Sheffield Town Gaol

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

Alternative Names   Sheffield Town Gaol and Lock-ups, Sheffield Riding Lock Ups

Prison Type   Local Prison -  Common Gaol, Lock Up

Jurisdiction   Municipality

Date opened   c1807

Date closed   {1842}

Location   Old Town Hall, Waingate   Sheffield

Map location   exact or closely approximate

County   Yorkshire

Critical Remarks

The Old Town Hall in Waingate, built 1807-8, also housed a prison and courthouses for when the Petty and Quarter Sessions were held. Although called Sheffield Town Gaol in several sources, the prison was used as a lock up for prisoners when the courts were in session. A police lock up was also located in the basement of the Town Hall (see ID 604), with underground passages linking the courtrooms, lock ups and neighbouring police offices.

Prison Info

Alternative Names   Sheffield Town Gaol and Lock-ups, Sheffield Riding Lock Ups

Prison Type   Local Prison

Jurisdiction   Municipality

Date opened   c1807

Date closed   {1842}

Location   Old Town Hall, Waingate   Sheffield

Map location   exact or closely approximate
Lat.   53.3847864  Long.   -1.4648703

County   Yorkshire

Critical Remarks

The Old Town Hall in Waingate, built 1807-8, also housed a prison and courthouses for when the Petty and Quarter Sessions were held. Although called Sheffield Town Gaol in several sources, the prison was used as a lock up for prisoners when the courts were in session. A police lock up was also located in the basement of the Town Hall (see ID 604), with underground passages linking the courtrooms, lock ups and neighbouring police offices.

Principal Primary Sources

  • James Neild, The State of the Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales (London, 1812), p.524
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Second Report (Parl. Papers, 1837, XXXII.499), p.147; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXII.1), p.143; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXI.1), p.43; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain II. Northern and Eastern District, Eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1843, XXV. & XXVI.249), p.141

Management

Archive name: Sheffield City Archives

Catalogue ref: CA-COU/1a

Collection: Sheffield City Council

Description: Minutes of Council and Committees, including a few references to prison matters (at 84 and 105)

Dates: 1843-1845


Archive name: Sheffield City Archives

Catalogue ref: CA-WAC

Collection: Sheffield City Council

Description: Watch Committee signed and draft minutes (includes prison business)

Dates: 1843-1967