Shepton Mallet County House of Correction

Overview

Details

Records

Overview

Alternative Names   Shepton Mallet Bridewell, Shepton Mallet County Gaol, Shepton Mallet Prison, HMP Shepton Mallet

Prison Type   Local Prison -  House of Correction/Bridewell

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1610

Date closed   post 1900 (2013; closed 1930 but reopened for military prisoners 1939, and civilian use from 1966-2013)

Location   Cornhill   Shepton Mallet

Map location   exact or closely approximate

County   Somersetshire

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Prison Info

Alternative Names   Shepton Mallet Bridewell, Shepton Mallet County Gaol, Shepton Mallet Prison, HMP Shepton Mallet

Prison Type   Local Prison

Jurisdiction   County

Date opened   1610

Date closed   post 1900 (2013; closed 1930 but reopened for military prisoners 1939, and civilian use from 1966-2013)

Location   Cornhill   Shepton Mallet

Map location   exact or closely approximate
Lat.   51.190611  Long.   -2.543228

County   Somersetshire

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Prisoner Statistics

Year 1818

Annual Committed   -   501

Daily Greatest number   -   125

Year 1823

Annual Committed   -   323

Daily Census   -   209

Year 1828

Annual Committed   -   1027

Daily Census   -   192

Year 1833

Annual Committed   -   1334

Daily Census   -   205

Year 1838

Annual Confined   -   1339

Daily Census   -   221

Year 1843

Annual Confined   -   1134

Daily Census   -   190

Year 1848

Annual Confined   -   1289

Daily Daily average   -   177

Year 1853

Annual Confined   -   723

Daily Daily average   -   114

Year 1858

Annual Committed   -   703

Daily Daily average   -   91

Year 1863

Annual Committed   -   811

Daily Greatest number   -   137

Year 1868

Annual Committed   -   843

Daily Daily average   -   105

Year 1873

Annual Committed   -   674

Daily Daily average   -   103

Year 1878

Annual Committed   -   808

Daily Daily average   -   144

Year 1883

Annual Committed   -   766

Daily Daily average   -   123

Year 1888

Annual Committed   -   578

Daily Daily average   -   86

Year 1893

Annual Committed   -   546

Daily   -  

Year 1898

Annual Committed   -   569

Daily   -  

Principal Primary Sources

  • James Neild, The State of the Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales (London, 1812), p.526
  • Account of Gaols, Houses of Correction or Penitentiaries in the United Kingdom, 1818 (Parl. Papers, 1819, XVII.371), p.40
  • 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.203; 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.96; 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.119; 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.126; 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.39
  • Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1824, XIX.359), p.198; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1825, XXIII.1), p.226; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826, XXIV.1), p.224; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1826-27, XIX.365), p.205; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1828, XX.327), p.238; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1829, XIX.1), p.212; Reports and Schedules Pursuant To Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830, XXIV.1), p.211; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1830-31, XII.1), p.207; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1831-32. XXXIII.197), p.207; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1833, XXVIII.1), p.221; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1834, XLVI.1), p.209; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1835, XLIV.225), p.200; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1836, XLII.1), p.133; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837, XLV.1), p.133; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1837-8, XLIII.227), p.138; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1839, XXXVIII.17), p.136; Reports Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.1), p.143; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1841, XVIII.1), p.150; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXXII.1), p.152; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1843, XLIII.1), p.150; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXXIX.403), p.154; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1845, XXXVII.417), p.183; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXXIV.187), p.178; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847, XLVII.297), p.193; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Papers, 1847-48, LII.465), p.198
  • Abstract Return of Establishment and Expenditure of Gaols and Houses of Correction in England and Wales (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXXVIII.241), p.52
  • Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Third Report (Parl. Papers, 1837-38, XXXI.177), p.101; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1840, XXV.721), p.113; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1842, XXI.193), p.15; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1844, XXIX.391), p.387; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Eleventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1846, XXI.565), p.367; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Twelfth Report (Parl. Papers, 1847-8, XXXV.1), p.366; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Thirteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1847-8, XXXVI.133), p.184; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Fifteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1850, XXVIII.579), p.17; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Eighteenth Report (Parl. Papers, 1852-53, LII.113), p.119; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain III. Southern and Western District, Twentieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1854-55, XXVI.1), p.59; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1857-58, XXIX.69), p.99; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1860, XXXV.153), p.56; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1862, XXV.5), p.69; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Twenty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1864, XXVI.1), p.67; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirtieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1865, XXIII.1), p.197; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1866, XXXVII.1), p.176; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1867-68, XXXIV.203), p.240; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-third Report (Parl. Papers, 1868-69, XXIX.1), p.167; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fourth Report (Parl. Papers, 1870, XXXVII.1), p.179; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-fifth Report (Parl. Papers, 1871, XXIX.241), p.227; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-sixth Report (Parl. Papers, 1872, XXXI.1), p.131; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-seventh Report (Parl. Papers, 1873, XXXII.1), p.265; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-eighth Report (Parl. Papers, 1874, XXIX.1), p.305; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Thirty-ninth Report (Parl. Papers, 1875, XXXVII.1), p.327; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Fortieth Report (Parl. Papers, 1876, XXXV.1), p.324; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-first Report (Parl. Papers, 1877, XLIII.1), p.327; Inspectors of Prisons of Great Britain I. Southern District, Forty-second Report (Parl. Papers, 1878, XLI.1), p.325
  • Commissioners of Prisons, Second Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1878-79, XXXIV.1, 97), p.66; Commissioners of Prisons, Third Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1880, XXXV.1,73), p.86; Commissioners of Prisons, Fourth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1881, LI.441, 521), p.87; Commissioners of Prisons, Fifth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1882, XXXIII.443, 541), p.94; Commissioners of Prisons, Sixth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1883, XXXI.445, 579), p.96; Commissioners of Prisons, Seventh Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1884, XLII.461, 551), p.94; Commissioners of Prisons, Eighth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1884-85, XXXVII.527, 651), p.94; Commissioners of Prisons, Ninth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1886, XXXV.1, 93), p.91; Commissioners of Prisons, Tenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1887, XLI.203, 335), p.87; Commissioners of Prisons, Eleventh Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1888, LVIII.1, 209), p.86; Commissioners of Prisons, Twelfth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1889, XLI.1, 181), p.86; Commissioners of Prisons, Thirteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1890, XXXVII.1, 183), p.85; Commissioners of Prisons, Fourteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1890-91, XLIII.1, 125), p.79; Commissioners of Prisons, Fifteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1892, XLII.1, 147), p.77; Commissioners of Prisons, Sixteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1893-94, XLVII.1, 121), p.76; Commissioners of Prisons, Seventeenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1894, XLIV.1, 183), p.74; Commissioners of Prisons, Eighteenth Annual Report (Parl. Papers, 1895, LVI.727, 865), p.78
  • Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1895-96 (Parl. Papers, 1896, XLIV.235), p.193; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1896-97 (Parl. Papers, 1897, XL.105), p.339; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1897-98 (Parl. Papers, 1898, XLVII.23), p.383; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1898-99 (Parl. Papers, 1899, XLIII.65), p.403; Report of Coms. of Prisons and Directors of Convict Prisons, 1899-1900 (Parl. Papers, 1900, XLI.1), p.451

Secondary Sources

  • http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=200452&sort=2&type=&rational=a&class1=11&period=&county=&district=&parish=&place=Wing&recordsperpage=10&source=text&rtype=&rnumber=&p=50&move=n&nor=609&recfc=0

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Management

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: A/DQI/1

Collection: None

Description: Treatise of HMP Shepton Mallet compiled by F. J. Disney, BEM ISM. Includes correspondence regarding research carried out by F. Disney, photographs, copies of newspaper cuttings, newspaper cuttings, and printed ephemera.

Dates: 1610-1894

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SF/3762

Collection: Sanford Family of Nynehead

Description: Bundle of miscellaneous letters, bills, and papers etc. These include correspondence and papers relating to letter re Shepton Gaol.

Dates: c1851-1892

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SF/3766

Collection: Sanford Family of Nynehead

Description: Bundle of miscellaneous papers and correspondence etc. Including papers on Shepton Mallet Gaol (c.1864).

Dates: c1842-1892

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SF/7/6

Collection: Sanford Family of Nynehead

Description: Family correspondence. Includes correspondence and other papers relating to Shepton Mallet Gaol, including labour accounts.

Dates: 1831-1860s

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/12/1-2

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Miscellaneous papers and correspondence

Dates: 1814-1824

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/9/1-5

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Reports, commissions of enquiry, etc

Dates: 1819-1835

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGZ/1/1

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Drafts of deed of arrangement and associated papers relating to transfer of Wilton and Shepton Mallet Prisons to the Home Office, under the terms of the Prison Act (1877)

Dates: 1878

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGZ/10/11-12

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Printed dietaries, and associated papers, Wilton and Shepton Mallet.

Dates: 1850-1872

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGZ/12/2

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Draft order of court that Ilchester be maintained only as a common Gaol, and that Wilton and Shepton Mallet remain Houses of Correction

Dates: 1823

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGZ/12/3

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Contracts, correspondence etc relating to maintenance of prisoners from Bath at Ilchester and Shepton Mallet. Copy of grant of separate Court of Quarter Sessions to the Borough of Bath (1837).

Dates: 1836-1840

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/SR/368-797

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Sessions Rolls. Contain material relating to the administration of the county prisons, in particular regular Visiting Justices' reports, and governor, chaplain and surgeons' reports, but also special reports on the condition of the prisons, and orders.

Dates: 1800-1900

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SAS/H/281/5

Collection: Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society

Description: Shepton Mallet House of Correction. Visiting Magistrates journal.

Dates: 1824-1866

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SAS/H/281/6

Collection: Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society

Description: Shepton Mallet House of Correction. Visiting Justices minute book.

Dates: 1867-1878

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SAS/H/281/7

Collection: Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society

Description: Shepton Mallet House of Correction, Visiting Justices reports (copies)

Dates: 1850-1878

Finance

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/128

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Correspondence. Includes a meeting to deal with the Gaol accounts (Shepton Mallet Gaol) (24 June 1857)

Dates: 1856-1858

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SAS/H/281/8/2

Collection: Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society

Description: Shepton Mallet Prison quarterly and yearly abstracts of expenses

Dates: 1872-1877

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/SF/15/2/95

Collection: Sanford Family of Nynehead

Description: Return showing cost of conveying prisoners to Shepton Mallet Gaol from each Petty Sessional division

Dates: 1866-1867

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/6/1

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Miscellaneous vouchers

Dates: 1836

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGZ/5/2

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Draft return of expenses of repairs to Shepton Mallet, Ilchester and Wilton Gaols sent to Secretary of State (1810-1831)

Dates: 1831

Daily Business

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/7/2

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Governor's journal

Dates: 1876-1878

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/7/1

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Visitors' minute book

Dates: 1824-1927

Staff

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/141

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Correspondence. Includes papers on the appointment of chaplain at Shepton Mallet House of Correction (Apr-May 1859)

Dates: 1858-1859

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/144

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Correspondence. Includes applications amd testimonials for the position of Chaplain to Shepton Mallet Gaol

Dates: 1859

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/EV/67

Collection: Chichester of Northover and Stoke St Michael

Description: Wills, including of Jason West, Governor of House of Correction at Shepton Mallet (1863, proved 1864)

Dates: 1702-1864

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGZ/8/1

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Statements of governors' enoluments, Wilton and Shepton Mallet

Dates: 1817-1819

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/8/1-8

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Papers relating to appointment of prison officers, salaries etc

Dates: 1824-1854

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGZ/8/3

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Printed statement of salaries in the county prisons

Dates: 1843

Prisoners

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: A/BRI/1/1-3

Collection: None

Description: Shepton Mallet Gaol registers. Male and female.

Dates: 1883-1930

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/14/1-5

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Registers of prisoners.

Dates: 1856-1879

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/14/6

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Register of prisoners before and after trial (Bath only)

Dates: 1842-1871

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/14/7

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Register of prisoners after trial

Dates: 1871-1878

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/14/8

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Register of summary convictions

Dates: 1860-1878

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/17/1

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Register of debtors

Dates: 1842-1878

Archive name: The National Archives

Catalogue ref: HO23/13

Collection: Home Office

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

Dates: 1864-1865

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/135

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Papers received by Francis Henry Dickinson. Includes a return of prisoners, numbers of prisoners, nature of crime, and later notes (1827-1856).

Dates: 1827-1857

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/12/3

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Turnkey's certificates of receipt of prisoners.

Dates: 1833, 1848

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/13/1-2

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Gaol returns

Dates: 1809-1820

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/14/10

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Trial prisoners

Dates: 1868-1879

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/16/1-2

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Index to description book

Dates: 1855-1878

Land & Buildings

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/119

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Correspondence. Includes R. Gordon at Lewiston, concerning stabling attached to (Shepton Mallet?) Gaol (3 July 1856).

Dates: 1855-1857

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/38

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Correspondence. Including Quarter Session order that a Committee lately elected shall communicate with the Secretary of State relative to proposed alterations to Shepton Mallet House of Correction (28 March 1848).

Dates: 1845-1849

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/49

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Correspondence. Includes Quarter Session order approving plans for Shepton Mallet prison (19 October 1847).

Dates: 1847

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/1/1-6

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Deeds, abstracts of title and associated legal papers

Dates: 1748-1879

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/2/1-10

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Contracts, specifications, etc, relating to building work

Dates: 1814-1851

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/3/1-7

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Plans and elevations

Dates: 1817-1848

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/4/1-2

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Inventories, prison fixtures and equipment

Dates: 1819, 1848

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: Q/AGS/5/1-3

Collection: Somerset Quarter Sessions

Description: Accounts and correspondence relating to building work

Dates: 1830-1843

Archive name: Somerset Archives and Local Studies

Catalogue ref: DD/DN/4/4/31

Collection: Dickinson Family

Description: Correspondence. Including Richard Clerk concerning renovations to Shepton Mallet Gaol.

Dates: 1844-1850

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