Reading County Gaol and House of Correction

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

Alternative Names   Reading County Gaol, Reading Prison, HMP Reading

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

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1786

Date closed   post 1900 (2013)

Location   Forbury Hill (Forbury Road)   Reading

Map location   exact or closely approximate

County   Berkshire

Critical Remarks

Although Reading County House of Correction was listed separately in the 1818 Return, it was also located on Forbury Hill and in other documents considered part of the County Gaol for administrative purposes.

Prison Info

Alternative Names   Reading County Gaol, Reading Prison, HMP Reading

Prison Type   Local Prison

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1786

Date closed   post 1900 (2013)

Location   Forbury Hill (Forbury Road)   Reading

Map location   exact or closely approximate
Lat.   51.456389  Long.   -0.964167

County   Berkshire

Critical Remarks

Although Reading County House of Correction was listed separately in the 1818 Return, it was also located on Forbury Hill and in other documents considered part of the County Gaol for administrative purposes.

Prisoner Statistics

 

Year 1818

Annual Committed   -   359

Daily Greatest number   -   117

 

Year 1823

Annual Committed   -   429

Daily Census   -   78

 

Year 1828

Annual Committed   -   527

Daily Census   -   105

 

Year 1833

Annual Committed   -   585

Daily Census   -   112

 

Year 1838

Annual Confined   -   798

Daily Census   -   127

 

Year 1843

Annual Confined   -   377

Daily Census   -   19

 

Year 1848

Annual Confined   -   1041

Daily Daily average   -   190

 

Year 1853

Annual Confined   -   989

Daily Daily average   -   185

 

Year 1858

Annual Committed   -   802

Daily Daily average   -   132

 

Year 1863

Annual Committed   -   867

Daily Greatest number   -   150

 

Year 1868

Annual Committed   -   1039

Daily Daily average   -   132

 

Year 1873

Annual Committed   -   925

Daily Daily average   -   107

 

Year 1878

Annual Committed   -   1120

Daily Daily average   -   154

 

Year 1883

Annual Committed   -   1070

Daily Daily average   -   117

 

Year 1888

Annual Committed   -   1279

Daily Daily average   -   140

 

Year 1893

Annual Committed   -   1448

Daily   -  

 

Year 1898

Annual Committed   -   1091

Daily   -  

Principal Primary Sources

  • James Neild, The State of the Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales (London, 1812), p.495
  • Account of Gaols, Houses of Correction or Penitentiaries in the United Kingdom, 1818 (Parl. Papers, 1819, XVII.371), p.2
  • 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.4; 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.3; 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.4; 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.4; 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.1
  • Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1824, XIX.359), p.20; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1825, XXIII.1), p.14; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826, XXIV.1), p.14; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826-27, XIX.365), p.14; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1828, XX.327), p.18; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1829, XIX.1), p.14; Reports and Schedules Pursuant To Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830, XXIV.1), p.13; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830-31, XII.1), p.13; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1831-32. XXXIII.197), p.13; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1833, XXVIII.1), p.15; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1834, XLVI.1), p.13; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1835, XLIV.225), p.19; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1836, XLII.1), p.10; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837, XLV.1), p.12; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837-8, XLIII.227), p.10; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXXVIII.17), p.9; Reports Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.1), p.11; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1841, XVIII.1), p.12; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXXII.1), p.13; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1843, XLIII.1), p.20; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXXIX.403), p.17; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXXVII.417), p.14; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXXIV.187), p.12; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847, XLVII.297), p.20; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847-48, LII.465), p.18
  • Abstract Return of Establishment and Expenditure of Gaols and Houses of Correction in England and Wales (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.241), p.2
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Second Report (Parl. Papers, 1837 XXXII.1), p.246; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Third Report (Parl. Papers, 1837-38, XXX.1), p.174; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXI.1), p.74; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXV.1), p.25; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1841 Session 2, IV.1), p.18; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1842, XX.1), p.19; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Tenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXIII.1), p.34; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Fourteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1850, XXVIII.1), p.52; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Home District, Fifteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1851, XXVII.1), p.63; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1857-58, XXIX.69), p.11; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1860, XXXV.153), p.9; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1862, XXV.5), p.7; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1864, XXVI.1), p.7; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirtieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1865, XXIII.1), p.16; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1866, XXXVII.1), p.13; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1867-68, XXXIV.203), p.15; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1868-69, XXIX.1), p.8; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1870, XXXVII.1), p.7; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.241), p.10; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1872, XXXI.1), p.5; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1873, XXXII.1), p.11; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1874, XXIX.1), p.12; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1875, XXXVII.1), p.13; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Fortieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1876, XXXV.1), p.13; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1877, XLIII.1), p.14; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1878, XLI.1), p.14
  • Commissioners of Prisons, Second Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1878-79, XXXIV.1, 97), p.63; Commissioners of Prisons, Third Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1880, XXXV.1,73), p.81; Commissioners of Prisons, Fourth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1881, LI.441, 521), p.82; Commissioners of Prisons, Fifth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1882, XXXIII.443, 541), p.89; Commissioners of Prisons, Sixth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1883, XXXI.445, 579), p.91; Commissioners of Prisons, Seventh Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1884, XLII.461, 551), p.89; Commissioners of Prisons, Eighth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1884-85, XXXVII.527, 651), p.89; Commissioners of Prisons, Ninth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1886, XXXV.1, 93), p.86; Commissioners of Prisons, Tenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1887, XLI.203, 335), p.82; Commissioners of Prisons, Eleventh Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1888, LVIII.1, 209), p.81; Commissioners of Prisons, Twelfth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1889, XLI.1, 181), p.80; Commissioners of Prisons, Thirteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1890, XXXVII.1, 183), p.80; Commissioners of Prisons, Fourteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1890-91, XLIII.1, 125), p.74; Commissioners of Prisons, Fifteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1892, XLII.1, 147), p.72; Commissioners of Prisons, Sixteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1893-94, XLVII.1, 121), p.71; Commissioners of Prisons, Seventeenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1894, XLIV.1, 183), p.69; Commissioners of Prisons, Eighteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1895, LVI.727, 865), p.72
  • Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1895-96 (Parl. Papers, 1896, XLIV.235), p.181; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1896-97 (Parl. Papers, 1897, XL.105), p.326; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1897-98 (Parl. Papers, 1898, XLVII.23), p.368; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1898-99 (Parl. Papers, 1899, XLIII.65), p.386; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1899-1900 (Parl. Papers, 1900, XLI.1), p.434

Management

Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/EX2184/2/1-3

Collection: Miscellaneous printed papers relating to Berkshire Assizes and Quarter Sessions

Description: Berkshire Quarter Sessions, Epiphany (1855), includes quarterly returns for the County Gaol, Reading, and the House of Correction, Abingdon

Dates: 1855


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/EX523/14

Collection: Papers of John Roberts, solicitor and Under-Sheriff of Berkshire

Description: Request from Robert Peel (as Home Secretary) for returns of persons committed to prison for contempt

Dates: 1826


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: N/JQ 17/4

Collection: Newbury Borough

Description: Newbury Quarter Sessions Papers relating to the maintenance of prisoners of Reading Gaol, including details of the arrangements made in 1824 and 1836, 1848

Dates: 1824-1848


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/RP1/8/1/1

Collection: Reading Prison

Description: Home Office records - Inspectors' minutes (July 1887-August 1919)

Dates: 1887-1919


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: Q/AG1/4

Collection: Berkshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Counterpart of grant of Reading Prison to the Prison Commissioners

Dates: 1879


Archive name: Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AG/15/20-21

Collection: Buckinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Includes material on number of cells and state of the establishment at Reading Gaol

Dates: 1844


Archive name: The National Archives

Catalogue ref: PCOM2/395

Collection: Prison Commission

Description: Judges' orders at Reading Assize

Dates: 1847-1883


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: Q/SO/8-37

Collection: Berkshire Quarter Sessions

Description: The Quarter Sessions Order Books, which contain reports of the governor, chaplain, visiting justices, and various gaol committees at Reading (and Abingdon)

Dates: 1800-1906


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/EX1452

Collection: None

Description: Reading Gaol, reports of visiting justices. References are made to the Bridewell from 1792.

Dates: 1787-1801


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/EX1847/1

Collection: None

Description: Visiting Justices' reports on visits to Reading Prison (October 1860-April 1878). Includes, at front, printed statistical returns of numbers of prisoners and costs of imprisonment (1839-1871).

Dates: 1839-1878


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/RP1/6/1

Collection: Reading Prison

Description: Minutes of the visiting committee in April and May 1878, reports of weekly visits to the prison (May 1878-June 1878)

Dates: 1878


Archive name: The National Archives

Catalogue ref: PCOM2/394

Collection: Prison Commission

Description: Order book of Visiting Justices

Dates: 1841-1863


Finance

Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/EX343/1-3, 5

Collection: None

Description: Papers relating to financing the buildings

Dates: 1842-1870


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/P 96/16/1/175-242

Collection: Reading St Giles parish

Description: Receipts for conveying discharged prisoners (1832-1833, 1836)

Dates: 1832-1836


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: Q/AG1/2/1-2

Collection: Berkshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Agreement between the Chairman of Quarter Sessions, two other justices, and Admiral Dundas for securing additional loans for Reading Gaol

Dates: 1843-1844


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: Q/FG3

Collection: Berkshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Abstract of expenditure for the County Gaol at Reading

Dates: 1848


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: R/FZ2/55/1-31

Collection: Reading Borough

Description: Miscellaneous bills, vouchers and receipts. Includes bills for subsistence of named prisoners in the House of Correction.

Dates: 1829


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: R/FZ2/56/1-47

Collection: Reading Borough

Description: Miscellaneous bills, vouchers and receipts. Includes bills for 12 pairs of handcuffs, and subsistence of named prisoners in the House of Correction.

Dates: 1830


Daily Business

Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/RP1/11/1/1

Collection: Reading Prison

Description: Chaplain's journal (April-June 1878)

Dates: 1878


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/RP1/11/2/1

Collection: Reading Prison

Description: Chaplain's records, including Chaplain's letter book (April 1878-September 1884)

Dates: 1878-1884


Staff

Archive name: Plymouth and West Devon Record Office

Catalogue ref: 3040/12

Collection: None

Description: Register of Plymouth prison officers. Includes male and female officers and refers to their employment at various prisons, including Reading

Dates: late 19th century


Archive name: Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AG/14/220

Collection: Buckinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Includes letters [from] J. Field, chaplain of Reading Gaol seeking subscriptions for his book (February 19 1848).

Dates: 1848


Archive name: Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre

Catalogue ref: D/1/8/3/17

Collection: Diocese of Salisbury, Bishop of Salisbury, administrative records

Description: Curates' nominations, including Crate Williams, Thomas E., Chaplaincy of Reading Gaol

Dates: 1811


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: PS/FT25/6

Collection: None

Description: Letter from Deputy Governor of Reading gaol relating to the reception of a child

Dates: 1879


Archive name: Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AG/14/221-221b

Collection: Buckinghamshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Includes letters to/from Governor, Reading Gaol, regarding weighing prisoners

Dates: 1848


Archive name: Hampshire Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: 44M69/F10/55/5

Collection: None

Description: Letters to George Purefoy Jervoise. Correspondents include Mr Ernest Eaststaff, Gaoler at Reading Gaol

Dates: 1821


Prisoners

Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/RP1/1/1-3

Collection: Reading Prison

Description: Records of Admission - nominal registers

Dates: 1889-1894


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/RP1/14/1

Collection: Reading Prison

Description: Register of executions carried out

Dates: 1893-1913


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/RP1/15/1

Collection: Reading Prison

Description: Burial records - register of graves of executed men

Dates: 1922-1923


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: T/A119

Collection: None

Description: Photocopy of execution register

Dates: 1742-1877


Archive name: The National Archives

Catalogue ref: HO23/12

Collection: Home Office

Description: Registers of prisoners from national prisons lodged in county prisons. Reading Gaol

Dates: 1847-1855


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/EX523/13/1, 2

Collection: Papers of John Roberts, solicitor and Under-Sheriff of Berkshire

Description: Orders for transfer of a prisoner to the Justitia hulk on the river Thames, and another to the General Penitentiary

Dates: 1826


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/EX523/8

Collection: Papers of John Roberts, solicitor and Under-Sheriff of Berkshire

Description: Order from Lord Sidmouth (as Home Secretary) for removal of 10 named convicts from Reading Gaol to the hulks at Portsmouth

Dates: 1820


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/RP1/18/1

Collection: Reading Prison

Description: Colour print of a sketch of Charles White, executed at Reading on 26 March 1814

Dates: undated


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/RP1/5/2

Collection: Reading Prison

Description: Photograph albums of prisoners at Reading Prison, both men and women; the photograph albums do not include all prisoners at Reading Prison.

Dates: 1883-1902


Archive name: The National Archives

Catalogue ref: PCOM2/392-393

Collection: Prison Commission

Description: Entry books of pardons of prisoners

Dates: 1818-1896


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: R/JB5/2/1-2

Collection: None

Description: Letter to the Town Clerk. Includes list of persons imprisoned in Reading Gaol for small debts (1821-1826). Compiled by the Keeper of the Gaol

Dates: 1821-1826


Land & Buildings

Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/EX343

Collection: None

Description: Papers relating to the building of Reading Gaol

Dates: 1823-1870


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/EX485/1

Collection: Reading Gaol (Plans)

Description: Ground plan of County Gaol and House of Correction, 1786, showing improvements up to 1827.

Dates: 1786-1827


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/EX485/2/1-4

Collection: Reading Gaol (Plans)

Description: Plans [for new] Reading Gaol: basement, ground, first and second floors

Dates: 1841-1842


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/RP1/16/3

Collection: Reading Prison

Description: Photocopies of floor plans of Reading Gaol soon after it had opened (c.1840s-1850s)

Dates: 1840-1860


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/RP1/16/4

Collection: Reading Prison

Description: Elevation and plan of proposed partition for the front of the school room (23 July 1890)

Dates: 1890


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/RP1/16/5

Collection: Reading Prison

Description: Colour elevation showing the view towards the prison of the extension of the gateway (17 September 1895)

Dates: 1895


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: P/RP1/16/6/1-3

Collection: Reading Prison

Description: Plans of alterations and additions to chapel

Dates: late 19th century


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: Q/AG1/3/1-8

Collection: Berkshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Schedules of contract for works for the New Gaol, Reading

Dates: 1842


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: Q/AG1/5/1-4

Collection: Berkshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Draft contracts, specifications, bills, correspondence and Building Committee minutes

Dates: 1842-1844


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: Q/AG1/1

Collection: Berkshire Quarter Sessions

Description: Contract between the Clerk of the Peace and Messrs. Baker for the erection of the gaol following the bankruptcy of John Jay, original contractor

Dates: 1842


Images

Archive name: Reading Central Library, Local Studies

Catalogue ref: R/EX

Collection: None

Description: Photograph of the governor's residence, Reading Gaol

Dates: 1880


Archive name: Reading Central Library, Local Studies

Catalogue ref: R/IX

Collection: None

Description: Aerial view of the factory of Huntley and Palmers, biscuit manufacturers, Reading. Reading Gaol, the railway, and Caversham Church appear in the background

Dates: 1849


Other

Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/ESv/M/F91

Collection: Papers of the Stevens family of Bradfield

Description: Diary of Henry Stevens. Includes mention of visits to the County Gaol with C. Dundas (1811)

Dates: 1808 - 1812


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/EX1444

Collection: None

Description: Papers of Peter Southerton, collected in course of writing 'The Story of a Prison' (Reading 1975) (1857-late 20th century)

Dates: c.1857 - 1999


Archive name: Berkshire Record Office

Catalogue ref: D/EX523/17/1, 2

Collection: Papers of John Roberts, solicitor and Under-Sheriff of Berkshire

Description: Letters to John Roberts from Thomas Duffield, when Sheriff, on a Christmas gift to the prisoners, and on the expenses of his Shrievalty and the assistance of the Under Sheriff

Dates: c.1827