol, Oxford County Gaol, Oxford Prison, HMP Oxford

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

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   [1776]

Date closed   post 1900 (1996)

Location   Oxford Castle   Oxford

Map location   exact or closely approximate

County   Oxfordshire

Critical Remarks

Although the Castle was originally built in 1071, it is not known when it was first used as a prison. The most recent rebuilding of the county gaol prior to the nineteenth century was in 1776.

Prison Info

Alternative Names   Oxford Castle County Gaol and Bridewell, Oxford Castle Gaol, Oxford County Gaol, Oxford Prison, HMP Oxford

Prison Type   Local Prison

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   [1776]

Date closed   post 1900 (1996)

Location   Oxford Castle   Oxford

Map location   exact or closely approximate
Lat.   51.7517  Long.   -1.2632

County   Oxfordshire

Critical Remarks

Although the Castle was originally built in 1071, it is not known when it was first used as a prison. The most recent rebuilding of the county gaol prior to the nineteenth century was in 1776.

Prisoner Statistics

 

Year 1818

Annual Committed   -   464

Daily Greatest number   -   163

 

Year 1823

Annual Committed   -   291

Daily Census   -   56

 

Year 1828

Annual Committed   -   466

Daily Census   -   70

 

Year 1833

Annual Committed   -   731

Daily Census   -   139

 

Year 1838

Annual Confined   -   841

Daily Census   -   137

 

Year 1843

Annual Confined   -   1009

Daily Census   -   129

 

Year 1848

Annual Confined   -   1066

Daily Daily average   -   127

 

Year 1853

Annual Confined   -   942

Daily Daily average   -   143

 

Year 1858

Annual Committed   -   725

Daily Daily average   -   109

 

Year 1863

Annual Committed   -   814

Daily Greatest number   -   149

 

Year 1868

Annual Committed   -   1032

Daily Daily average   -   105

 

Year 1873

Annual Committed   -   667

Daily Daily average   -   65

 

Year 1878

Annual Committed   -   935

Daily Daily average   -   95

 

Year 1883

Annual Committed   -   779

Daily Daily average   -   99

 

Year 1888

Annual Committed   -   691

Daily Daily average   -   88

 

Year 1893

Annual Committed   -   715

Daily   -  

 

Year 1898

Annual Committed   -   736

Daily   -  

Principal Primary Sources

  • James Neild, The State of the Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales (London, 1812), p.463
  • Account of Gaols, Houses of Correction or Penitentiaries in the United Kingdom, 1818 (Parl. Papers, 1819, XVII.371), p.38
  • The Third Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1821), Appendix, p.63; 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.92; 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.113; 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.122; 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, 1824, XIX.359), p.188; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1825, XXIII.1), p.214; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826, XXIV.1), p.210; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826-27, XIX.365), p.187; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1828, XX.327), p.220; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1829, XIX.1), p.196; Reports and Schedules Pursuant To Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830, XXIV.1), p.195; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830-31, XII.1), p.188; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1831-32. XXXIII.197), p.188; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1833, XXVIII.1), p.202; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1834, XLVI.1), p.188; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1835, XLIV.225), p.183; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1836, XLII.1), p.121; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837, XLV.1), p.121; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837-8, XLIII.227), p.126; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXXVIII.17), p.122; Reports Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.1), p.130; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1841, XVIII.1), p.135; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXXII.1), p.137; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1843, XLIII.1), p.137; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXXIX.403), p.139; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXXVII.417), p.167; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXXIV.187), p.162; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847, XLVII.297), p.176; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847-48, LII.465), p.178
  • Abstract Return of Establishment and Expenditure of Gaols and Houses of Correction in England and Wales (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.241), p.48
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District. First Report (Parl. Papers, 1836, XXXV.269), p.48; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXII.217), p.193; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXI.193), p.154; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXIX.391), p.331; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Eleventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXI.565), p.308; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Twelfth Report (Parl. Papers, 1847-8, XXXV.1), p.309; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Fifteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1851, XXVII.1), p.43; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1857-58, XXIX.69), p.92; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1860, XXXV.153), p.50; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1862, XXV.5), p.61; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1864, XXVI.1), p.60; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirtieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1865, XXIII.1), p.179; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1866, XXXVII.1), p.160; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1867-68, XXXIV.203), p.215; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1868-69, XXIX.1), p.151; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1870, XXXVII.1), p.163; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.241), p.204; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1872, XXXI.1), p.118; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1873, XXXII.1), p.237; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1874, XXIX.1), p.272; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1875, XXXVII.1), p.293; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Fortieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1876, XXXV.1), p.289; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1877, XLIII.1), p.292; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1878, XLI.1), p.292
  • Commissioners of Prisons, Second Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1878-79, XXXIV.1, 97), p.59; Commissioners of Prisons, Third Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1880, XXXV.1,73), p.75; Commissioners of Prisons, Fourth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1881, LI.441, 521), p.76; Commissioners of Prisons, Fifth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1882, XXXIII.443, 541), p.82; Commissioners of Prisons, Sixth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1883, XXXI.445, 579), p.83; Commissioners of Prisons, Seventh Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1884, XLII.461, 551), p.81; Commissioners of Prisons, Eighth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1884-85, XXXVII.527, 651), p.81; Commissioners of Prisons, Ninth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1886, XXXV.1, 93), p.75; Commissioners of Prisons, Tenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1887, XLI.203, 335), p.72; Commissioners of Prisons, Eleventh Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1888, LVIII.1, 209), p.71; Commissioners of Prisons, Twelfth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1889, XLI.1, 181), p.70; Commissioners of Prisons, Thirteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1890, XXXVII.1, 183), p.70; Commissioners of Prisons, Fourteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1890-91, XLIII.1, 125), p.64; Commissioners of Prisons, Fifteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1892, XLII.1, 147), p.63; Commissioners of Prisons, Sixteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1893-94, XLVII.1, 121), p.61; Commissioners of Prisons, Seventeenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1894, XLIV.1, 183), p.60; Commissioners of Prisons, Eighteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1895, LVI.727, 865), p.63
  • Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1895-96 (Parl. Papers, 1896, XLIV.235), p.160; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1896-97 (Parl. Papers, 1897, XL.105), p.303; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1897-98 (Parl. Papers, 1898, XLVII.23), p.342; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1898-99 (Parl. Papers, 1899, XLIII.65), p.354; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1899-1900 (Parl. Papers, 1900, XLI.1), p.399

Additional Primary Sources

  • Robert Gardner, History, Gazetteer and Directory of the County of Oxford (1852), pp. 331-2

Secondary Sources

  • http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/oxon/vol4/pp181-259

Management

Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: Mor.LXXX/2

Collection: None

Description: Charity Commission order re Oxford, including city Gaol

Dates: 1884


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: O101/A1/1

Collection: Oxfordshire Prisoners' Aid Society Records

Description: Printed volume of benefactions

Dates: 1872


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: O29/A4/1

Collection: Oxford Prison

Description: Commissioners and Inspectors' minute book

Dates: 1890-1935


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QSD/C/82, 84-97

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Papers concerning various charities relating to Oxford Prison

Dates: 1814-1922


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QSE/20/18

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Letter about place for storing coal

Dates: 1843


Archive name: The National Archives

Catalogue ref: PCOM2/351

Collection: Prison Commission

Description: Commissioners and Inspectors' minute book

Dates: 1859-1890


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: O29/A3/1

Collection: Oxford Prison

Description: Minute book of the Visiting Committee

Dates: 1878-1922


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QS1800-QS1878

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Annual Collections. These Include a mass of detailed material relating to the administration and finance of the County Gaol and House of Correction, including: reports of officials and visiting magistrates; returns and certificates as to state of gaol; bills for supplies and maintenance work; accounts; rules; circulars; prison staff (appointments, salaries, dismissals); prisoners' work and dietaries covering the period 1800-1878; those for 1831-1852 have been catalogued in great detail. The material up to 1830 has been extensively calendared.

Dates: 1800-1878


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QSC/VI/1-3

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Minute books of the Prison Visiting Justices Committee

Dates: 1854-1855, 1857, 1873-1878


Finance

Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: OPAS I/1

Collection: None

Description: Account book of Oxford Prison Benefaction Fund

Dates: 1877-1941


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: P10/F1/1

Collection: None

Description: Printed accounts of Oxford Prison, as presented to the Quarter Sessions

Dates: 1859-1875


Daily Business

Archive name: The National Archives

Catalogue ref: PCOM2/349

Collection: Prison Commission

Description: Gaoler's journal

Dates: 1823-1827


Staff

Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: O29/PL/1

Collection: Oxford Prison

Description: Register of Prison Officers

Dates: 1881-1926


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QS1837/2/A11/9

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Notice of reprimand to be issued to Governor of Gaol concerning an escaped prisoner

Dates: 1837


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QS1837/3/A13/18

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Request by Governor of Oxford Gaol for a gratuity on leaving post through ill health

Dates: 1837


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QS1852/3/A9/

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Draft appointment of Governor of the County prison

Dates: 1852


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QS1852/3/A9/46

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Report of the Committee appointed to examine the testimonials of the candidates for the office of Governor of the Gaol and House of Correction

Dates: 1852


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QS1837/3/A13/13

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Testimonials for candidate for the post of Governor of Oxford Prison and Assistant Keeper, Devon Bridewell

Dates: 1837


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QS1846/1/A9/18

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Recommendation that Henry Hughes be confirmed in his office of second-class Turnkey

Dates: 1846


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QS1848/4/A8/10

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Oxford Castle County Prison establishment, sub-officers etc

Dates: 1848


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QS1850/4/A7/6

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Salaries of the Turnkeys etc of the Prison

Dates: 1850


Prisoners

Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: O29/R/1

Collection: Oxford Prison

Description: Register of baptisms and burials in Oxford Prison

Dates: 1799-1952


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: O29/R/2

Collection: Oxford Prison

Description: Register of executions in Oxford Prison

Dates: 1892-1952


Archive name: The National Archives

Catalogue ref: PCOM2/350

Collection: Prison Commission

Description: Register of prisoners

Dates: 1845-1851


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: Gil/X/xiv/2

Collection: Gillett family

Description: Letter from Emma Bull whilst in Oxford Prison, apologising for causing trouble and for stealing

Dates: 1878


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: Mor.XXXIX/xi/1

Collection: None

Description: Report on two Oxford prisoners

Dates: 1869


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: O29/A1/1-4

Collection: Oxford Prison

Description: Nominal roll books of prisoners

Dates: 1840-1844, 1882-1885, 1895-1898, 1898-1901


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: O29/A2/1-2

Collection: Oxford Prison

Description: Index book of prisoners' names

Dates: 1855-1867, 1881-1894


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: P352/MS/1

Collection: None

Description: Manuscript verses, supposedly written by Richard Webb before his execution at Oxford for stealing a horse

Dates: 1827


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QS1837/3/A13/19

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Letter enquiring about conduct of Henry Willetts while in gaol

Dates: 1837


Archive name: The National Archives

Catalogue ref: PCOM2/352

Collection: Prison Commission

Description: Photographs of prisoners

Dates: 1870-1881


Archive name: Warwickshire County Record Office

Catalogue ref: CR 1998/CD/Folder 54/4

Collection: None

Description: Letter from David Ross, prisoner in Oxford Castle, to Sir John Throckmorton, applying for the appointment as a Hermit, as advertised two years before

Dates: 1815


Land & Buildings

Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QSE/12

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Plans of Governor's house

Dates: 1848


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: O29/Y1/1-2

Collection: Oxford Prison

Description: Plans of Prison

Dates: 1858-c.1989


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: O29/Y2/1

Collection: Oxford Prison

Description: Photocopied plan of graves in Oxford Prison burial ground

Dates: c.1900-2000


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QS1852/2/A6/27

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Draft resolution as to new buildings in the Prison

Dates: 1852


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QSE/19

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Specifications for supplying of water to water closets from Pontifex and Mallory, plans for construction of new wing, plans for provision of heating and ventilation throughout the 19th century

Dates: 1848, 1852


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QSE/20/1

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Draft plan of proposed site of new County Hall and Courts of Justice, showing boundary walls of prison and area outside, with MS notes of occupiers

Dates: 1837


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QSE/20/10

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Plan, probably of boiler room and warm air vents

Dates: 1842?


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QSE/20/12

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Proposal for two dayrooms, cells and treadwheel near Porter lodge

Dates: 1823


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QSE/20/2

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Detailed plans by R. Abraham & Son, Architects London, for Oxford Castle proposed improvements

Dates: 1842


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QSE/20/4

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Plan of county land in front of Castle

Dates: 1836


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QSE/20/8

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Plan of proposed 'Dinner Cells' for 60 Convicts

Dates: 1830


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: QSE/20/9

Collection: Oxfordshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Plan of proposed alterations to provide accommodation for 145 (MS notes and letter)

Dates: 1820


Images

Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: P226/2/P/10

Collection: J.H. Minn Collection

Description: Photograph of Castle grounds and Prison front from the north

Dates: c.1920


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: POX00066327

Collection: None

Description: Slide of a Minn drawing of Oxford Prison

Dates: 1827


Archive name: Oxfordshire History Centre

Catalogue ref: POX0102626

Collection: None

Description: Photograph of the entrance to Oxford Prison

Dates: 1883